Lok Sabha Question No. 2198 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-02
Subject: Critical Minerals
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Prataprao  Jadhav, Shrirang Appa Barne, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2198

ANSWERED ON 02.08.2023

## CRITICAL MINERALS

2198.  SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has set up an expert committee to identify the critical minerals,  which  are  essential  for  economic  development  and  acquiring  self  reliance in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the said expert committee has submitted their recommendations to the Government;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the time by which it is likely to be done;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to incentivize the private sector participation  in  all  spheres  of  minerals  exploration  with  a  focus  on  precious  and critical ones; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the manner in which it is likely to help in fulfilling the demand of critical minerals in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a)  &  (b):    Yes,  Sir.  The  Ministry  of  Mines  has  constituted  a  seven-member committee under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines vide order No.  11/1/2022-IC  dated  01.11.2022  to  identify  the  list  of  minerals  critical  to  our country.
- (c): The committee has submitted its report of recommended a total 30 minerals as critical  for  India.    Based  on  the  inputs,  Government  has  released  the  list  of  30 critical minerals for India.  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.
- (d)  &  (e):    The  Central  Government  has  taken  several  steps  to  incentivize  private sector  participation  in  mineral  exploration.  Accredited  private  exploration  agencies which have been notified under the second proviso to Section 4(1) of the MMDR Act

have  been  allowed  to  carryout  exploration  without  prospecting  licence.  These agencies have also been made eligible for obtaining funding under National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET). So far, a total of 14 private agencies have been notified by Central Government under Section 4(1) of MMDR Act. These agencies are in the process  of  taking  up  11  numbers  of  exploration  projects  from  the  NMET  fund. Besides, any person can submit a proposal to the State Government for notification of  an  area  for  auction  of  composite  licence.  Also,  incentives  such  as  Partial Reimbursement  of  Exploration  Expenses  from  NMET  for  holders  of  Composite Licenses (CL) for certain  deep-seated and  critical mineral commodities  have  been introduced for encouraging private participation in mineral exploration.

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