Overview
The Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) and the CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) have entered into an agreement on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, to jointly explore and extract valuable and rare earth minerals. This collaboration focuses on utilizing overburden and other mining waste generated by SCCL's coal mining activities.
Key Developments
- Agreement Focus: Joint exploration and extraction of rare earth minerals.
- Partners: Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) and CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT).
- Objective: To enhance India's self-reliance in rare earth minerals.
Strategic Importance
N. Balram, Chairman and Managing Director of SCCL, emphasized that this joint effort marks a significant step towards exploring rare earth minerals and enhancing the country's self-reliance. Ramanuj Narayan, Director of IMMT, highlighted the use of indigenous technology to explore rare minerals in the mining waste of Singareni.
Scope of the Agreement
The agreement encompasses the exploration for rare earth minerals and other valuable minerals in various materials, including:
- Shale
- Soil
- Sandstone
- Granite
- Fly ash
- Bottom ash
- Other waste generated by Singareni's activities
The agreement was formalized by Kali Sanjay (Chief Scientist and Hydro & Electro Metallurgy Head, IMMT) and K. Venkateshwarlu (Director, Planning & Projects, SCCL).
Background and Previous Understanding
In June 2025, SCCL and IMMT established a preliminary understanding for mutual cooperation in rare mineral exploration. The current agreement solidifies this understanding and paves the way for further progress. The presence of rare minerals has already been identified in opencast mining areas, overburden, and fly ash/bottom ash from the Singareni Thermal Power Project (STPP).
Geological Survey of India's Findings
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has also identified rare earth minerals in soil samples collected from the Durgamgutta hillocks block near Manuguru. These findings support the potential for rare earth mineral extraction in the region.
Types of Rare Earth Minerals Found
Approximately 14 light and heavy rare earth minerals have been found in the Singareni mining areas, including:
- Lanthanum
- Cerium
- Praseodymium
- Yttrium
- Scandium
- Dysprosium
Further examination, analysis, and feasibility studies by IMMT are required to determine the viability of exploration and production.
IMMT's Objectives
The primary objective of IMMT is to extract critical minerals from industrial wastes using indigenous technologies. This aligns with the national goal of achieving self-reliance in rare and critical earth minerals.
UPSC Relevance
This news is relevant to GS3: Science and Technology, Infrastructure, and Economy. It highlights the importance of resource exploration, indigenous technology, and self-reliance in critical minerals, which are key areas for UPSC preparation.
Important Officials Present
Key officials present during the agreement signing included:
- Chiranjeevi, Executive Director of STPP
- T. Srinivas, General Manager (Coordination)
- B. Srinivas, General Manager (Exploration)
- Ch. Srinivas, General Manager