Lok Sabha Question No. 231 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Self Reliance in Crucial Minerals
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Balabhadra Majhi, Shri Tatkare Sunil Dattatrey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 231

ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## SELF RELIANCE IN CRUCIAL MINERALS

*231. SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI: SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to make India 'self-reliant' in crucial minerals; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether  the  Government  has  introduced  any  legislation  or  amendments  to streamline the self-reliant aim; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 231 FOR ANSWER ON 07.08.2024 ASKED BY SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI AND SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY REGARDING

SELF RELIANCE IN CRUCIAL MINERALS: (a)  to  (d) Yes Sir.  The  Central  Government  has  undertaken  several  initiatives  for making India self-reliant in critical minerals. The Mines and Minerals (Development and  Regulation)  Act,  1957,  has  been  amended  in  2023  with  the  aim  to  enhance exploration and mining of critical and strategic minerals, ensuring self-sufficiency in sectors like high-tech electronics and renewable energy. Through this amendment, the Central Government has been empowered to auction blocks for 24 critical and strategic minerals. So far 14 blocks have been successfully auctioned. In order to promote exploration of critical and deep-seated minerals, a new mineral concession namely,  Exploration  Licence  has  been  introduced  for  29  critical  and  deep-seated minerals, which will permit the licencee to undertake reconnaissance and prospecting operations for these minerals. Ministry has given thrust on the enhancement of the exploration program for the critical minerals. Geological Survey of India is a nodal agency of the Government of India for exploration  of  mineral  across  the  country.  Accordingly,  during  the  last  three  years (2021-22 to 2023-24), GSI had taken up 368 mineral exploration projects on various critical and strategic minerals. During the current FS 2024-25, GSI has taken up 196 mineral exploration projects of critical and strategic minerals. To facilitate,  encourage  and  incentivize  private  sector  participation  in  all  sphere  of mineral  exploration  with  focus  on  Critical  and  strategic  minerals  and  deep  seated minerals,  National  Mineral  Exploration  Trust  (NMET)  has  issued  two  schemes  for partial reimbursement of exploration expenses for holders of Composite Licences and Exploration licences. Under these Schemes, up to 50% of the exploration expenditure incurred by the licence holders are reimbursed. Further,  to  encourage  private  participation  in  exploration,  Ministry  of  Mines  has notified  23  private  exploration  agencies  (NPEAs).  These  agencies  are  taking  up exploration projects through funding from National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET).

In 2023, the Ministry of Mines enlarged the scope of the S&T program by launching S&T-PRISM (Promotion of Research and Innovation in Start-ups and MSMEs) to fund research and innovation in Start-ups and MSMEs working in the field of mining and mineral sector in order to bridge up the gap between R&D and commercialisation.

*****