New Delhi: In a significant step towards strengthening India’s critical mineral supply chain and promoting sustainable mining practices, NITI Aayog is working on a comprehensive policy framework to enable the recovery of critical minerals from mine waste. The initiative aims to unlock the economic potential of mining residues while reducing environmental impacts and supporting the country’s clean energy transition.
The proposed policy is expected to encourage the extraction of valuable minerals such as lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, nickel, and graphite from mine tailings, overburden, and other mining waste generated over decades. Advances in mineral processing technologies have made it increasingly feasible to recover these strategic resources from previously discarded material.
The initiative aligns with India’s broader objective of securing a reliable domestic supply of critical minerals that are essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, semiconductors, batteries, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. By utilizing existing mine waste, the government also aims to reduce dependence on imports while minimizing the need for fresh mining operations.
The policy is likely to recommend measures such as incentives for mining companies, streamlined regulatory approvals, investment in research and development, and public-private partnerships to promote commercial-scale recovery of critical minerals. It may also establish guidelines for scientific assessment and mapping of mine waste deposits across the country.
Experts believe that recovering minerals from mine waste can help transform environmental liabilities into valuable economic assets, generate new employment opportunities, and contribute to the principles of a circular economy. The move is expected to complement India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen mineral security and support the country’s ambitious clean energy and industrial development goals.
Once finalized, the policy could pave the way for more efficient utilization of mining resources while enhancing sustainability in the Indian mining sector.