India must achieve self-reliance in the exploration, recovery, and recycling of critical minerals to meet its clean energy and high-tech industry goals, said NITI Aayog Member and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. V.K. Saraswat at the inaugural session of CRISP-2025, the National Conference on Critical Metals, Recycling, Innovation, Separation, and Processing held at IIT(ISM) Dhanbad. The three-day event, from 13th to 15th October 2025, brought together scientists, policymakers, and industry experts from India and abroad to discuss emerging technologies and sustainable resource management.
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Focus on Innovation and Self-Reliance in Critical Minerals
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee Lecture Theatre, Dr. Saraswat highlighted the need for India to develop indigenous capabilities in Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, and Rare Earth Elements to reduce import dependence. He suggested that IIT(ISM) should establish pilot plants dedicated to critical mineral processing and include the subject in academic curricula to build a skilled workforce. Emphasising innovation, he called for wider adoption of secondary resource valorisation, advanced solvent extraction, bio-leaching, and AI-based process monitoring systems to strengthen India’s circular economy.
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Global Market Potential and Industry Collaboration
Dr. Saraswat noted that the global market for lithium and related strategic metals is valued at over USD 400 billion, adding that India must act swiftly to develop its own technology base and multi-disciplinary research models. He advocated closer collaboration between academia and industry to translate laboratory research into industrial-scale applications, which, he said, will determine India’s leadership in sustainable manufacturing and green technology.
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IIT(ISM) to Host Centre of Excellence for Critical Mineralisation
IIT(ISM) Director Prof. Sukumar Mishra announced that the institute has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence in Critical Mineralisation and will soon host the India–UK Critical Minerals Observatory, recently announced by the Prime Minister. Prof. Mishra stressed that like control systems in engineering, India needs a data-based analytical framework for managing critical minerals effectively. He urged researchers to approach the challenge with innovation, collaboration, and resilience to ensure India’s long-term energy and mineral security.
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