Archive · 21 Aug 2025
India to Explore Critical Minerals in Northeast, Reduce Imports
The government is looking for important minerals in northeastern India.
They will talk to the states about how to get these minerals out of the ground.
This is part of a plan to not rely on other countries for important materials.
The government is also working on new laws to help with this.
The Geological Survey of India is helping to find these minerals, and the government has a mission to find, process, and use these minerals for things like phones and airplanes.
Exploration of critical minerals is ongoing in Mizoram and Assam.
The government plans to consult with northeastern states regarding mining.
The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill 2025 aims to reduce import dependence.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has 23 ongoing mineral exploration projects in the Northeast.
The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) was approved by the Union Cabinet.
- Who
- Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, GSI, and the Union Cabinet.
- What
- Exploration of critical minerals, particularly in Mizoram and Assam.
- When
- Ongoing, with projects running from FY 2024-25 to 2030-31
- Where
- Mizoram, Assam, and potentially other northeastern states; nationwide projects.
- Why
- To reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic capability in the mining sector.
- Key Minerals
- Critical Minerals
- Location of Exploration
- Mizoram and Assam
- Government Body
- Geological Survey of India (GSI)
- Government Initiative
- National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)
- Mission Budget
- ₹16,300 crore
