India Taps Mine Waste for Critical Minerals

India has introduced a new policy focused on recovering critical minerals from mine tailings and overburden. This strategic move targets waste materials from existing mines, which often contain valuable elements like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements essential for renewable energy technologies. The policy encourages a coordinated approach across ministries to identify and assess these secondary sources.

The government recognizes that critical minerals are not confined to traditional solid mineral resources. By analyzing tailings, dumps, and slags, India aims to unlock significant quantities of these strategic elements. This initiative is a part of the broader push for self-reliance and the development of green technologies, shifting exploration focus from bulk minerals to critical ones.

This comprehensive policy is expected to serve as a guideline for tapping critical minerals from both primary and secondary sources. It aims to increase domestic production, reduce India's import dependency, and bolster national self-sufficiency in vital minerals for future technological advancements.