Hyderabad, Sep 16 (UNI) union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy today underlined the growing importance of critical minerals in strengthening India’s economy and driving future technologies.
He was addressing the ‘Centre of Excellence’ seminar organised by the Central Department of Mines at T-Hub in Gachibowli as part of the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM).
The Minister said Hyderabad has emerged as a hub of creativity, science, and entrepreneurship, providing the right environment for research and innovation. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership over the past 11 years, scientific temper has grown across all sectors, leading to initiatives such as the NCMM.
Pointing to rising global demand, Kishan Reddy said the requirement for critical minerals will increase threefold by 2030 due to the expansion of EV batteries and renewable energy technologies.
“Critical minerals will play a key role in making India self-reliant and the third-largest economy by 2047,” he said.
The Minister highlighted reforms in the mining sector, including record coal production of 1 billion tonnes, the first-ever auction of offshore mineral blocks, and new initiatives in underground coal gasification.
He announced that the sixth round of auctions, covering 23 critical mineral blocks, has now been launched, with states such as Telangana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal participating for the first time.
Kishan Reddy further said the union Cabinet has approved a ₹1,500 crore scheme to boost recycling, expected to attract investments worth ₹8,000 crore and generate 70,000 jobs. He also cited international collaborations, including lithium mining projects in Argentina and talks with Zambia and Chile, along with MoUs signed with Japan and Peru.
Recalling the evolution of national slogans from ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ to ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’, the Minister said Prime Minister Modi’s call underscores research and creativity as the foundation of a developed India.
He also pointed to India’s growing academic and scientific achievements from 46 institutions making it to the QS World Rankings 2025, to the expansion of IITs and milestones in space exploration. “Centres of Excellence should match this spirit and contribute to meeting our mineral needs,” he added.
Kishan Reddy stressed that District Mineral Foundation funds must benefit workers and locals, noting that coal miners are now being provided insurance coverage of up to ₹1 crore in recognition of their service.
