Indian government officials and industry leaders are calling for faster mining approvals and expanded recycling to secure the nation's critical mineral supply [1].

This shift is essential for India to reduce its dependence on foreign imports for the materials required to build clean-energy technologies and other strategic industries [1]. Without a domestic supply chain, the country risks delays in its transition to sustainable energy and economic instability.

Policymakers and sector leaders emphasized the need for a more streamlined regulatory process to accelerate the extraction of domestic resources [1]. They said that current approval timelines hinder the pace of development needed to meet national goals.

In addition to mining, officials highlighted the role of circular economy practices. Expanding the recycling of critical minerals is viewed as a primary method to ensure a sustainable, and self-reliant, minerals and metals sector [1].

Digital transformation is also central to the proposed strategy. Industry leaders said that the integration of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies will optimize mineral exploration and processing [1]. These tools are expected to increase efficiency across the supply chain, from discovery to refinement.

These efforts are part of a broader strategy to underpin the country's vision for a sustainable future by 2035 [1]. The goal is to create a robust ecosystem that balances industrial growth with environmental responsibility.

“India must speed up mining approvals, boost recycling and adopt AI”

India's push for mineral autonomy reflects a global trend where nations are treating critical minerals as strategic security assets. By combining AI-driven exploration with aggressive recycling and faster permitting, India aims to insulate its green-energy transition from geopolitical volatility and supply chain disruptions that often affect the global metals market.