Reddy calls for Accelerated Exploration of Critical Minerals at NMEDT Governing Body Meeting (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Non-inclusion of claim in resolution plan results in its extinguishment, and any claim which is not expressly included in resolution plan, and which is not expressly barred as per such plan, cannot be inferred: SC (See 'Legal Desk') National Centre to promote organic and natural farming (See 'Corp Brief') Bharat 6G Alliance expands six-fold, emerging as key driver of 6G ambitions (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Recourse to LOC can be taken by investigating agency in cognizable offences if accused is deliberately evading arrest or not appearing in trial court despite Non-Bailable Warrants: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Semicon India Programme boosts domestic Chip Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem (See 'Corp Brief') TRAI undertakes assessment of quality of service by conducting drive test (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Once strong prima facie case of copyright infringement is established, interim injunction to protect copyright must typically follow: HC (See 'Legal Desk') CSR Conclave: 'Empowering Tribals through CSR' (See 'Corp Brief') CSIR & MEA jointly host Ambassadors from Global South (See 'Corp Brief') Nadda reaffirms India's Commitment to Eliminate TB Ahead of Global Targets (See 'Corp Brief') Ministry of Ayush and DBT announce collaborative Clinical Study on Ayurveda (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Issues of fraud or existence of debt must be decided by insolvency tribunal, not civil court: HC (See 'Legal Desk') RBI strengthens Framework on Unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions (See 'Corp Brief') Govt expands DEH Initiative to Boost District-Level Export Competitiveness (See 'Corp Brief') DPIIT signs MoU with leading AC company to strengthen manufacturing ecosystem (See 'Corp Brief') Two-Day Eastern Region Review Meeting of CGCA concludes (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Minor variations in product that do not alter essential mode of operation of patented invention are considered mere engineering variations: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Paatil calls for 'Jan Bhagidari' to strengthen Water Conservation Efforts (See 'Corp Brief') IICA successfully concludes 4th Batch of Directors' Certification in Corporate Governance (See 'Corp Brief') Ministry of MSME assisting entrepreneurs in setting up of new micro enterprises (See 'Corp Brief') COFEPOSA - Dispute over rent or mesne profits for immovable property leased for commercial purposes is 'commercial dispute': HC (See 'Legal Desk') Amendments to Banking Regulation Act and MSCS Act, 2002 enhance oversight & accountability (See 'Corp Brief') MY Bharat mobilises Youth across 763 Districts for Shaheed Diwas Padyatra (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Even property acquired prior to commission of crime can be provisionally attached finding it falling in definition of 'proceeds of crime': SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') Ministry of Mines to launch 7th Tranche of Auction of Critical and Strategic Minerals (See 'Corp Brief') Jal Mahotsav 2026 gives momentum to 'Jal Sanchay se Jan Bhagidari' (See 'Corp Brief') Ministry of Mines to organise National DMF Summit 2026 (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - High Court of Delhi lacked territorial jurisdiction to hear appeal filed against Appellant based in Kolkata; GST registration at Delhi, occasional hearings before Delhi Bench of NCLT do not establish that appellant ordinarily operates in Delhi: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Union Minister chairs 90th Meeting of Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (See 'Corp Brief') India achieves 1 billion Tonne Coal Production Milestone Again (See 'Corp Brief') Capital Market - SEBI's regulations are framed to protect rights of stakeholders in securities market, and violation of its regulations being matter of public law, can't be condoned by private resolution of shareholders: SC (See 'Legal Desk') PDUNASS conducts DoPT-Sponsored Training Programme (See 'Corp Brief') Govt introduces Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 (See 'Corp Brief') Supreme Court Clears Path For Single Insolvency Proceedings Against Linked Group Companies (See CORP EINSICHT)

Print

Reddy calls for Accelerated Exploration of Critical Minerals at NMEDT Governing Body Meeting

Published: Mar 26, 2026

By TIOLCorplaws News Service

NEW DELHI, MAR 26, 2026: UNION Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy chaired the 7th Governing Body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration & Development Trust (NMEDT), held at GPOA-3, Netaji Nagar, New Delhi, in the august presence of Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy, Dr. Jitendra Singh the performance of NMEDT for FY 2025–26 was reviewed in detail.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy emphasized that NMEDT must place a major strategic focus on exploration of critical minerals, as achieving Aatmanirbharta in this sector is essential for India's economic growth, energy transition and technological advancement. He directed all States to expedite ongoing exploration projects, ensure faster approvals and improve coordination so that exploration-to-auction timelines are significantly reduced.

He further highlighted the need to adopt advanced technologies, including AI/ML, drone-based surveys and modern beneficiation techniques, to enhance efficiency and success rates in mineral discovery. The Minister also stressed on greater inclusion of startups, private exploration agencies (NPEAs) and innovation-driven institutions, in line with the vision of Startup India, to bring new ideas and cutting-edge solutions into the exploration ecosystem.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy underscored the importance of strong coordination, continuous monitoring and effective follow-up mechanisms to ensure timely execution of exploration projects. He emphasized the need to integrate scientific institutions, and leverage advanced technologies into the mineral exploration value chain to accelerate outcomes.

The key achievements of NMEDT discussed during the meeting are:-

Expansion of Mandate

As part of the reforms introduced through the amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 in 2025, the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) has been renamed as the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) with effect from 1 September 2025. The contribution by lessees has increased from 2% to 3% of the royalty to strengthen financial support for exploration activities.

The scope of NMEDT has also been expanded to include funding exploration in offshore areas in India and exploration activities & mine development within & outside India.

Launch of National Critical Mineral Mission Funding Initiatives under NCMM

NMEDT have issued guidelines for funding pilot projects for the recovery of critical minerals from overburden, tailings, fly ash, red mud, etc. on 14.11.2025. It will provide funding support of up to ?20 crore per project, with a minimum 10% contribution from industry partners.

A pilot project has been sanctioned to the Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC) for establishment of pilot line for Rare Earth Minerals separation from multiple feedstocks.

Sustainable Mining & Resource Efficiency Initiatives

NMEDT is supporting special studies for identification of critical minerals through geochemical analysis of samples from mine faces, dumps, tailings, residues and slags. Financial assistance is being provided to the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) to evaluate recovery potential.

These initiatives align with the National Tailings Policy, 2025 and promote sustainability, resource efficiency and circular use of minerals.

Technology Modernisation in Exploration

NMEDT is promoting advanced exploration technologies such as drone-based surveys, AI/ML applications and modern beneficiation techniques to improve data accuracy and discovery success rates, thereby modernizing India's mineral exploration ecosystem.

Enhanced Financial Support for Exploration

A total of 76 projects for critical mineral exploration have been sanctioned during FY 2025–26. So far, 45 NMEDT-funded blocks have been auctioned, including 10 blocks of critical minerals. There has also been a significant increase in private sector participation through several facilitating initiatives.

These reforms collectively aim to strengthen India's mineral exploration framework, ensure availability of critical minerals, accelerate project execution, promote private and startup participation, adopt modern technologies and advance sustainable mineral development in the country.

TIOL CORP SEARCH

TIOL GROUP WEBSITES

taxindiaonline
taxindiainternational
tioltube
TKF
TIOLawards
A TIOL Website. Copyright © 2025 TIOLcorplaws.com All rights reserved.