Attended Conference on Critical Minerals Matrix

Promoting, Exploration, Production, Processing, Supply chains and International Collaborations

21st February 2025

Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida collaborates with The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) as Academic Partners for “Conference on Critical Minerals Matrix: Promoting, Exploration, Production, Processing, Supply chains and International Collaborations” held on 21^st February, 2024, at FICCI Federation House, New Delhi. Third-year ME and CSIT Department students along with faculty members Dr. Deepak Kumar and Dr. Hirdesh Sharma from Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida attended the conference.

The key objective of the conference was to promote exploration, production, processing and collaborations for critical minerals and to discuss the demand-supply dynamics of critical minerals in key sectors like electric vehicles, renewable energy and electronics and fostering collaborative dialogue and exploring international collaboration to diversify supply chains.

The conference was graced by the presence of several distinguished personalities, including Mr. Satish Chandra Dubey (Minister of State for Mines and Coal, Government of India), Mr. Dhiraj Nayyar (Group Chief Economist and Director-Policy, Vedanta Ltd.) and Mr. Rajat Verma (Founder of LOHUM). In addition, there was the participation of senior executives and renowned figures from leading multinational corporations based in Japan, Australia and other countries, reflecting the conference’s international significance and its role in fostering global cooperation in the critical minerals sector.

Mr. Dubey emphasized the Indian government's commitment to securing a robust supply chain for critical minerals and highlighted new policies to promote domestic exploration and mining. Mr. Nayyar spoke about the role of private-sector investment in mineral processing and the need for cutting-edge technology to make production more efficient. Mr. Verma focused on sustainable practices in mineral recycling, underlining the importance of circular economy principles in the sector.

Discussions covered exploration, production, processing technologies and policy frameworks necessary to strengthen the supply chain of critical minerals. The importance of international collaborations, particularly with countries like Japan and Australia, was stressed to ensure a diversified and stable supply of critical minerals. Senior executives from multinational corporations shared insights into the integration of artificial intelligence and automation in mineral processing, improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

The conference provided valuable insights into innovative technologies, sustainable mining practices, and international trade agreements essential for securing a stable supply of critical minerals. Students and faculty from Dronacharya Group of Institutions gained firsthand knowledge from industry experts, enhancing their understanding of career opportunities and future research prospects in the field.