New scheme on cards for lithium and nickel processing

New Support Plan

The government plans to launch a new scheme for lithium and nickel, which are key minerals for making batteries. Keshav Chandra, Secretary in the Ministry of Mines, shared this update at the 60th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries.

State-Wise Focus

Officials will share more details about the scheme after receiving final approvals. The government has already chosen four states to set up processing plants for critical minerals. Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh will focus on rare earth processing, Odisha will work on nickel, and Maharashtra will handle lithium. Chandra explained that Gujarat already has heavy rare earth elements and processing technology, while Odisha has local nickel reserves and a good eastern location to bring in imported nickel from Indonesia and other nations.

Key Concerns

At the meeting, Chandra pointed out two major problems in the sector. First, he criticized the practice of holding on to mining blocks without starting work, calling it speculation that helps no one. Second, he raised concerns about exports, noting that India exports nearly half of some important minerals that it also imports. He mentioned that KABIL has signed a deal with Argentina for five blocks to secure minerals that are not found easily inside India. Finally, Chandra stressed the need for local colleges and industries to work together to build processing technology within the country, as foreign nations often share only older technology or charge very high prices for it.