SIGNING OF MOU BETWEEN OIL INDIA LIMITED AND CSIR-IMMT CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR CRITICAL MINERALS

By Tapaswini Sahoo

Bhubaneswar, Mar 30 : OIL INDIA LIMITED (A Maharatna Company) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar, identified as the largest Centre of Excellence for Critical Minerals under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. This strategic collaboration aims to support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

With the signing of this MoU, OIL INDIA has become the first “Industry Spoke” of CSIR-IMMT from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, marking a significant milestone in cross-sectoral collaboration.

The MoU was signed by Saloma Yomdo, Director (Exploration & Development), OIL INDIA, and Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT, in the presence of Ranjit Rath, Chairman & Managing Director, OIL INDIA.

The ceremony was attended by Functional Directors and senior officials of OIL INDIA, along with senior scientists from CSIR-IMMT, including Kali Sanjay and Satyajit Rath.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ranjit Rath highlighted that the MoU will pave the way for enhanced participation of OIL INDIA under the NCMM, extending beyond critical minerals. He further informed that OIL INDIA has already acquired two critical mineral blocks—Phop Graphite-Vanadium CL Block in Arunachal Pradesh and Jorkian Potash Block in Rajasthan. He noted that CSIR-IMMT will play a key role in undertaking mineral processing and beneficiation studies for these assets.

Dr. Rath also emphasized the potential of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning-based projects in identifying and targeting critical mineral resources, adding that OIL INDIA has identified ten such focus areas in consultation with the Director General, CSIR.

Dr. Ramanuj Narayan stated that CSIR-IMMT possesses extensive expertise in fundamental research and technology-driven programs addressing challenges in mining, minerals, and metals industries, particularly in the domain of critical minerals and sustainable development.

The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), announced in the Union Budget 2024–25, aims to strengthen India’s critical mineral supply chain through enhanced domestic production, recycling, and overseas acquisitions. Centres of Excellence (CoEs), such as CSIR-IMMT, collaborate with R&D institutions and industry stakeholders to ensure that research outcomes are effectively translated into practical applications in critical mineral exploration and processing.