Dhanbad: Niti Aayog member Dr VK Saraswat asks for advance ecosystem of critical mineral

Dhanbad, Oct 13: Padma Bhushan Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India, emphasized the urgent need to make India  a self-reliant, technologically advanced ecosystem for critical mineral extraction,

Dr. Saraswat, who was addressing  national conference on Critical Metals Innovation, Separation and Processing (CRISP-2025) at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad on Monday as chief guest. said that achieving self-sufficiency in critical minerals such as  lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements is vital for India’s transition toward clean energy and  high-tech manufacturing.

Dr. Saraswat shed light on  the importance of secondary resource valorization, advanced solvent  extraction, bio-leaching, and AI-driven process monitoring systems in developing next-generation  refining technologies.

He proposed the establishment of dedicated pilot plants at IIT (ISM)  Dhanbad and the inclusion of critical mineral processing and solvent extraction courses in academic curricula to develop skilled human resources.

Calling for stronger industry–academia collaboration, he stressed that transforming laboratory innovations into industrial applications would  accelerate India’s progress toward a circular economy.

Dr. Saraswat noted that innovation, interdisciplinary research, and  timely technological intervention are key to making India a global hub for critical minerals.

Prof. Sukumar Mishra, director, IIT (ISM) In his  inaugural address shed light about the growing global importance of critical minerals in securing a sustainable energy future.

He  expressed pride that a Centre of Excellence in Critical Mineralisation and India–UK Critical Minerals Observatory, will be set up at the institute.

Prof  Mishra emphasized the need for adaptive, analytical, and data-driven frameworks for “control  actuation” in critical mineral operations. He urged researchers to lead India’s clean energy transition  through innovation, collaboration, and resilience and commended the conference organizers for

fostering discussions that will shape India’s critical mineral roadmap.

Deputy Director, Prof Dheeraj Kumar also addressed. Prof. Aarti Kumari, convener, CRISP 2025   welcomed the guest.Prof. Shatrughan  Soren, Head, Department of Fuel, Minerals & Metallurgical Engineering, highlighted the  department’s continuing efforts in sustainable mineral research.

 Dr. D. K. Singh, Advisor, CRISP  2025, and Prof. Vishnu Teja Mantripragada, Co-Convener,  delivered the vote of thanks, .