NE BUSINESS BUREAU
CHENNAI, JUNE 11
In
a landmark initiative that could reshape India’s strategic minerals landscape, NLC India Limited, CSIR-CECRI, critical minerals India, rare earth elements, National Critical Mineral Mission, Neyveli mines, mineral beneficiation, extraction technology, secondary resources, mine tailings, overburden recovery, sustainable mining, Viksit Bharat 2047, strategic minerals, resource security, reinforcing the nation’s drive towards resource security and technological self-reliance.
NLCIL signed an MoU with CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi to collaborate on beneficiation and extraction technologies for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other critical minerals from secondary resources.
The MoU was signed by Shri I.S. Jasper Rose, ED (Mines & Land), NLCIL and Dr. K.… pic.twitter.com/pXye4kDpZJ
— NLC India Limited (Official) (@nlcindialimited) June 11, 2026
- Strategic partnership aims to unlock rare earth elements and critical minerals from mine waste and overburden through cutting-edge technologies
- Collaboration strengthens India’s National Critical Mineral Mission and accelerates the journey towards resource security and self-reliance
- Neyveli emerges as a pioneering hub for sustainable extraction of strategic minerals from secondary resources
- Joint research to develop globally competitive beneficiation and recovery technologies aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at Neyveli on June 10, marks a significant milestone in advancing the objectives of the Government of India’s National Critical Mineral Mission, with a strong focus on recovering valuable minerals from secondary resources such as overburden, mine waste and tailings.
The agreement was signed by I.S. Jasper Rose, Executive Director (Mines & Land), NLCIL, and K. Ramesha, Director, CSIR-CECRI, in the presence of Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman and Managing Director, NLCIL, along with senior officials of the organisation.
NLC India has been actively exploring opportunities for the recovery of critical and strategic minerals from both primary and secondary sources, recognising their growing importance in clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and national security.
Further underscoring its leadership in this domain, the Chairman and Managing Director of NLCIL is a member of the NITI Aayog committee constituted to examine the potential recovery of critical minerals from secondary resources, including overburden, lignite and coal deposits, mine waste and tailings.
As part of this initiative, NLCIL has already undertaken extensive studies to evaluate the occurrence and recovery potential of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other trace elements embedded within secondary source materials.
Under the new collaboration, comprehensive scientific studies will be conducted on overburden materials and mine tailings generated from NLCIL’s Neyveli mines to assess the feasibility of extracting Rare Earth Elements and other critical minerals. The partnership will also extend similar research to other mining and exploration projects of NLCIL, with the objective of developing economically viable and environmentally sustainable resource recovery technologies.
Speaking on the occasion, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman and Managing Director, NLC India Limited, said: “The collaboration between NLCIL and CSIR-CECRI will strengthen research efforts towards the beneficiation and extraction of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other critical minerals associated with overburden, tailings, and other secondary resources. The partnership will facilitate the development of innovative and sustainable technologies for unlocking the value of these resources, contribute to the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission, and align with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by strengthening India’s self-reliance in critical minerals, fostering technological innovation, and enabling a secure and sustainable energy future.”
Highlighting the significance of the alliance, K. Ramesha, Director, CSIR-CECRI, said: “Both NLCIL and CSIR-CECRI have been serving the nation for more than seven decades and have a strong presence in Tamil Nadu. This strategic partnership will lead to meaningful research outcomes and technological advancements in the field of critical and strategic minerals, thereby supporting India’s efforts towards resource security and self-reliance in critical mineral supply chains.”
The collaboration represents a crucial step towards transforming mining waste into strategic national assets through science and innovation. By focusing on sustainable extraction technologies and circular resource utilisation, the partnership is expected to reduce import dependence while supporting India’s clean energy transition and advanced manufacturing ambitions.
As the global race for critical minerals intensifies, the NLCIL-CSIR-CECRI alliance positions India to harness untapped domestic resources and emerge as a leader in next-generation mineral recovery technologies, laying the foundation for a resilient and self-sufficient industrial future.
