India expands scope of key critical mineral classification to boost high-tech applications

The Ministry of Mines has classified barytes, flespar, mica and quartz as “major minerals”, a move that will extend existing extraction contracts by 50 years and now allows them to be mined for crucial science and technology applications.

The Ministry of Mines made the classification based on the recommendation of an inter-ministerial committee on mines and minerals, chaired by NITI Aayog member Dr VK Saraswat. The ministry has clarified that the reclassification of these minerals will not adversely affect the duration of existing leases, and revenue…