The agreement was signed on 10 June 2026 at Neyveli as part of efforts to advance the objectives of the Government of India’s National Critical Mineral Mission.
The MoU was signed by I.S. Jasper Rose, Executive Director (Mines & Land), NLCIL, and Dr K. Ramesha, Director, CSIR-CECRI, in the presence of NLCIL Chairman and Managing Director Prasanna Kumar Motupalli and other senior officials of the company.
NLCIL said it has been actively pursuing opportunities in the exploration and development of critical and strategic minerals from both primary and secondary sources. The company has also undertaken studies on the occurrence and recovery potential of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other trace elements from secondary source materials.
Under the agreement, detailed studies will be carried out on overburden materials and tailings generated from NLCIL’s Neyveli mines to assess the potential for extraction and recovery of Rare Earth Elements and other trace elements. The collaboration will also evaluate similar opportunities across NLCIL’s other mining and exploration projects.
According to the company, the partnership aims to develop sustainable and economically viable technologies for resource recovery from secondary sources.
Chairman and Managing Director Prasanna Kumar Motupalli said the collaboration would strengthen research efforts related to the beneficiation and extraction of Rare Earth Elements and other critical minerals associated with overburden, tailings and other secondary resources. He added that the initiative would support the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission and contribute to India’s self-reliance in critical minerals.
Dr K. Ramesha, Director, CSIR-CECRI, said the strategic partnership is expected to deliver meaningful research outcomes and technological advancements in critical and strategic minerals, supporting India’s resource security and self-reliance in critical mineral supply chains.
NLC India shares are trading 0.29% higher at ₹310.50 on the NSE.
