Daily Hot Topic
Topic : Recycling Critical Minerals in India
GS-3 Mains : Economy
Context:
- India’s Ministry of Mines is developing a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to encourage critical mineral recycling.
About the Scheme:
- Aligned with NITI Aayog’s policy recommendations and complements Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR), 2022.
- Targets e-waste recycling (“urban mining”) to recover critical minerals like lithium, copper, cobalt, graphite, chromium, and silicon.
Why Recycle Critical Minerals?
- Surging E-waste: Rapid growth in solar/wind energy and EVs will lead to significant e-waste generation.
- Photovoltaic (PV) module waste to jump from 100 kilotons (FY23) to 340 kt (2030).
- 500 kt of EV batteries expected to reach recycling units in coming years.
- Scarce Reserves:
- Manufacturing renewable energy technologies and EVs requires critical minerals (copper, manganese, etc.).
- India lacks reserves or has insufficient quantities of some of these minerals.
- Dominant China: China controls a significant portion of critical mineral processing.
What are Critical Minerals?
- Essential for economic development and national security.
- Limited availability or geographically concentrated extraction/processing can cause supply chain disruptions.
Applications of Critical Minerals
- Clean Technologies (Zero-Emission Vehicles, Wind Turbines, Solar Panels):
- Minerals like Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Indium, Selenium, and Vanadium are used in batteries, semiconductors, and solar panels.
- Advanced Manufacturing:
- Beryllium, Titanium, Tungsten, Tantalum etc. are used in new technologies, electronics, and defense equipment.
- Medical Devices: Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are used in medical devices, cancer treatment drugs, and dental materials.
India’s Critical Minerals
- A total of 30 minerals are critical for India, including:
- Lithium, Cobalt, Copper, Graphite, Nickel, Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
- This list differs based on individual countries’ needs.
Conclusion:
- Recycling fosters a circular economy and strengthens domestic supply chains.
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that recycled materials from spent batteries could meet 10% of the demand for copper, lithium, nickel, and cobalt by 2040.
- However, recycling offers a partial solution, not a complete answer to critical mineral scarcity.
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