Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that a satellite campus of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory will be established at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, marking a new milestone in India’s global mineral and technology collaboration. The announcement was made during a joint press briefing in Mumbai after Modi’s meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, held alongside the UK–India Critical Minerals Roundtable and Industry Guild inauguration. The initiative aims to build a secure and sustainable supply chain for critical minerals essential for clean energy, green technologies, and advanced industries.
Also Read: Gautam Adani to Grace IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s Centenary Celebration, 100 Rupees Coin to Be Released
Observatory to Drive Innovation and Research
Under the plan, the observatory’s second phase will see the formation of an Industry Guild to make a collaboration in research, innovation, and policy development. The new satellite campus at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad will leverage the institute’s century long legacy in mining and geosciences to become a hub for global mineral studies and technology based research. The Prime Minister said the observatory will strengthen India’s capacity in exploration, processing, and supply chain management of critical minerals, enabling deeper cooperation with international partners in the mineral economy.
Also Read: Centre Assigned Indian Bureau of Mines to Regulate Mineral Trading Platforms
IIT (ISM) Dhanbad to Play Central Role
The project will be anchored by IIT (ISM)’s Techmin Foundation, a Technology Innovation Hub established under the Department of Science and Technology’s NM-ICPS programme. The foundation focuses on developing cyber physical systems based technologies for the mining and resource sectors. With the establishment of this campus, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad is expected to evolve as a national and global center for sustainable mineral development, driving policy research, advanced training, and industrial collaboration.
Also Read: Government Tasked Seven National Institutes to Lead R&D on Lithium, Cobalt, Rare Earth Metals
Strategic Step in India-UK Technology Partnership
Officials said the move reinforces the growing India–UK partnership in science, technology, and innovation, which already includes the Connectivity and Innovation Centre and the Joint Centre for Artificial Intelligence. By combining India’s academic strength with the UK’s research and industrial capabilities, the initiative is expected to enhance the strategic autonomy of India’s mineral sector, support its energy transition goals, and position IIT (ISM) Dhanbad at the forefront of global resource innovation.
Also Read: Coal Ministry Issued Allocation Orders for Five Coal Blocks, Including Two in Jharkhand
Join the WhatsApp Group of Business Jharkhand to Stay tuned for all the latest updates of industrial-political developments in Jharkhand.
