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International Conference on Critical Metals Stresses Global Cooperation

November 07, 2025

 

Context:

  • The International Conference on Critical Metals 2025 , held in Jamshedpur , highlighted the growing global urgency for cooperation, technological innovation, and supply chain security in the strategic minerals sector. Experts from government, academia, and industry called for stronger partnerships to ensure the sustainable extraction, processing, and recycling of critical minerals , which are vital for national security and green technologies.

Key Themes and Objectives

The conference focused on the geopolitical and industrial importance of critical metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements — essential for clean energy, defence, and advanced manufacturing.

  • Lekhan Thakkar , Joint Secretary, National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) , emphasised that international collaboration and transparent supply chains are crucial to ensure economic and technological security .

  • He noted that critical minerals will define the next phase of industrial competitiveness and regional power balance .

Industry and Institutional Initiatives

  • UCIL (Uranium Corporation of India Ltd) Chairman Kancham Anand Rao announced the company’s readiness to form global extraction and technology partnerships in the mining of critical minerals.

  • Dr Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury , Director, CSIR–National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) , underscored the need for technological sovereignty under Atmanirbhar Bharat , urging innovation in recycling and refining technologies for long-term mineral security.

Global Research Collaboration

  • Dr Sarma V. Pisupati , Director, Centre for Critical Minerals (C2M), Penn State University (USA) , called for joint R&D and indigenous technology adoption to enhance competitiveness.

  • Over 350 delegates discussed policy, trade, and technical challenges in achieving sustainable critical metal supply chains.

Exam-Oriented Facts

  • Event: International Conference on Critical Metals (2025)

  • Venue: Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

  • Organised by: CSIR–National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML)

  • Key Speakers: Lekhan Thakkar (NSCS), Kancham Anand Rao (UCIL), Dr Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury (CSIR-NML), Dr Sarma V. Pisupati (C2M, USA)

  • Focus: Technological sovereignty, global cooperation, and sustainable supply chains

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