NCMM
National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM):
Ministry
Ministry of Mines, Government of India
Aim & Objectives
To secure sustainable supply of critical minerals essential for India’s strategic and technological development
To map, explore and assess nation-wide critical mineral reserves
To promote domestic production and downstream value-addition of critical minerals
To facilitate R&D, technology adoption and capacity building in critical mineral exploration and processing
To establish strategic partnerships with global suppliers and stakeholders
Need for NCMM
Strategic Security: Critical minerals underpin defense, space, nuclear and advanced electronics sectors
Energy Transition: Key inputs for batteries, solar panels, wind turbines and hydrogen economy
Import Dependence: India imports over 70% of certain critical minerals, posing supply-chain vulnerabilities
Industrial Growth: Supports Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and domestic manufacturing of high-tech products
Global Competition: Secures India’s position in critical mineral markets amid rising global demand
List of Critical Minerals
Rare Earth Elements (REEs): Neodymium, Praseodymium, Dysprosium, Cerium
Battery Metals: Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel
Technology Metals: Gallium, Germanium, Indium, Tellurium
Strategic Minerals: Titanium, Vanadium, Chromium
Energy Minerals: Graphite, Uranium, Thorium
Others: Antimony, Bismuth, Scandium, Platinum‐group metals
Key Features of NCMM
National database and GIS‐based mapping of critical mineral occurrences
Mission mode exploration projects with public–private partnerships
Incentives for deep-sea mining and unconventional resource recovery
Skill development programs and Centres of Excellence for mineral beneficiation
Sustainable mining practices and environmental safeguards
Laws & Regulations for Critical Mineral Mining
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) – Governs licensing, prospecting, mining leases and royalty rates
Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 – Outlines environmental management, mine closure plans and waste handling
National Mineral Policy, 2019 – Emphasizes exploration, value-addition, sustainable mining and technology adoption
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 – Regulates forest land diversion for mining operations
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 & EIA Notification, 2006 – Mandates environmental impact assessments for mining projects
Atomic Energy Act, 1962 – Governs uranium and thorium mining, processing and regulation
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019 – Controls mining activities in coastal and marine areas
Preparation Tips
Correlate NCMM aims with India’s energy transition and defense security
Remember key critical minerals by categories (battery, rare earth, strategic)
Link legal framework with sustainable mining and environmental safeguards
Use mission features (GIS mapping, PPP model, skill development) in answers for UPSC mains
