The government is likely to announce its Critical Minerals Policy within a month to help secure supplies of resources required by strategic sectors such as defence, aerospace and energy. The policy is nearing finalisation, Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra said.
“We are on the verge of finalising the policy on stockpiling of critical minerals which will be announced in about a month’s time,” Chandra told reporters on the sidelines of the India Mines and Minerals Conclave 2026, organised by industry body Assocham.
Critical Minerals Policy to Support Strategic Supplies
Alongside the proposed stockpiling policy, the government is working on four dedicated critical minerals processing parks in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. According to the official, the parks aim to accelerate value addition for key battery materials.
The government has already identified more than 30 critical minerals, considering the needs of sectors including defence, agriculture, energy, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications. These minerals are important raw materials for a range of strategic and industrial applications.
Copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements, for instance, support clean energy technologies and their expanding applications in wind turbines, electricity networks, electric vehicles and battery manufacturing.
Government Focuses on Exploration and Processing
Addressing the conference, Chandra highlighted the sector’s progress through policy reforms. He also stressed the need to accelerate mineral exploration, strengthen domestic critical mineral capabilities, promote recycling and beneficiation, and adopt modern mining practices.
He called for innovative approaches to use available geological information and apply new technologies to mineral exploration and resource development.
“Any country which has made spectacular progress is also utilising its wealth and infusing new technology, looking at the entire resource from a new perspective altogether,” he said.
Critical Minerals Mission Targets a Resilient Ecosystem
Kadam Sandeep Vasant, Joint Secretary-cum-Mission Head of the National Critical Mineral Mission, highlighted the importance of building a self-reliant and resilient critical minerals ecosystem in India.
He emphasised the role of critical minerals in supporting strategic sectors such as electronics, defence, space research and nuclear energy. Vasant also highlighted the ₹1,500-crore incentive scheme for critical mineral recycling.
The proposed stockpiling policy, processing parks and recycling incentives form part of the broader focus on strengthening India’s critical mineral capabilities and supporting supply requirements across key industries.
