National Critical & Strategic Minerals Committee meeting held

The National Critical & Strategic Minerals Committee, constituted by NITI Aayog, met in Hyderabad to review India’s mineral security strategy. Singareni CMD said the company is exploring rare earth extraction, while members stressed faster exploration to reduce import dependence

Peddapalli: The second meeting of the National Critical & Strategic Minerals Committee, constituted by NITI Aayog, was held at Singareni Bhavan in Hyderabad on Thursday under the chairmanship of Dr D K Singh.

The committee highlighted the importance of critical minerals for India’s economic growth, clean energy transition and technological advancement. Singareni Collieries Company Limited Chairman and Managing Director Dr Buddha Prakash Jyothi, a member of the committee, reaffirmed Singareni’s commitment to the national mission.

---

He said Singareni was exploring the extraction of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from overburden and clays in opencast mines, apart from recovering minerals from fly ash and bottom ash at the Singareni Thermal Power Plant.

Committee members stressed that minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements are vital for renewable energy, electric vehicles and defence sectors. They called for faster exploration, stronger research and coordinated efforts to reduce import dependence and ensure long-term resource security.