Coal India Restricted (CIL) is now actively pursuing diversification into the vital minerals sector, as the worldwide race for uncommon earths and strategic minerals intensifies.
In an unique interview with Zee Enterprise, CMPDI Chairman & Managing Director Manoj Kumar revealed that Coal India has already initiated two tasks in Madhya Pradesh for vital mineral exploration—each of which present sturdy industrial potential.
“Coal India is vital minerals critically as a part of its diversification technique. Two tasks have already been taken up in Madhya Pradesh, and preliminary research point out each mines are commercially viable,” mentioned Manoj Kumar.
The transfer marks a deliberate pivot by the world’s largest coal producer, as India ramps up efforts to safe key minerals important for clear vitality applied sciences, electronics, and defence manufacturing — together with lithium, cobalt, nickel, and uncommon earth parts.
CMPDI, the technical and planning arm of Coal India, is enjoying a central function on this transformation. In accordance with Kumar, the corporate just isn’t solely concerned in home exploration and feasibility research however can also be main efforts to develop Coal India’s presence overseas within the vital minerals area.
“We’re actively engaged on enhancing Coal India’s worldwide footprint. CMPDI has the technical experience and expertise, having labored with shoppers globally within the planning and growth of mineral blocks,” he added.
This consists of previous and ongoing collaborations with mining and exploration entities in nations throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the place CMPDI has supplied consultancy and mine planning companies.
Coal India’s diversification aligns with the federal government’s imaginative and prescient to scale back import dependence for vital minerals and safe long-term provides for India’s inexperienced and high-tech financial system. With growing demand for EV batteries, photo voltaic panels, wind generators, and semiconductors, the give attention to securing a home and abroad provide chain of vital minerals has grow to be pressing.
CMPDI, which can also be getting ready for an IPO by 2026, continues to drive innovation throughout coal and allied sectors by initiatives just like the Nationwide Centre for Coal and Vitality Analysis (NaCCER), and tasks in carbon seize, clear coal know-how, and AI-based mining.
The strategic pivot towards vital minerals, mixed with world growth and technological management, positions Coal India and CMPDI as key gamers not simply in coal — however in the way forward for India’s useful resource safety.
