Ranchi, May 20: NTPC Mining Limited (NML) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) to collaborate on research and development in the fields of critical minerals, mineral processing, and sustainable mining technologies.

The MoU was signed by Shri Naveen Jain, CEO of NML and RED (Mining), NTPC, and Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director of CSIR-IMMT. The ceremony was facilitated by Dr. Kali Sanjay, Head of the Hydro, Bio & Electrometallurgy Department and Business Development at CSIR-IMMT, along with Shri Dhananjay Shrikhande, General Manager (Technical Services & Commercial), and Shri Anil Kumar Soni, Additional General Manager (Technical Services & Business Development) at NTPC Mining Limited.

Speaking at the event, Shri Naveen Jain emphasized the significance of the partnership: “This collaboration supports our vision of becoming a benchmark in safe, efficient, and sustainable mining through technological innovation and environmental responsibility. By combining NTPC Mining’s field expertise with CSIR-IMMT’s advanced R&D strengths, we seek to make rapid progress in areas like mine planning, mineral beneficiation, and environmentally sound mine closure practices.”

Dr. Ramanuj Narayan added: “As India ramps up its focus on critical minerals under the National Critical Minerals Mission, this partnership is both timely and strategic. NTPC Mining’s expansion into the critical minerals sector is a natural complement to our mission of delivering science-based, scalable, and industry-relevant solutions. We look forward to impactful collaboration.”

Since its establishment in 2018, NTPC Mining Limited has played a vital role in enhancing India’s energy security, producing over 134 million tonnes of coal and contributing around 15% to NTPC’s coal demand in FY 2024–25. With India steadily transitioning to clean energy, NML is expanding its operations to include the exploration and development of critical minerals—both within the country and abroad—in support of the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

With decades of expertise in minerals and materials research, CSIR-IMMT has been a key player in advancing innovative and commercially viable technologies for the mining sector. As part of the new collaboration, an NTPC Mining delegation visited CSIR-IMMT’s state-of-the-art research facilities to explore opportunities for joint R&D in critical mineral technologies that are essential to achieving the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

This MoU marks an important step toward fostering innovation-led, sustainable resource development and aligns with India’s strategic vision for self-reliance and technological advancement in the mining sector.