**Executive Summary**
The 7th Governing Body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration & Development Trust (NMEDT), held on March 25, 2026, focused on accelerating critical mineral exploration to achieve national self-reliance. Key outcomes included the expansion of NMEDT’s mandate to include offshore and international projects, the increase of lessee contributions to 3%, and the review of 76 sanctioned projects for FY 2025–26. States were urged to fast-track approvals to significantly reduce the timeline between exploration and auction.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Institutional and Legislative Reforms**
* The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) was renamed the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) effective September 1, 2025.
* Mandatory lessee contributions increased from 2% to 3% of royalty to bolster financial support for exploration.
* The trust's scope now includes funding for offshore exploration in India and mine development activities both within and outside the country.
* **National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) Initiatives**
* Guidelines were issued on November 14, 2025, to fund pilot projects for recovering critical minerals from waste materials like tailings, fly ash, and red mud.
* NMEDT provides funding of up to ₹20 crore per project, contingent on a minimum 10% contribution from industry partners.
* A specific pilot project has been sanctioned for Rare Earth Minerals separation at the Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC).
* **Technology and Innovation**
* Promotion of advanced technologies, including AI/ML, drone-based surveys, and modern beneficiation techniques to increase discovery success rates.
* Emphasis on integrating startups, private exploration agencies (NPEAs), and scientific institutions into the exploration ecosystem.
* **Sustainability and Resource Efficiency**
* Financial assistance is being provided to the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) to evaluate recovery potential from mine residues.
* Initiatives are aligned with the National Tailings Policy, 2025, to promote circular mineral use and resource efficiency.
* **Operational Achievements**
* A total of 76 projects for critical mineral exploration were sanctioned during FY 2025–26.
* 45 blocks funded by NMEDT have been auctioned to date, 10 of which are dedicated to critical minerals.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments**
**Impact**
States are identified as the primary facilitators for project execution and the transition from exploration to auction.
**Action Required**
Expedite ongoing exploration projects, fast-track administrative approvals, and improve coordination to reduce auction timelines.
**Mining Lessees**
**Impact**
Lessees face an increased financial obligation to support national exploration efforts.
**Action Required**
Comply with the increased contribution rate of 3% of royalty (up from 2%).
**Private Exploration Agencies (NPEAs) and Startups**
**Impact**
These entities have increased opportunities to participate in the exploration ecosystem through "Startup India" and "NPEA" facilitation initiatives.
**Action Required**
Introduce cutting-edge solutions, participate in sanctioned projects, and adopt advanced technologies like AI/ML and drone surveys.
**Industry Partners**
**Impact**
Partners can access government funding for mineral recovery from waste but must take on a portion of the financial responsibility.
**Action Required**
Commit to a minimum 10% financial contribution when partnering on pilot projects for mineral recovery from overburden or tailings.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT): The primary trust responsible for funding mineral exploration in India, recently renamed and expanded to include offshore exploration and international projects.
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957: The governing legislation for India's mining sector, which was amended in 2025 to reform the mineral exploration framework and increase lessee contributions.
National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM): A strategic initiative focused on securing India's supply of critical minerals through funding pilot projects for recovery from tailings and industrial waste.
Shri G. Kishan Reddy: Union Minister of Coal and Mines who chaired the 7th Governing Body meeting of NMEDT and directed the acceleration of critical mineral exploration.
National Tailings Policy, 2025: A referenced policy document promoting sustainable mining, resource efficiency, and the circular use of minerals from mining waste.
Ministry of Mines
Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy Calls for
Accelerated Exploration of Critical Minerals at
NMEDT Governing Body Meeting
Focus on Aatmanirbharta in Critical Minerals; States Urged to
Fast-Track Exploration Projects & Approvals
Adoption of Advanced Technologies and Startup
Participation Will Transform India’s Exploration Ecosystem,
says Shri G. Kishan Reddy
Posted On: 25 MAR 2026 6:48PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy chaired the 7th Governing Body meeting of the
National Mineral Exploration & Development Trust (NMEDT), held at GPOA-3, Netaji Nagar, New
Delhi, in the august presence of Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy, Dr. Jitendra Singh
the performance of NMEDT for FY 2025–26 was reviewed in detail.
Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy emphasized that NMEDT must place a major strategic focus on
exploration of critical minerals, as achieving Aatmanirbharta in this sector is essential for India’s
economic growth, energy transition and technological advancement. He directed all States to expedite
ongoing exploration projects, ensure faster approvals and improve coordination so that exploration-to-
auction timelines are significantly reduced.He further highlighted the need to adopt advanced technologies, including AI/ML, drone-based surveys
and modern beneficiation techniques, to enhance efficiency and success rates in mineral discovery. The
Minister also stressed on greater inclusion of startups, private exploration agencies (NPEAs) and
innovation-driven institutions, in line with the vision of Startup India, to bring new ideas and cutting-edge
solutions into the exploration ecosystem.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy underscored the importance of
strong coordination, continuous monitoring and effective follow-up mechanisms to ensure timely
execution of exploration projects. He emphasized the need to integrate scientific institutions, and leverage
advanced technologies into the mineral exploration value chain to accelerate outcomes.
The key achievements of NMEDT discussed during the meeting are:-
Expansion of Mandate
As part of the reforms introduced through the amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and
Regulation) Act, 1957 in 2025, the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) has been renamed as the
National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) with effect from 1 September 2025. The
contribution by lessees has increased from 2% to 3% of the royalty to strengthen financial support for
exploration activities.
The scope of NMEDT has also been expanded to include funding exploration in offshore areas in India
and exploration activities & mine development within & outside India.
Launch of National Critical Mineral Mission Funding Initiatives under NCMM
NMEDT have issued guidelines for funding pilot projects for the recovery of critical minerals from
overburden, tailings, fly ash, red mud, etc. on 14.11.2025. It will provide funding support of up to ₹20
crore per project, with a minimum 10% contribution from industry partners.
A pilot project has been sanctioned to the Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre
(NFTDC) for establishment of pilot line for Rare Earth Minerals separation from multiple feedstocks.
Sustainable Mining & Resource Efficiency Initiatives
NMEDT is supporting special studies for identification of critical minerals through geochemical analysis
of samples from mine faces, dumps, tailings, residues and slags. Financial assistance is being provided to
the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) to evaluate recovery potential.
These initiatives align with the National Tailings Policy, 2025 and promote sustainability, resource
efficiency and circular use of minerals.Technology Modernisation in Exploration
NMEDT is promoting advanced exploration technologies such as drone-based surveys, AI/ML
applications and modern beneficiation techniques to improve data accuracy and discovery success rates,
thereby modernizing India’s mineral exploration ecosystem.
Enhanced Financial Support for Exploration
A total of 76 projects for critical mineral exploration have been sanctioned during FY 2025–26. So far, 45
NMEDT-funded blocks have been auctioned, including 10 blocks of critical minerals. There has also been
a significant increase in private sector participation through several facilitating initiatives.
These reforms collectively aim to strengthen India’s mineral exploration framework, ensure availability of
critical minerals, accelerate project execution, promote private and startup participation, adopt modern
technologies and advance sustainable mineral development in the country.
Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy, in the august presence
of Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy Dr. Jitendra Singh
reviewed the performance of the National Mineral Exploration and Development
Trust (NMEDT) for FY 2025–26 during the 7th… pic.twitter.com/kbzmGXImzk
— Ministry of Mines (@MinesMinIndia) March 25, 2026
***
Prajith Kumar MV
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