In a recent policy shift aimed at strengthening mineral exploration and resource utilization, the Ministry of Mines has issued a gazette notification reclassifying Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz from minor minerals to major minerals. This decision aligns with the recently approved National Critical Mineral Mission, endorsed by the Union Cabinet on January 29, 2025. The mission aims to enhance domestic exploration, mining, and recovery of critical minerals from existing mines, overburden, and tailings.
The reclassification is expected to bolster the extraction of key critical minerals associated with these deposits. Quartz, Felspar, and Mica are commonly found in pegmatite rocks, which also contain vital elements such as Beryl, Lithium, Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Tin, Titanium, and Tungsten. These elements play a crucial role in modern technologies, including renewable energy, space exploration, and healthcare applications. Previously, when leased as minor minerals, these resources were primarily used for construction, glass, and ceramics, resulting in critical minerals remaining untapped.
Similarly, Barytes, widely used in oil and gas drilling, electronics, rubber, paint, radiation shielding, and medical applications, often occurs alongside ores of Antimony, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, and Silver. Due to its natural occurrence in mixed deposits, the simultaneous extraction of these associated minerals is inevitable, making scientific mining imperative.
The decision follows recommendations from the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Mines & Minerals Sector, chaired by Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog. The committee emphasized the need for structured exploration and systematic extraction to maximize resource efficiency.
This reclassification will not impact the tenure of existing mining leases. As per Section 8A of the MMDR Act, 1957, leaseholders will now benefit from an extended lease period of 50 years from the date of grant or till the completion of the renewal period, whichever is later. Additionally, these mines will be gradually brought under the regulatory purview of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) as major minerals. A transition period of four months, until June 30, 2025, has been provided for adaptation.
The Ministry of Mines has assured that state governments will continue to receive revenue from these mineral leases as before, ensuring no disruption to the existing financial framework.
This strategic move is expected to accelerate domestic mineral production, strengthen India’s critical mineral security, and foster sustainable mining practices, ultimately contributing to the nation’s technological and industrial advancements.
