India has finalized the locations for its four dedicated critical mineral processing parks under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). According to Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra, each park will be dedicated to a single element, with lithium and nickel being the first priority elements. The proposed parks will be developed around specific minerals, creating dedicated ecosystems that bring processing and downstream industries together. Each park will be designed to house the complete value chain for a designated element, from processing to downstream industries, allowing value addition across different stages to be carried out within a single location. As reported by The Economic Times, the government is fast-tracking lithium and nickel because these are crucial elements for the battery sector, with batteries being the most important component globally for future growth.
India currently depends on imports for about 95% of its critical mineral requirements, making the development of domestic supply and processing capabilities increasingly important for industries ranging from electric vehicles and batteries to electronics and renewable energy. The government has been working on a policy to develop domestic critical mineral processing capacity, with lithium and nickel among the initial areas of focus. India has mineral resources of its own and is looking for supplies overseas, but a lack of domestic processing capacity could become a bottleneck for industries that depend on these materials. The country has signed about 20 agreements related to critical mineral sourcing with countries including France, Japan and Australia, as well as nations in Latin America, according to a Mines Ministry official. The discussions cover a range of minerals including lithium, nickel and rare earths.
The four NCMM processing parks have been finalized with ₹500 crore allocation under the mission. As reported by Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra, the locations include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Former Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal confirmed in April that the sites were settled following a review meeting on April 22 with state governments of all four states. The Odisha park will come up inside the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region at Paradip, according to Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey. Corresponding site details for the Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh parks have not been announced yet. The parks were chosen for their port access, which is described as critical for handling mineral supply chains.
State governments will take the lead in planning and implementing the parks, while the Centre will provide technical support. According to Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, the Centre has already written to all state governments and chief ministers seeking their cooperation. The central government will provide technical support for the proposed parks, while state governments will provide land, infrastructure and incentives. Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra confirmed that "the planning itself will be by the state government. We will extend full technical support," adding that the Centre has already written to all state governments and chief ministers seeking cooperation. State-run Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) has already secured exclusive rights to five mineral blocks in Argentina, and Coal India is separately exploring opportunities to acquire lithium assets in Canada, though discussions haven't yet been finalised.
Maharashtra has emerged as a significant hub for critical mineral development with 41% of India's rare earth element (REE) resources located within the state. The TEXMiN–MaxelS Center of Excellence in Nagpur represents a major advancement in strengthening supply chains through convergence of exploration, digital mineralogy and technology development. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, the center brings together capabilities across the critical mineral value chain, including exploration & mapping, extraction digital mineralogy & AI-based analytics, advanced testing & analytical facilities and training & capacity building. The establishment leverages Nagpur's strategic position as home to Western Coalfields (WCL), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Manganese Ore (India), Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre, and multiple mining and geological institutions. Sukumar Mishra, Chairman of Hub Governing Board at TEXMiN, emphasized that the inauguration marks an important milestone in extending institutional strength into Maharashtra, a state with deep-rooted mining expertise and significant share of India's rare earth resources.
The proposed parks form part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), which the government had earlier approved with a total outlay of ₹34,300 crore over seven years. As reported by government officials, the mission aims to achieve self-reliance in critical minerals and accelerate India's journey towards green energy transition. The government has earmarked ₹16,300 crore for the mission, while public sector enterprises are expected to contribute ₹18,000 crore. The NCMM also seeks to promote exploration of critical minerals within the country and offshore locations. The government is spending about ₹32,000 crore under the National Critical Mineral Mission, which seeks to strengthen the country's supply chain from exploration and mining to processing and recycling.
