New Delhi, Sept 26 (UNI) President Droupadi Murmu today emphasised that given the current geopolitical situation, India must become self-reliant in Rare Earth Elements (REEs) production.
Stating that REEs are the backbone of modern technology as they power everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to defence systems and clean energy solutions, Murmu said, “This is crucial for achieving the goal of a developed India and ensuring national security, an official statement said.
She underlined that REEs are considered rare not because they are scarce, but because the process of refining them and making them usable is extremely complex. She stated that developing indigenous technology to accomplish this complex process would be a major contribution to national interest.
The President presented the National Geoscience Awards-2024 for outstanding contributions in the field of Geoscience at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre here.
She emphasized that mining plays a vital role in economic development and generates significant employment opportunities. However, she acknowledged the industry’s negative impacts, including displacement of local residents, deforestation and pollution of air and water.
“Mining provides resources for economic development and creates huge employment opportunities. However, this industry also has numerous adverse effects, including the displacement of residents, deforestation, and pollution of air and water,”
“Minerals have played a crucial role in the development of human civilization. Minerals found in the Earth’s crust have provided the foundation for human life and shaped our trade and industry. The Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age — the major stages of human civilization’s development — are named after minerals. Industrialization would have been unimaginable without minerals like iron and coal,” she emphasised.
The President highlighted that India is surrounded by oceans on three sides. The depths of these oceans hold reserves of many valuable minerals. Geoscientists play a crucial role in utilizing these resources for the nation’s development.
She urged them to develop technologies that can harness the resources beneath the seafloor for the nation’s benefit while minimizing damage to marine biodiversity.
Murmu said the role of geoscientists isn’t limited to mining. The impact of mining on geo-environmental sustainability also needs to be addressed by them. Technology needs to be developed and deployed to add value to mineral products and minimize wastage. This is crucial for sustainable mineral development.
She appreciated that the Ministry of Mines is committed to sustainability and innovation and is promoting AI, machine learning and drone-based surveys in the mining industry. She also praised the steps taken by the Ministry for the recovery of valuable elements from mine tailings.
