♦ The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with an expenditure of Rs.16,300 crore and expected investment of Rs.18,000 crore by PSUs, etc.

♦ The mission will intensify the exploration of critical minerals within the country and in its offshore areas.

♦ The mission aims to encourage Indian public sector enterprises and private sector companies to acquire critical mineral assets abroad and enhance trade with resource-rich countries. It also proposes development of stockpile of critical minerals within the country.

♦ Till now, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has undertaken 368 exploration projects over the past three years, with 195 projects currently underway, and the mines ministry has auctioned off 24 critical mineral blocks.