Strategic Pact: NLC India Teams up with CSIR-CECRI for Rare Earths Breakthrough

NLC India Ltd signs MoU with CSIR-CECRI to innovate technologies for extracting rare earth elements from mining waste, bolstering India's Critical Mineral Mission amid a government disinvestment move.

NLC India Ltd (NLCIL), a state-run enterprise, has partnered with the CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) of Karaikudi to pioneer technology in extracting rare earth elements from mining waste. This collaboration aligns with India's National Critical Mineral Mission aimed at fortifying supply chains crucial for clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on June 10 at Neyveli, focuses on conducting comprehensive studies of overburden materials and residues from NLC India's Neyveli mines. The goal is to ascertain their potential for recovering essential rare earth elements and other critical minerals. This initiative will extend to other mining operations under NLCIL's portfolio.

NLC India is keen on enhancing its exploration and development activities for strategic minerals derived from both primary and secondary sources. Chairman and Managing Director, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, emphasized that this alliance strengthens research efforts for sustainable resource recovery, supporting the nation’s broader critical mineral strategy, and reducing import dependencies.