The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued an office memorandum exempting mining projects for atomic, critical, and strategic minerals from mandatory public consultations under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. This step, reported by The Indian Express on September 11, 2025, responds to requests from the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), aiming to expedite clearances for minerals vital to national security, defence equipment, and atomic energy programs amid India's heavy import dependence. The move aligns with recent policy shifts to boost domestic production but has raised questions about environmental transparency and community involvement.
What Are Critical Minerals?
Critical minerals are raw materials with high economic value but limited and risky global supplies. They are key for modern technologies like clean energy and electronics.
India's List of Critical Minerals:
In June 2023, the Ministry of Mines identified 30 critical minerals, including Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, Platinum Group Elements (PGE), Phosphorus, Potash, Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium, Cadmium, and Rare Earth Elements (REE).
Uses in India:
These minerals support electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, semiconductors, and renewable energy goals, such as achieving 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.
What Are Atomic Minerals?
Atomic minerals are substances containing radioactive elements, regulated under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Key Examples:
Listed in Part B, they include uranium, thorium, beryl, lithium-bearing minerals, rare earths containing uranium/thorium, niobium, tantalum, titanium ores, and zircon.
India's Reserves:
India has large thorium reserves (about 11.93 million tonnes in coastal monazite sands in states like Kerala and Odisha) but limited uranium.
Role in Nuclear Program:
They are essential for India's three-stage nuclear energy program, which aims for long-term energy independence.
Why Are These Minerals Essential for India's Economy and Security?
India relies heavily on imports for many of these minerals, making domestic production vital to reduce risks.
Import Dependence:
India imports 100% of its lithium and cobalt needs, with China controlling 60-70% of global processing.
Economic Benefits:
They drive growth in sectors like EVs and renewables, supporting self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Security Aspects:
Rare earth elements are used in defence equipment like radars and munitions, protecting against global supply disruptions.
What Is Public Consultation in Environmental Clearances?
Public consultation is a required step in the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) process under the 2006 Notification.
Process Details:
Project developers hold hearings where local communities can share concerns about impacts like pollution or displacement. Written feedback is also collected and considered in approvals.
Purpose:
It ensures transparency, accountability, and balances development with environmental and social protection.
How Does the New Exemption Work?
The MoEFCC has waived public consultation for mining these minerals to speed up processes.
Reason for Exemption:
It cites "national defence and security requirements and strategic considerations," as allowed under EIA rules for sensitive projects.
Alternative Appraisal:
Projects are now reviewed only at the central level by Expert Appraisal Committees (EACs), skipping local input.
Similar Examples:
This is like exemptions for strategic projects such as Char Dham roads or Great Nicobar infrastructure.
Implementation:
A dedicated category on the Parivesh portal handles faster processing, applying to all project sizes.
What Are the Environmental Impacts of Mining These Minerals?
Mining can harm the environment in several ways, especially for critical and atomic minerals.
Key Issues:
Habitat destruction, water depletion (e.g., from lithium extraction in dry areas), toxic waste from rare earth processing, radiation risks from thorium/uranium, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity.
Global Statistics:
Mineral extraction accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with projections of increase.
Examples:
In China, the Bayan Obo mine has caused river pollution; in India, beach sand mining in Kerala leads to coastal erosion.
What Are the Social Impacts and Risks from Skipping Consultation?
Social effects include community disruptions, and bypassing consultation adds challenges.
Social Concerns:
Displacement of locals, health risks from radiation or pollution, and conflicts in mineral-rich tribal areas.
Risks Without Consultation:
Communities lose a chance to raise site-specific issues, potentially increasing unrest, though EAC reviews provide expert checks.
How Does This Exemption Fit into India's Broader Mineral Policy?
The exemption is part of larger reforms to promote mineral exploration and production.
Key Legislation:
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, removed six atomic minerals (lithium, titanium, beryl, zirconium, niobium, tantalum) from restricted lists to allow private exploration and created Part D for critical minerals.
Forest Rules Changes:
Amendments in 2023 to the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules prioritize these minerals for faster clearances.
What Is the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)?
The NCMM is India's main initiative for mineral self-reliance.
Launch and Budget:
Introduced in the 2024-25 Union Budget with ₹16,300 crore for seven years until 2030-31.
Main Objectives:
Conduct 1,200 exploration projects by the Geological Survey of India, acquire overseas assets (e.g., cobalt and lithium in Africa), and boost recycling from e-waste and batteries to recover 40 kilo tonnes annually.
International Efforts:
India joined the US-led Minerals Security Partnership in 2023 for global supply diversification.
What Are the Economic Benefits of These Policies?
The initiatives aim to grow the economy through mineral development.
Investments and Jobs:
Expected to attract ₹8,000 crore in investments and create 70,000 jobs, mainly via recycling.
Sector Growth:
Supports EVs (target: 30% adoption by 2030) and renewables, reducing import costs like ₹1,000 crore for lithium in 2023.
What Are the Strategic Benefits and Potential Challenges?
Strategically, it strengthens national security, but there are hurdles.
Strategic Advantages:
Secures supplies for defence (rare earths in 70% of modern weapons) and nuclear energy, cutting reliance on China.
Challenges:
Environmental criticism, legal issues over community rights, and state-centre tensions (e.g., Kerala's opposition to offshore mining).
Recommendations:
Experts suggest better geological mapping, private partnerships, and sustainability to balance growth with ecology.
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