Bhubaneswar, May 20 , 2025 — In a significant step toward advancing India’s self-reliance in the mineral sector, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) and NTPC Mining Limited signed a strategic partnership on Monday to collaborate in research on coal, mineral processing, and critical mineral extraction.
The MoU was formalized by CSIR-IMMT Director Dr. Ramanuj Narayan and NTPC Mining Limited CEO Naveen Jain at an event held in Bhubaneswar.
“This partnership is crucial for translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact, especially in scaling and commercialization of technologies. It aligns with national priorities for sustainable development and critical mineral security,” said Dr. Narayan.
NTPC Mining Limited, which has produced over 134 million tonnes of coal since 2018 and currently meets around 15% of NTPC’s fuel needs, is now venturing into the exploration of critical minerals as part of its commitment to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
CEO Naveen Jain described the collaboration as a “milestone” in NTPC’s journey toward becoming a future-ready and environmentally responsible mining company. He emphasized that the partnership would focus on enhancing mineral beneficiation, mine planning, and sustainable mine closure practices.
Under the agreement, NTPC will gain access to CSIR-IMMT’s advanced research infrastructure and expertise in rare earth elements, lithium extraction, and deep-sea mineral processing. These efforts will directly support India’s National Critical Mineral Mission.
Key officials present included Kali Sanjay, Head of Hydro, Bio & Electrometallurgy at CSIR-IMMT, and senior technical executives from NTPC Mining Limited, including Dhananjay Shrikhande and Anil Kumar Soni.
This collaboration marks a pivotal move toward strengthening India’s position in the global critical minerals landscape.