.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Karo Sambhav collaborates with leading organisations to jointly develop industry frameworks, standards, governance mechanisms, systems and processes that advance the transition to circular economy. know more about our alliances.
Close x
Critical Minerals are natural resources—such as lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, nickel, and graphite—that are essential to the economy but face a high supply risk. They are crucial in manufacturing products like electric vehicle (EV) batteries, wind turbines, and aerospace components. However, their supply is at risk due to factors such as resource scarcity and geopolitical control. For instance, rare earth elements are predominantly mined in China, giving the country significant influence over global supply chains.
Different countries compile their own lists of critical minerals influenced by their specific economic needs, dependencies, and vulnerabilities in their material supply chain. For example, the European Union (EU) has identified 34 Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) in its 2023 list, while the United States has named 50 critical minerals, based on the U.S. Geological Survey's 2022 assessment.
Although the methodology varies from country to country, most nations assess the criticality of minerals based on two primary parameters:
One of the benefits of defining critical minerals is that they help drive focused research and development. For example, critical mineral lists have led to increased research on alternative materials, exploring substitutes that can replace them in various applications, and on recycling technologies, which help recover these minerals from end-of-life products. It also enables countries to take strategic steps to secure their supply of critical minerals, such as strengthening specific global partnerships.
As per the Ministry of Mines, India has a list of 30 Critical Minerals as of 2023. They are: Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, Platinum Group Elements (PGE), Phosphorus, Potash, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium, and Cadmium.
The Ministry of Mines constituted a committee for the identification of critical and strategic minerals. The committee followed a three-stage assessment to create a list of minerals critical to India. They first conducted a comparative study of global critical minerals. Then, they held inter-ministerial consultations with representatives from various relevant ministries. Finally, they identified critical minerals using an empirical formula. By comparing the findings from all three methods, they finalized a list of 30 critical minerals.
For more information, please go through the report shared by the Ministry of Mines: https://mines.gov.in/admin/download/649d4212cceb01688027666.pdf
India's Critical Minerals strategy focuses on strengthening every stage of their value chain, which are:
Recycling plays a crucial role in the conversation around critical minerals. As these resources face complete depletion, recycling offers a sustainable solution, reducing dependence on mining, which is both resource-intensive and environmentally damaging. A strong recycling system also enhances a country’s self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on imports and minimizing risks from geopolitical uncertainties or supply chain disruptions.
Karo Sambhav is part of research projects focused on the recovery of critical minerals from e-waste. To learn more about them, please click on the links below:
The Recovery of Rare-Earth Elements through E-Waste Recycling
Indium: The Metal Driving Modern Tech
Karo Sambhav collaborates with leading organisations to jointly develop industry frameworks, standards, governance mechanisms, systems and processes that advance the transition to circular economy. know more about our alliances.
