National Seminar on Critical Minerals Recycling Ecosystem
The Ministry of Mines, in collaboration with the Materials Recycling Association of India (MRAI), organized a day-long National Seminar on "India's Critical Minerals Recycling Ecosystem and Circular Economy" at Hyatt Regency, New Delhi on September 21, 2026. Union Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the event, which brought together policymakers, industry leaders, recyclers, experts, researchers, academia, and other stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening India's critical minerals recycling ecosystem.
Strategic Importance and Key Addresses
In his keynote address, Minister Reddy highlighted the strategic importance of critical minerals recycling for India's clean energy transition, defence preparedness, digital economy, and advanced manufacturing. He called for greater collaboration among government, industry, research institutions, and startups to promote recovery of critical minerals from End-of-Life (EOL) products and strengthen domestic recycling capabilities. The Minister emphasized the need for innovative technologies, entrepreneurship, responsible e-waste management, and environmental sustainability, urging citizens to view e-waste and EOL products as valuable resources for critical mineral recovery.
Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey emphasized strengthening critical minerals recovery and recycling capabilities to promote resource efficiency and build a circular and self-reliant ecosystem. He stressed the need for grassroots awareness on responsible waste management and e-waste recycling through wider public participation and village-to-village outreach.
Secretary of Ministry of Mines Shri Keshav Chandra underlined the strategic importance of critical minerals for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, electronics, defence, and other strategic sectors. He noted that e-waste, industrial waste, and other EOL materials can serve as important secondary sources for recovering critical minerals, thereby improving resource efficiency, reducing dependence on primary sources, and supporting a circular economy. He called for coordinated and time-bound action by stakeholders with clear responsibilities and defined timelines.
Concept Paper Launch and Technical Sessions
During the seminar, the Union Ministers launched the Concept Paper on Critical Mineral Recycling Ecosystem, which outlines a strategic framework for strengthening critical mineral recycling in India with focus on resource efficiency, recovery from secondary sources, and development of a circular and self-reliant ecosystem.
The seminar featured technical sessions on critical mineral recycling and e-waste collection; lithium-ion battery metal recovery and export of black mass; non-ferrous metals recycling; and the critical minerals and non-ferrous metals recycling landscape. Discussions covered technological advancements, R&D, e-waste collection, recovery of critical minerals from lithium-ion batteries and other EOL materials, black mass processing, and policy measures for strengthening the recycling sector.
Broader Ministry Initiatives
The Ministry of Mines is giving focused attention to responsible e-waste management and recycling as part of its broader efforts towards sustainable resource use. In the context of Special Campaign 6.0 and Swachhata Hi Seva, the Ministry is promoting awareness, responsible disposal, and channelization of e-waste into the formal recycling ecosystem. These efforts complement the Ministry's broader focus on circular economy, resource efficiency, and sustainable management of valuable materials, including critical minerals.