6 Pivotal Critical Minerals Stories for Indian Professionals
Press Monitor's media monitoring of Indian publications delivers essential press review and media intelligence on the news on critical minerals — from a Rs 34,300 crore national mission to BRICS-driven supply chain alliances and lithium acquisition talks across three continents. Here are the six most consequential stories defining the sector today.
1. Rs 34,300 Crore Mineral Mission for India
A front-page report in Millennium Post says India is advancing its National Critical Mineral Mission, backed by Rs 34,300 crore over seven years, to reduce reliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains. The initiative aims to conduct 1,200 exploration projects, auction 100 mining blocks, and secure 50 overseas assets by 2030-31 while incentivising battery recycling. Policymakers stress that establishing domestic refining capacity and strategic stockpiles are essential for national security amid global green transitions.
India is advancing its National Critical Mineral Mission with a Rs 34,300 crore outlay over seven years, targeting 1,200 exploration projects, 100 mining block auctions, and 50 overseas assets by 2030-31. The mission also incentivises battery recycling to build domestic refining capacity and strategic stockpiles — essential for national security as the world transitions to green energy. According to Press Monitor's tracking of Indian publications, this mission marks a structural shift from import dependency to self-reliance in strategic minerals.
2. India's Critical Mineral Mission
A front-page report in Millennium Post says Prime Minister Modi's warning at the BRICS Summit against the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals deserves attention beyond the diplomatic setting. India faces vulnerability from heavy dependence on imports for strategic minerals like lithium and cobalt, with processing capacity concentrated in China, prompting a National Critical Mineral Mission backed by Rs 34,300 crore to expand exploration and domestic refining capacity. The article argues mineral security must become a core component of economic and national security policy to avoid exchanging oil dependency for mineral dependency.
Prime Minister Modi's warning at the BRICS Summit against the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals underscores a deeper vulnerability: India's heavy dependence on imports for lithium and cobalt, with processing concentrated in China. The National Critical Mineral Mission, backed by Rs 34,300 crore, aims to expand exploration and domestic refining. Press Monitor's tracking of Indian publications notes that mineral security must become a core component of economic and national security policy — avoiding a simple swap from oil dependency to mineral dependency.
3. India In Talks With Argentina Australia Chile For Lithium
A front-page report in Times of India says Coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy announced India is in talks with Argentina to acquire five more lithium blocks, with discussions also underway with Australia and Chile. The Centre is working on a Rs 1,500 crore incentive scheme for recycling critical minerals from e-waste, having shortlisted 58 companies from 125 applicants in the first phase, while 30 minerals have been identified as strategically important under the National Critical Mineral Mission launched in 2025 with a financial outlay of Rs 34,300 crore. Officials noted that 300 critical mineral exploration projects have been taken up by the Geological Survey of India this year, and India has signed a strategic framework with the US for mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earths.
Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy announced India is in talks with Argentina to acquire five more lithium blocks, with discussions also underway with Australia and Chile. The Centre is working on a Rs 1,500 crore incentive scheme for recycling critical minerals from e-waste, having shortlisted 58 companies from 125 applicants. The Geological Survey of India has taken up 300 critical mineral exploration projects this year, and India has signed a strategic framework with the US for mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earths. Tracked by Press Monitor.
4. BRICS Push For Critical Minerals
A front-page report in Business Standard says BRICS countries have called for reliable, diversified, and resilient supply chains for critical minerals, underlining their strategic importance for clean-energy technologies and energy security. The grouping stressed the need for benefit sharing and economic diversification in resource-rich countries while preserving their sovereign rights over mineral resources.
BRICS countries have called for reliable, diversified, and resilient supply chains for critical minerals, underlining their strategic importance for clean-energy technologies and energy security. The grouping stressed benefit sharing and economic diversification in resource-rich countries while preserving sovereign rights over mineral resources. Press Monitor's tracking of Indian publications highlights this as a pivotal moment for mineral supply chain diplomacy and print media monitoring of the sector.
5. Modi warns Brics against tech weaponisation
A front-page report in Business Line says Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned at the New Delhi Brics Summit that weaponising technology and critical minerals could hinder shared progress, urging members to prioritise inclusive technology adoption. Highlighting supply chain vulnerabilities linked to China's export restrictions, he emphasised that Brics must extend these benefits to the Global South while fostering environmentally sustainable growth. Modi also outlined new cooperative frameworks for disease early warning systems, disaster management, startup innovation, and digital agriculture to strengthen regional resilience.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned at the BRICS Summit that weaponising technology and critical minerals could hinder shared progress, urging members to prioritise inclusive technology adoption. He highlighted supply chain vulnerabilities linked to China's export restrictions and emphasised that BRICS must extend benefits to the Global South. The summit outlined frameworks for an integrated early warning system, digital agriculture, and a startup innovation fund. Tracked by Press Monitor.
6. Brics Council Pushes Supply Chain Resilience
A front-page report in Mint says Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Brics Leadership Summit in New Delhi, warning against the weaponization of technology and critical minerals while calling for inclusive technology adoption. The Brics Business Council outlined recommendations across resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability to strengthen supply chains and boost collaboration in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. These measures aim to enhance economic growth and national security among member nations amid global disruptions.
The Brics Business Council outlined recommendations across resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability to strengthen supply chains and boost collaboration in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for inclusive technology adoption and warned against the weaponisation of critical minerals. These measures aim to enhance economic growth and national security among member nations amid global disruptions. Press Monitor's tracking of Indian publications confirms the Brics Business Council's growing role in shaping mineral supply policy.
Which of these developments will most accelerate India's critical minerals independence? Comment below and tag the stakeholders driving these changes.