TEXMiN joins NITI Aayog discussion on future of India’s mining sector

TEXMiN IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, the Technology Translation Research Park (TTRP) supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, was invited by NITI Aayog to participate in a high-level policy dialogue on the future of India’s mining and critical minerals sector. TEXMiN was invited alongside select deep-tech startups, including DeepMatrix and Bidaal, underscoring its role as a key innovation enabler in the mining ecosystem.

The dialogue brought together senior government leadership, including Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, and Suman K Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, along with other high-ranking policymakers and officials. The session focused on advancing India’s transition toward Mining 4.0, strengthening critical mineral security, and building a resilient, technology-driven mining ecosystem.

Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and Project Director, TEXMiN, said, “It was an important opportunity to engage in a constructive policy dialogue with key stakeholders on the future of India’s mining sector. At TEXMiN, we are focused on building technology-driven solutions that can address the sector’s structural challenges, from exploration and data integration to safety and productivity. As India looks to strengthen its position in critical minerals, initiatives like Mining 4.0 will be central to ensuring long-term competitiveness and self-reliance.”


During the discussion, TEXMiN highlighted the global shift in mining, from labor-intensive and mechanized operations to intelligent, data-driven, and increasingly autonomous systems. It also emphasized the unique challenges within India, where the mining landscape comprises both large enterprises and MSMEs with varying levels of technological maturity.