The joint venture company Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), comprising National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), has partnered with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT). Under the auspices of the Ministry of Mines of the Government of India, this collaboration seeks to propel the nation towards greater self-reliance in critical mineral resources.
Recently, at the NALCO Corporate Office, Bhubaneswar, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between KABIL and CSIR-IMMT. This MoU lays the foundation for mutual cooperation in the realms of technical and knowledge, particularly in the domain of critical minerals. KABIL will leverage the technical expertise and services provided by CSIR-IMMT to execute various projects, including the design and analysis of metallurgical test work plans, the development and review of process flowsheets, and the selection of process technologies for mineral processing, beneficiation, and metal extraction.
Driving scientific research and technology development
This collaborative endeavour extends beyond mere technical assistance; it paves the way for joint research opportunities and the exchange of scientific insights between KABIL and CSIR-IMMT. By nurturing such synergies, both entities aim to foster an environment suitable for the exploration of critical minerals.
Sridhar Patra, the CMD of NALCO & Chairman of KABIL, explained: "This collaboration will foster a thriving environment needed for exploration of critical minerals. Advancing scientific research and technology development in the mineral and metallurgical sectors are essential to the growth and sustainability of the Indian mining industry and ultimately will play a pivotal role in meeting the nation's mineral security as well as domestic requirements."
A strategic mandate for sustainable development
Operating under the mandate of the Ministry of Mines of the Government of India, KABIL is tasked with a multifaceted mission. The company is entrusted with identifying, exploring, acquiring, developing, mining, processing, and procuring critical and strategic minerals. By fortifying the mineral supply chain and bolstering mineral security, KABIL seeks to significantly contribute to the nation's developmental goals and bolster the Make in India initiative.
The partnership between KABIL and CSIR-IMMT holds immense promise. It is poised to unlock new avenues for the exploration, extraction, and utilisation of critical minerals, thereby catalysing sustainable growth and development in the Indian mining sector. As India strides towards greater self-reliance in critical mineral resources, collaborations of this nature emerge as vital stepping stones towards achieving these ambitious objectives.
If you wish to learn more about the international aluminium industry in more details, have a glance at AL Circle’s special report, Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024.
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