8 August 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC

1. Geological Survey of India Hosts National Conference on Critical Minerals at Jabalpur

Source – Press Information Bureau (PIB) – Ministry of Jal Shakti (8 August 2025)

Topic: GS Paper 3 – Mineral Resources; Energy; Infrastructure; Technology

Context

This press release announces a two-day national conference on “Critical minerals: exploration and exploitation” held on 7–8 August 2025 in Jabalpur, organized by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) as part of its 175th Foundation Year celebrations.

Content: 

Overview

• Objective: The conference serves as a comprehensive platform to deliberate on India’s strategies for exploring and harnessing critical minerals— vital to the nation’s clean energy transition, technological self-reliance, and strategic autonomy. 

Key Highlights

• Inaugural remarks by Prof. Rajesh Kumar Verma (VC, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya):

  • Emphasized the urgent need to accelerate exploration and reduce critical mineral imports.

  • Underscored critical minerals’ role in India’s clean energy and technology ambitions. 

• Remarks by Shri Asit Saha (DG, GSI):

  • Reviewed GSI’s 175-year legacy—from coal exploration to leading geoscientific innovations.

  • Highlighted the National Critical Mineral Mission and stressed securing strategic mineral resources amidst global competition. 

• Insights from Shri I. D. Narayan (CMD, MECL):

  • Applauded GSI’s pioneering work in critical mineral block auctioning.

  • Highlighted collaborative exploration efforts in Zambia and stressed innovation and partnerships for mineral self‑reliance. 

• Remarks by Shri Dheeraj Pande (Director, AMD):

  • Highlighted the significance of atomic and rare earth minerals in supporting India’s energy security and digital growth.

  • Called for deeper inter-agency coordination to unlock India’s mineral potential.

Technical Sessions

• Covered themes such as: geological frameworks, mineral-system modeling, geophysical strategies, innovative exploration tools, sustainable mining, policy reforms, and critical mineral recycling.

• Featured papers, posters, and research abstracts presented by domain experts.

Way Forward

• Strategic Importance:
  Critical minerals underpin global clean energy technologies—wind turbines, EV batteries, semiconductors. India’s focus aligns with global decarbonisation trends and geopolitical shifts in resource competition.

• GSI’s Evolving Role:
  Transition from traditional mining focus to strategic mission-led exploration reflects institutional modernization.

• Collaboration & Innovation:
  Partnerships with academia (e.g., IITs), research institutions, MECL, AMD, and international projects (e.g., Zambia) showcase a multidimensional approach to resource mapping and development.

• Policy Implications:
  Emphasis on policy reform, sustainable practices, and recycling signals a holistic approach to mineral resource strategy—vital for long-term resource security.

Way Forward

• Develop a robust national framework for critical mineral mapping, extraction, and downstream processing.

• Strengthen inter-agency coordination and public-private-academia partnerships for research and development.

• Incentivize sustainable mining and critical mineral recycling.

• Formulate strategic import-replacement policies to reduce dependency and bolster self-sufficiency.

Practice Question: “Critically analyze India’s approach to achieving strategic autonomy in critical minerals in the context of its clean energy and technological ambitions. What are the key challenges and policy measures needed to ensure resource security?”

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