Cabinet Approved National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM)

Learn about the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), its objectives, significance, and role in securing India's critical mineral supply for strategic industries.

Table of Contents

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved ‘National Critical Mineral Mission’ to build a resilient Value Chain for critical mineral resources.

About National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM)

It is a strategic initiative announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 to help India become self-reliant in critical minerals.
The government has waived customs duty on 25 critical minerals and blister copper.

Objectives of the Mission

Streamline the supply chain of critical minerals by boosting domestic output and recycling critical minerals like copper and lithium.
Reduce India’s import dependency on critical minerals, which is currently 100% for some elements
Identify Critical Minerals and plan for their acquisition and preservation.
Increase India’s capacity for refining and processing critical minerals and find substitutes for critical minerals through R&D.

Key Features of NCMM

Total Outlay

₹34,300 crore over seven years

₹16,300 crore government expenditure
₹18,000 crore investment from PSUs and private sector

Strengthening Domestic Exploration and Mining

Exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing and recycling
Targets 1,200 critical mineral exploration projects by 2030-31
Plans to auction over 100 mineral blocks

Establishing Infrastructure & Research Facilities

4 Mineral Processing Parks
Setting up a Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals
₹1,000 crore from Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) for R&D.

What are Critical Minerals?

➔ They are Mineral Resources, both primary and processed, that are essential inputs in modern technologies, economies, and national security.

➔ They are characterised by the risk of supply chain disruption due to non-availability and price volatility.

➔ Recently the Union Government has released a list of 30 critical minerals.

➔ These minerals are Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, PGE, Phosphorous, Potash, REE, Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium, and Cadmium

Critical Minerals1