New Delhi, Feb 26: A recent report by Ficci-Deloitte highlights the urgent need for a multifaceted approach, including policy reforms, technological advancements, and supply chain integration, to facilitate the recovery of critical minerals from processing waste in India.
With the increasing global shift towards clean energy, the demand for critical minerals has surged, playing a pivotal role in the development of electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, and renewable energy technologies. Additionally, these minerals are crucial for defense applications, including aircraft, missile systems, tanks, and naval corvettes.
India is progressively strengthening its critical mineral resource security. However, key challenges—such as limited exploration activities, prolonged mine development timelines, and processing constraints—necessitate alternative sources for mineral extraction. According to the report, processing waste from mining operations presents a viable solution to these challenges.
Several types of mineral waste in India, including fly ash, red mud, mine overburden, tailings, and metal slag, contain valuable resources like nickel, cobalt, copper, gallium, and titanium. Previously regarded as mere waste, these materials are now being re-evaluated for their potential in sustainable mineral recovery.
Globally, countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia have already adopted innovative approaches to extract minerals from mine tailings and waste dumps, backed by government-supported research initiatives. In India, similar efforts are underway, with research institutions collaborating with mining companies to develop advanced recovery methods.
By leveraging mine tailings for mineral extraction, India has the opportunity to reduce its reliance on imports while promoting sustainable mining practices. This approach aligns with the National Mineral Policy's vision of zero-waste mining, ensuring maximum resource utilization while upholding environmental conservation measures.
Responsible land management is a crucial component of this strategy, ensuring that mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects forest ecosystems and biodiversity. As India works toward its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets and aspires to become a global leader in net-zero commitments, establishing a sustainable ecosystem for critical mineral recovery is both timely and essential.
This strategic shift could play a transformative role in securing India's mineral resources while fostering a more sustainable and self-reliant future.
With the increasing global shift towards clean energy, the demand for critical minerals has surged, playing a pivotal role in the development of electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, and renewable energy technologies. Additionally, these minerals are crucial for defense applications, including aircraft, missile systems, tanks, and naval corvettes.
India is progressively strengthening its critical mineral resource security. However, key challenges—such as limited exploration activities, prolonged mine development timelines, and processing constraints—necessitate alternative sources for mineral extraction. According to the report, processing waste from mining operations presents a viable solution to these challenges.
Several types of mineral waste in India, including fly ash, red mud, mine overburden, tailings, and metal slag, contain valuable resources like nickel, cobalt, copper, gallium, and titanium. Previously regarded as mere waste, these materials are now being re-evaluated for their potential in sustainable mineral recovery.
Globally, countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia have already adopted innovative approaches to extract minerals from mine tailings and waste dumps, backed by government-supported research initiatives. In India, similar efforts are underway, with research institutions collaborating with mining companies to develop advanced recovery methods.
By leveraging mine tailings for mineral extraction, India has the opportunity to reduce its reliance on imports while promoting sustainable mining practices. This approach aligns with the National Mineral Policy's vision of zero-waste mining, ensuring maximum resource utilization while upholding environmental conservation measures.
Responsible land management is a crucial component of this strategy, ensuring that mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects forest ecosystems and biodiversity. As India works toward its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets and aspires to become a global leader in net-zero commitments, establishing a sustainable ecosystem for critical mineral recovery is both timely and essential.
This strategic shift could play a transformative role in securing India's mineral resources while fostering a more sustainable and self-reliant future.
