National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)

Context:

The Ministry of Mines has released guidelines to establish Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to boost innovation and research in critical mineral technologies.

What is NCMM?

The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is a flagship programme launched in Union Budget 2024–25 to secure the sustainable and resilient supply of critical minerals vital for:

• Clean energy transition
• Technological innovation
• Defence and strategic autonomy
• Net Zero 2070 goals
• Atmanirbhar Bharat and energy security

Nodal Ministry:

Ministry of Mines, Government of India

Objectives:

• Ensure reliable supply of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements (REEs), graphite, nickel, etc.
• Strengthen domestic exploration, mining, processing, and recycling
• Reduce import dependency and environmental damage
• Build strategic partnerships for overseas mineral acquisition

Major Components of NCMM:

Component	Details
1. Exploration & Mining	Over 1200 exploration projects; auction of 100+ blocks to increase domestic reserves
2. Overseas Acquisition	Strategic investments in countries like Argentina, Chile, Australia through PSUs/private players
3. Recycling & Circular Economy	SOPs for mineral recycling; incentives to promote reuse and reduce environmental harm
4. Research & Innovation	Establish Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for R&D in extraction and processing
5. Skill Development	Specialized training, new academic curricula, and scholarships to build a talent pipeline
6. Infrastructure Development	Establishment of mineral processing parks, national mineral stockpiles, and logistics networks

Significance:

• Reduces India’s vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions
• Supports energy transition technologies (EVs, solar panels, wind turbines)
• Aligns with strategic autonomy goals in defence and semiconductors
• Encourages public-private innovation in mining and metallurgy