New Delhi: Engineers India Limited (EIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIR–Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) to strengthen India’s capabilities in critical mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and indigenous technology development.
The strategic partnership, signed on July 23, 2026, aims to support the goals of India’s National Critical Mineral Mission by developing advanced solutions for the exploration, processing, and commercial utilisation of critical minerals.
The collaboration is expected to play an important role in building a self-reliant mineral supply chain and reducing India’s dependence on imports for strategic raw materials.
EIL and CSIR-IMMT Sign MoU for Critical Mineral Development
The MoU was signed at the EIL Head Office in New Delhi by:
- Mr. Rajiv Agarwal, Director (Technical), EIL
- Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT
The signing ceremony was attended by:
- Mr. Atul Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, EIL
- Dr. Kali Sanjay, Head of Business Development & Centre of Excellence (CoE), CSIR-IMMT
- Senior officials from both organisations
The partnership brings together EIL’s engineering expertise and CSIR-IMMT’s scientific capabilities to accelerate innovation in the critical minerals sector.
Read also: Engineers India Limited Appoints Atul Gupta as CMD Effective June 29, 2026; To Lead EIL Till 2029
Focus Areas Under EIL-CSIR-IMMT Collaboration
Under the agreement, both organisations will work together on research, technology development, and implementation initiatives related to critical and strategic minerals.
The key areas of collaboration include:
Joint Research and Development Initiatives
EIL and CSIR-IMMT will undertake joint R&D activities focused on developing advanced techniques for:
- Mineral processing
- Extraction technologies
- Metallurgical processes
- Strategic mineral recovery
These initiatives will help create innovative solutions for efficient utilisation of mineral resources.
Technology Scale-Up for Commercial Deployment
The partnership will focus on converting successful laboratory research into commercially viable technologies.
The organisations will work towards:
- Improving technology readiness
- Scaling up innovative processes
- Supporting industrial implementation
This will help bridge the gap between research laboratories and large-scale production facilities.
Pilot Projects and Field Demonstrations
EIL and CSIR-IMMT will collaborate on developing pilot plants and conducting field-level demonstrations.
These projects will help:
- Test new technologies under real operating conditions
- Evaluate commercial feasibility
- Support faster adoption of advanced mineral processing solutions
Knowledge Sharing and Skill Development
The MoU also includes initiatives for knowledge exchange and capacity building.
Both organisations will conduct:
- Technical training programmes
- Expert exchange sessions
- Workshops for skill development
These efforts will help strengthen India’s technical workforce in the critical minerals sector.
Importance of Critical Minerals for India’s Strategic Growth
Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements are essential for several emerging industries, including:
- Renewable energy technologies
- Electric vehicles
- Battery storage systems
- Advanced electronics
- Defence applications
With changing global supply chains, securing access to these minerals has become a strategic priority for countries worldwide.
The EIL-CSIR-IMMT partnership aims to establish a stronger domestic ecosystem for critical mineral processing and reduce external supply risks.
Supporting India’s National Critical Mineral Mission and Atmanirbhar Bharat
The collaboration directly supports the objectives of India’s National Critical Mineral Mission, which focuses on developing domestic capabilities in the critical mineral value chain.
By combining:
- CSIR-IMMT’s advanced research capabilities
- EIL’s engineering and project execution expertise
the partnership aims to accelerate the commercial deployment of indigenous technologies.
The initiative will contribute to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) by promoting domestic innovation, strengthening supply chains, and reducing dependency on imported strategic minerals.
About EIL
Engineers India Limited is a leading public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The company provides engineering consultancy and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) services across sectors such as oil & gas, petrochemicals, infrastructure, and fertilizers. Known for its technical expertise and project execution capabilities, EIL plays a key role in India’s industrial and infrastructure development.
Read also: Engineers India Q4 FY26 Results: PAT at ₹19.48 Crore, Full-Year Profit Surges 35% to ₹833.50 Crore
