Government may soon launch scheme to develop critical minerals processing value chain: Recycling body

The government's proposed scheme to develop the country's battery minerals processing value chain is likely to reduce import dependence and boost local supplies, recycling body MRAI said on Tuesday.

The Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) in a statement said that the Ministry of Mines is expected to soon launch the scheme to develop the critical minerals processing value chain for battery minerals.

"The scheme promotes the recycling-based recovery of 27 critical minerals and incentivises actual mineral extraction and processing rather than merely producing black mass. It is expected to generate e-waste recycling capacity of approximately 300,000 tonnes annually by 2030, with the potential for significantly higher capacity based on industry interest and investments," the MRAI statement said, quoting Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal.


MRAI President Sanjay Mehta said, "Recycling must become India's second pillar of resource security. Mining alone cannot meet future demand. The second pillar of resource security must be recycling. Urban mines are becoming as important as natural mines."

Mehta also pitched for a centralised nodal authority to address issues in the recycling industry.