National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM)

About National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM)

• National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) was launched in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines
• Duration: It has been set up for seven years from 2024- 25 to 2030-31.
• Aim: It aims to intensify the exploration of critical minerals both within the country as well as in its offshore areas, creating a fast-track regulatory approval process for critical mineral mining projects.
• Objectives of NCMM:
  • To secure India’s critical mineral supply chain by ensuring mineral availability from domestic and foreign sources.
  • Strengthening the value chains by enhancing technological, regulatory, and financial ecosystems to foster innovation, skill development, and global competitiveness in mineral exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recycling.
• Target: Under this mission, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been tasked with conducting 1,200 exploration projects from 2024-25 to 2030-31.
• Components of the NCMM:
  • Increasing Domestic Critical Minerals Production
  • Acquisition of Critical Mineral Assets Abroad
  • Recycling of Critical Minerals
  • Trade and Markets for Critical Minerals
  • Scientific Research and Technological Advancement
  • Human Resource Development
  • Developing Effective Funding, Financing and Fiscal Incentives
• Features:
  • The mission adopts an inclusive approach by giving due attention to all stages of the value chain, including mineral exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recovery from end-of-life products. 
  • It has provision for financial incentives for critical mineral exploration and promotes recovery of these minerals from overburden and tailings.
  • It promotes research in critical mineral technologies by proposing the setting up of the Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals.
  • It encourages Indian PSUs and private sector companies to forge trade partnerships with resource rich countries to acquire critical mineral assets abroad.
  • It emphasis on offshore mining of polymetallic nodules, which are rich in cobalt and rare earth elements (REEs).
  • The mission is an attempt to reduce India’s reliance on import of critical minerals like lithium, boost domestic exploration and accelerate just energy transition.