NLC India Signs MoU With IIT (ISM) Dhanbad For Critical Mineral Exploration

In a major step toward bolstering India’s strategic resource independence, state-run mining major NLC India signs MoU with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s Technology Innovation Hub, TEXMiN. The MoU was signed on 26 May 2026, at Neyveli. The agreement establishes a collaborative framework for advanced research, exploration, beneficiation, and extraction of critical and strategic minerals.

IIT Dhanbad-NLC India partnership directly underpins the Government of India’s National Critical Mineral Mission, aiming to secure native supply chains essential for clean energy transitions, advanced manufacturing, and strategic defence sectors.

NLC India-IIT Dhanbad MoU: Deal Dynamics

Critical minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements (REEs)—form the bedrock of the global shift toward green technology. Under the new agreement, NLC India and TEXMiN will pool their expertise to modernize extraction and processing technologies.

While TEXMiN brings advanced research capabilities in mining innovation, NLC India provides massive industrial scale. The Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) has already secured two critical mineral blocks through recent government auctions and is actively evaluating additional assets both domestically and overseas.

Crucially, the NLC India and IIT Dhanbad partnership is not just looking at new mines. It focuses heavily on circular economy principles—specifically the extraction of trace elements and REEs from secondary resource materials, including:

Overburden (the rock and soil cleared to reach coal/lignite seams)
Lignite and coal ash
Mine tailings (processing waste)

High-Level Alignment with National Policy

The significance of the alliance is underscored by the high-profile leadership present at the signing. The document was executed by Shri I.S. Jasper Rose, Executive Director (Mines & Land) for NLC India, and Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Director of TEXMiN.

The ceremony was overseen by Shri Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, CMD of NLC India, who simultaneously serves as a member of the NITI Aayog Committee on Critical Minerals. Also in attendance were Dr. D.K. Singh, Chairman of the NITI Aayog committee, and Dr. Suresh Chandra Suman, Director (Mines) at NLC India.

“This collaboration reflects NLC India’s commitment toward innovation-driven resource development and sustainable mining practices,” stated Shri Motupalli during the event. “The partnership will help accelerate technological advancements in critical mineral exploration and beneficiation, contributing directly to India’s strategic mineral security and self-reliance initiatives.”

Market and Economic Outlook

The commercial push into critical minerals marks a notable evolution for NLC India, traditionally known as a lignite mining and power generation heavyweight. The diversification appears well-supported by market sentiment; industry data shows NLC India has delivered a stellar +477.69% return over the last five years, alongside a robust +44.39% growth over the past year, highlighting strong investor confidence as the company repositions itself for the future economy.

By integrating TEXMiN’s cutting-edge academic research with NLC’s operational infrastructure, the MoU aligns closely with the broader milestones of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and the Viksit Bharat vision, insulating Indian manufacturing from global supply vulnerabilities.