Critical Minerals

Why in news?

• The Government of India has released a list of 30 critical minerals for India.

About Critical Minerals:

• These are minerals that are essential for economic development and national security, and the lack of availability of these minerals or the concentration of extraction or processing in a few geographical locations could potentially lead to supply chain vulnerabilities and even disruption of supplies.

Declaration of Critical Minerals:

• It is a dynamic process, and it can evolve over time as new technologies, market dynamics, and geopolitical considerations emerge.
• Different countries may have their own unique lists of critical minerals based on their specific circumstances and priorities.
  • The US has declared 50 minerals critical in light of their role in national security or economic development.
  • Japan has identified a set of 31 minerals as critical for their economy.
  • The UK considers 18 minerals critical, EU (34) and Canada (31).
  • India has 30 critical minerals

Government of India and Critical Minerals:

• Expert Committee under Ministry of Mines has identified a set of 30 critical minerals for India.
  • Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, PGE, Phosphorous, Potash, REE, Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium and Cadmium.
• Creation of Centre of Excellence for Critical Minerals (CECM) in the Ministry of Mines is also recommended by the Committee.
• CECM will periodically update the list of critical minerals for India and notify the critical mineral strategy from time to time.

Add ons:

• India has recently been inducted into the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), a US-led collaboration of 14 countries that aims to catalyze public and private investment in critical mineral supply chains globally.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Which of the minerals are declared as Critical Minerals by Government of India?

1. Cobalt

2. Mica

3. Copper

4. Lithium

5.Gold

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1,3 and 4 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 5 only

(d) 1,2,3 and 5 only

Answer