Northeast India Emerges as Key Hub for Critical Minerals in India’s Growth Push

New Delhi, July 19 — Northeast India, once seen as a far-off region, is now becoming very important for India’s growth. The area is rich in important minerals like lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, graphite, and vanadium. These minerals are used in clean energy, batteries, smartphones, medical tools, and more.

The Indian government is working hard to build roads, railways, and other infrastructure in the northeastern states. These include Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim — often called “Ashta Lakshmi” or eight goddesses.

A recent survey by the National Mineral Exploration Trust found 38 areas with valuable minerals in the northeast. Out of these, seven are now ready for auction. This means companies can now bid to mine these resources.

Critical minerals are needed for things like electric cars, solar panels, mobile phones, and computers. Right now, many of these minerals come from just a few countries, making the global supply chain weak. India wants to change that by using its own resources.

The government hosted a special event called the ‘North-East Mining Ministers’ Conclave’ in Guwahati. There, leaders promised to speed up mining permissions, build strong mining systems, and make sure mining is done in an eco-friendly way.

In the last year, India has auctioned 283 mineral blocks across the country. So far, 161 have been successfully taken by mining companies. This includes five from Assam and four critical mineral sites from Arunachal Pradesh. These efforts will create jobs and bring industry to the region.

India has about 8% of the world’s rare earth minerals. Experts say India can play a big role in global mineral supply, especially as China’s control in this area is expected to become smaller in the future.

Overall, the government’s push in the northeast will help India grow, create jobs, and support the clean energy future.