Chhattisgarh Strengthens Critical Minerals Mission with Landmark Research Partnership

Senior officials from CMDC and JNARDDC exchange the Memorandum of Understanding during the signing ceremony in Raipur on Saturday July 18, 2026 , marking a significant step towards advancing scientific research, critical mineral development and sustainable mining under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai-Photo Credit-primelookindia.com via CG/PR

In Short

• CMDC and JNARDDC sign a landmark MoU for scientific mineral research and development.
• Initiative aligns with the Critical Minerals Mission and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Focus on research, value addition and sustainable utilisation of critical minerals.
• Advanced studies on recovery of gallium, vanadium and scandium to support strategic industries.
• Partnership expected to boost industrial growth, innovation and employment in Chhattisgarh.
• Strengthens the state’s position as a leading centre for scientific and sustainable mining

CMDC and JNARDDC Sign Historic MoU to Accelerate Scientific Mining, Mineral Research and Value Addition

Raipur : Chhattisgarh has taken another significant step towards becoming a national leader in scientific mineral development with the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Limited (CMDC) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur.

The initiative, undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Critical Minerals Mission and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The partnership is expected to strengthen research, innovation and value addition in critical minerals while promoting sustainable and technology-driven mining across the state.

Scientific Collaboration for Future-Ready Mining

The MoU aims to promote scientific exploration, mineral beneficiation, advanced processing technologies and research in critical minerals essential for strategic and emerging industries.

Through institutional collaboration, Chhattisgarh intends to ensure efficient utilisation of its vast mineral wealth while encouraging sustainable mining practices and enhancing industrial competitiveness.

A Milestone Under Chief Minister Sai’s Leadership

The agreement was executed under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, CMDC Chairman Shri Saurabh Singh, Secretary, Mineral Resources Department Shri P. Dayanand, and CMDC Managing Director Shri Rajat Bansal.

The collaboration is expected to create a strong foundation for technology-led mineral development, supporting industrial growth, employment generation and long-term economic progress in the state.

Experts Highlight Research and Innovation

Addressing the MoU exchange ceremony, Chief Guest Shri Pankaj Kulshrestha, Controller General, Indian Bureau of Mines and Director of JNARDDC, emphasised the importance of research-driven mineral development, innovation and institutional cooperation, describing the partnership as a long-term strategic initiative for India’s mining sector.

Dr. B. L. Gurjar, Controller of Mines, Indian Bureau of Mines, appreciated the coordination between CMDC and the Mineral Resources Department, noting that such collaboration would further strengthen mineral sector governance and development in Chhattisgarh.

CMDC General Manager Shri U. K. Qureshi presented the corporation’s 25-year growth journey, highlighting ongoing mineral projects, future expansion plans and efforts to promote scientific and inclusive mineral development.

Regional Controller of Mines Shri Prem Prakash praised CMDC’s tin and corundum mining projects, stating that they have generated local employment while strengthening transparency and regulatory compliance.

Focus on Critical Minerals

Dr. Upendra Singh, Senior Principal Scientist and Head of Department at JNARDDC, said the institute is conducting advanced research on recovering gallium and vanadium from red mud and scandium from bauxite by-products.

He noted that such technologies would play an important role in making India self-reliant in the production and processing of critical minerals, which are increasingly essential for electronics, renewable energy, defence and advanced manufacturing.

Towards Sustainable Industrial Growth

The formal exchange of the MoU was carried out between Shri Pankaj Kulshrestha and CMDC Chief General Manager Shri Sanjay Kanakne in the presence of senior officials.

Welcoming the collaboration, Sanjay Kanakne described the agreement as a major step towards research-driven, innovation-led and sustainable mineral development that would help unlock the full potential of Chhattisgarh’s mineral resources.

The state government believes the partnership will accelerate scientific resource management, strengthen mineral value addition, encourage advanced technology adoption and contribute significantly to industrial development and employment generation while reinforcing India’s Critical Minerals Mission.