India to finalize critical minerals stockpile policy within a month, says Mines Secretary
Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra announced that India will set out a detailed policy for stockpiling critical minerals within the next month, outlining release rules and eligible users.
At an Assocham gathering in New Delhi, Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra revealed that the Ministry of Mines expects to finalize a policy governing the stockpiling of critical minerals within roughly a month. The forthcoming guidelines will detail the quantities to be released, timing of releases, and the categories of users eligible for access. Chandra emphasized that domestic mining cannot meet all demand, so a strategic reserve is essential for minerals that are scarce locally.
The policy aligns with the ₹34,300 crore National Critical Mineral Mission, which includes auctioning domestic blocks, overseas acquisitions by Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, and a ₹1,500 crore recycling scheme. He also called for faster operationalisation of auctioned mines and greater domestic value-addition before export, mirroring practices in other mineral-producing nations.
Why it matters
The policy aims to secure essential minerals for India's tech and manufacturing sectors while reducing import dependence.
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