Parliament Question: Impact and quality assurance for critical minerals

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1083 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026 IMPACT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR CRITICAL MINERALS 1083. DR. FAUZIA KHAN: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has undertaken an impact assessment on the revocation of quality control orders on seven critical minerals, considering that Copper, Nickel and Lead are essential for the defence manufacturing, aerospace and renewable energy sectors; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether there are any alternative quality assurance mechanisms implemented to ensure that imports of these critical minerals meet international standards while reducing supply chain disruptions for MSMEs and downstream industries; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY) (a) & (b): The Ministry of Mines on 13.11.2025 revoked seven Quality Control Orders (QCOs), of which only three QCOs, namely Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys, Copper, and Nickel Powder, were in force (from 01.12.2024) before the revocation. Remaining four QCOs were not effective when revoked. Of the three QCOs which were in force for a limited period, only one QCO i.e. Nickel Powder, is an intermediary product of a critical mineral (Nickel) as per list in Part D of First Schedule of The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Import of Nickel Powder is very minimal (less than 2 percent of total import of Nickel). (c) & (d): QCOs are notified for products and not for primary raw materials like critical minerals. Accordingly, QCOs revoked were of products only and not of critical minerals. Industrial buyers import input materials as per their technical requirements. *****