IIT Dhanbad, TTRP, TEXMiN Sign Agreement with RSMET and Rajasthan Mines Department for Critical Mineral Appraisal and Dump Site Analysis
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad, in collaboration with its Technology Translation Research Park (TTRP) and TEXMiN, has entered into a Joint Collaboration Agreement (JCA) with the Rajasthan State Mineral Exploration Trust (RSMET) and the Department of Mines & Geology, Rajasthan. This partnership aims to conduct a comprehensive appraisal of critical minerals and analyze mine waste dumps across key mineral districts of Rajasthan.
Overview of the Agreement
This significant agreement was formalized in a ceremony attended by notable dignitaries, including:
- Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister & Minister of Mines and Petroleum, Government of Rajasthan
- G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal & Mines, Government of India
- T. Ravikanth (IAS), Principal Secretary, Mines & Petroleum, Government of Rajasthan
The collaboration seeks to leverage scientific expertise and advanced analytics to enhance Rajasthan’s position as a leader in sustainable mineral exploration.
Objectives of the Collaboration
The primary objectives of this collaboration include:
1. Critical Mineral Potential Assessment
This objective focuses on evaluating mine waste dumps and associated host rocks for essential critical minerals. The study will identify high-value minerals such as:
- Lithium
- Cobalt
- Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
- Nickel
- Tungsten
Additionally, potential by-products like germanium and vanadium from base-metal tailings will be assessed to determine the latent value within legacy dumps and underexplored geological formations.
2. Resource Estimation and Multi-Metal Recovery
This objective aims to quantify the grade, volume, and techno-economic feasibility of recoverable minerals from the identified dumps. The study will explore sustainable beneficiation and extraction pathways, enabling the recovery of multiple metals through environmentally responsible processes. This scientific and data-backed resource estimation will support Rajasthan’s strategy to maximize value addition from existing mineral assets.
3. AI/ML-Enabled Targeting and Predictive Modelling
TEXMiN and IIT Dhanbad will develop a customized AI/ML engine trained on Rajasthan’s geological and mineral datasets. This advanced digital system will:
- Identify high-prospect zones with precision
- Guide exploration decisions
- Reduce uncertainties
- Improve the cost efficiency of mineral targeting and dump-site analysis
The integration of predictive analytics marks a pivotal shift towards technology-driven mineral exploration in the state.
Significance of the Initiative
The Government of Rajasthan has already identified over 80 mine dumps and tailings across 39 districts for detailed scientific evaluation under this collaboration. The initiative aligns with national missions such as:
- Atmanirbhar Bharat
- Digital India
- India’s Critical Mineral Mission
By employing AI and Machine Learning (ML) technologies, the project aims to create a comprehensive geo-referenced database, conduct high-resolution mapping, and perform systematic sampling, mineralogical and geochemical analysis, as well as extraction feasibility studies to assess available resources.
Expected Outcomes
Over an estimated 18-month project timeline, the study is expected to:
- Determine the presence, grade, and recoverability of key strategic minerals such as tungsten, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements in legacy waste dumps.
- Strengthen Rajasthan’s emerging role in supporting India’s clean-energy transition and meeting global demand for critical minerals.
Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT(ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman of the Hub Governing Board of TEXMiN, emphasized that this agreement marks a transformative step in India’s critical mineral roadmap. He stated, “By combining domain knowledge, advanced analytics, and sustainable exploration techniques, this initiative will unlock new opportunities for Rajasthan’s mineral sector.”
Industry and Academic Collaboration
Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director of IIT(ISM) Dhanbad and Project Director of TEXMiN, highlighted that Rajasthan holds significant untapped potential in critical and strategic minerals. He remarked that the collaboration aims to deploy AI/ML models, geoscientific mapping, and advanced dump-site characterization to enable informed, data-backed decision-making.
Suraj Prakash, CEO of TEXMiN Foundation, noted that this partnership demonstrates how industry, government, and academia can jointly build the future of mineral resource intelligence. By integrating field studies with digital geoscience, they are building a framework that will not only help recover value from legacy dumps but also position Rajasthan as a leader in next-generation mineral exploration technologies.
Conclusion
The collaboration between IIT Dhanbad, TTRP, TEXMiN, RSMET, and the Rajasthan Mines Department represents a significant step towards advancing mineral exploration and sustainable resource management in India. With the integration of cutting-edge technologies and a focus on critical minerals, this initiative is poised to enhance Rajasthan’s role in the global mineral market while contributing to the country’s energy transition goals.
Note: This article is based on information available as of October 2023 and may be subject to updates as the project progresses.
