US Consul and Singareni chief discuss critical mineral ties and data‑centre power plans

US Consul Meredith Metzler met with Singareni Collieries chairman Dr. Buddhaprakash Jyoti on Friday to discuss cooperation in the critical minerals field. The meeting took place at SCCL’s corporate office in Hyderabad and was led by the US Consulate’s political and economic chief. Jyoti said SCCL, long known for coal mining, has started projects to extract rare earth elements and other strategic minerals from the overburden of its open‑cast mines. He added that the company has set up a Geo‑Science Laboratory in Kothagudem to support these efforts and is looking for foreign partners and technology partners. US officials responded that several American firms are interested in joint ventures and welcomed the chance to work with SCCL. They also invited the Indian firm to attend a critical minerals conference in the United States scheduled for April next year. In parallel, the US team expressed interest in locating data‑centre facilities in Telangana, citing the state’s reliable power and water supply. SCCL proposed building pumped‑storage power plants in exhausted mine pits to provide steady electricity for such centres, and mentioned possible water sourcing from the nearby Godavari River. The delegation noted that some US companies already run data centres in Telangana and see the Singareni region as a promising site. Both sides agreed to continue talks on investment and technical collaboration.

Context

Critical minerals such as rare earth elements are essential for electronics, renewable energy and defence equipment. Countries worldwide are seeking reliable sources and partnerships to secure supply chains. Pumped‑storage plants use water flow between two reservoirs to generate power when demand peaks, making them a good fit for data‑centre energy needs. Telangana’s existing infrastructure and water resources make it attractive for such projects.