The G3 stage is a prospecting phase, so there is lower confidence on the critical minerals resources estimation and associated economic feasibility. In case of major minerals like coal or iron ore, miners have had years of operational experience but it is not the case with critical minerals, and hence the confidence level around such minerals resources and the overall economic construct needs to be greater to secure interest from investors.
Moving to a G2 (general exploration) level would significantly improve bidders confidence on the resources estimates, enabling wider and quality participation in critical minerals mines auctions. However, exploration alone will not resolve structural challenges. In cases like the clay-form lithium in Jammu and Kashmir, challenges extend beyond exploration to technical and operational hurdles. Extracting and refining lithium (to battery grade) commercially requires suitable technologies and facilities within India to realise its full value.
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- Centre to intensify advance-level exploration of critical miniral blocks
- Digital mining: Transforming the mining value chain
Advancing towards sustainability: The emergence of green mining technologies and practices
The Indian mining industry has been embracing greenmining technologies and practices – from electrification and automation to regenerative and water-efficient solutions – to drive sustainablity across operations and supply chains. The star rating system instituted by the Ministry of Mines, Govt of India (MoM) through Indian Bureau (IBM) for implementation of Sustainable Development Framework (SDF) has been working as an excellent impetus in this regard.
A more concerted effort to resolve challenges around efficient resource utilisation by:
- promoting beneficiation of low-grade ore,
- adoption of renewable/hybrid energy sources,
- mine closures as per approved plan through policy guidelines, and
- adoption of global best practices
can drive this mission towards sustainability even more strongly, reinforcing the need for collaborative innovation and ESG integration in mining.
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