New Delhi: The Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) has entered into a strategic agreement with the CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) to jointly explore and extract rare earth and other valuable minerals from overburden and mining waste generated by SCCL’s coal operations. The initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing India’s self-reliance in critical mineral resources.
Objective of the Agreement
Under the agreement, SCCL and IMMT will focus on exploring rare earth minerals in materials such as shale, soil, sandstone, granite, fly ash, bottom ash, and other waste generated during coal mining and thermal power operations. This collaboration builds on a preliminary understanding reached in June 2025, aiming to systematically assess, analyze, and extract critical minerals using indigenous technologies.
Significance and Potential Impact
SCCL CMD N. Balram stated that the partnership represents a major advancement in the exploration of rare earth minerals and will contribute to the nation’s goal of self-reliance in critical mineral production. The presence of rare minerals has already been identified in opencast mining areas, overburden, and fly ash/bottom ash generated by the Singareni Thermal Power Project (STPP).
Earlier surveys by the Geological Survey of India revealed rare earth minerals in the Durgamgutta hillocks block near Manuguru, including 14 light and heavy rare earth elements such as lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, yttrium, scandium, and dysprosium. These findings will now undergo further analysis, feasibility studies, and extraction planning with technical support from IMMT.
IMMT Director Ramanuj Narayan emphasized that the main objective of the collaboration is to extract critical minerals from industrial wastes using indigenous technology, supporting India’s efforts toward self-sufficiency in rare and critical minerals.
Signing Ceremony and Key Attendees
The agreement was signed by Chief Scientist and Hydro & Electro Metallurgy Head Kali Sanjay on behalf of IMMT and Director (Planning & Projects) K. Venkateshwarlu on behalf of SCCL. The event was attended by Executive Director of STPP Chiranjeevi, General Managers T. Srinivas (Coordination), B. Srinivas (Exploration), and Ch. Srinivas, among other senior officials.
About SCCL
The Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) is a state-owned coal mining company jointly owned by the Government of Telangana and the Government of India. Established in 1920, SCCL is one of India’s oldest and largest coal producers, operating multiple underground and opencast mines in Telangana. The company plays a pivotal role in supplying coal for power generation, industrial use, and allied sectors, while also exploring opportunities in sustainable mining, resource efficiency, and technological innovation.
