The Critical Minerals Summit: Enhancing Beneficiation and Processing Capabilities
The Critical Minerals Summit: Enhancing Beneficiation and Processing Capabilities
The “Critical Minerals Summit: Enhancing Beneficiation and Processing Capabilities” kicked off today at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. This summit aims to foster collaboration and innovation in critical minerals beneficiation and processing. The opening ceremony was presided over by Shri V L Kantha Rao, Secretary of Mines, under the patronage of the Ministry of Mines.
Exploring the Critical Minerals Landscape
The summit featured exhibition pavilions showcasing a diverse array of minerals sourced from both terrestrial and marine environments. This provided attendees with a comprehensive view of the critical minerals landscape. The exhibition highlighted the importance of these minerals in various industries and their role in supporting India’s rapid economic growth and clean energy aspirations.
In his keynote address, Shri V L Kantha Rao emphasized India’s urgent need for robust exploration and utilization of critical minerals. He highlighted recent government initiatives, such as mineral block auctions, aimed at accelerating domestic mineral exploration and production. These initiatives are crucial for supporting the nation’s economic development and low-carbon energy transition.
Partnerships for Knowledge Support
During the summit, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Mines and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation. This MOU initiates a partnership between the Ministry of Mines, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), and TERI. The partnership aims to provide knowledge support in the field of critical minerals, which are crucial for India’s economic development, national security, and low-carbon energy transition.
This collaboration will facilitate research and development in mineral processing and beneficiation. It will also contribute to infrastructure development, such as the Indo-Australian Critical Minerals Research Hub at IIT Hyderabad. These initiatives will enhance India’s capabilities in processing and beneficiation, enabling the country to meet domestic and global market demands.
Panel Discussions and Technology Sessions
The summit also featured dynamic panel discussions on crucial topics related to building India’s processing and beneficiation capabilities. These discussions focused on strategies for scaling up operations in both domestic and global markets. The Ministry of Mines reiterated its commitment to infrastructure development for research and development in mineral processing, highlighting initiatives like the Indo-Australian Critical Minerals Research Hub at IIT Hyderabad.
Additionally, a technology session was held, providing an opportunity for private companies, research institutions, and industry experts to showcase their innovative technologies and solutions in critical minerals beneficiation and processing. This session facilitated knowledge exchange and collaboration, further advancing India’s capabilities in this field.
Conclusion
The Critical Minerals Summit: Enhancing Beneficiation and Processing Capabilities is a significant event that brings together stakeholders from various sectors to foster collaboration and innovation. The exhibition pavilions, panel discussions, and technology sessions provide a platform for knowledge sharing and exchange of ideas. The partnerships initiated during the summit will contribute to India’s economic development, national security, and low-carbon energy transition by enhancing the country’s capabilities in critical minerals beneficiation and processing.
