NITI seeks easier access to geological data, capital for small exploration companies

New Delhi: The government should improve access to geological data, risk capital and fiscal support for junior exploration companies, while expanding private participation in exploration to accelerate the discovery of new mineral resources, Niti Aayog said on Wednesday.

In its Trade Watch Quarterly report, which focused on India's metals and ores trade, the Aayog suggested extending the validity of compliance reports, reducing repetitive approval stages, streamlining forest and compensatory-afforestation procedures, and establishing clear norms for brownfield expansion to reduce project delays.

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"The government should harmonise renewable-energy open-access rules, increase banking limits and rationalise wheeling charges for industrial users, while fast-tracking slurry pipelines and addressing the GST treatment of off-site logistics infrastructure," it said.

According to the Aayog, there is a need to promote domestic production of aerospace-grade alloy steels, superalloys, aluminium and titanium alloys, alongside phased indigenous-content requirements and stronger integration of Indian suppliers into aircraft and MRO value chains.

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The government think tank also called for establishing traceable collection systems for batteries and e-waste, promoting domestic processing of battery black mass and scaling commercial recycling technologies. It also called for expanding accredited Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) verification capacity and supporting exporters in meeting EU carbon-reporting requirements.

Metals accounted for $1.63 trillion of global demand in the first quarter of 2026-27, with India's metals exports at $34.8 billion, translating into a 2.1% share, the report said. Iron and steel, including articles of iron and steel, together accounted for 50.9% of global metals demand, at $826.8 billion, with India's share at 2.5%.

"Strengthening India's trade competitiveness will require continued diversification of export markets and products, deeper integration with global and regional value chains, stronger domestic capabilities in strategic sectors, and a policy environment that enables firms to compete effectively in international markets," Niti Aayog vice chairman Ashok Lahiri said.