India's Critical Minerals and IISc's Role

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is playing a pivotal role in advancing India's position in critical minerals crucial for future technologies.

IISc's Legacy and Innovations

• Legacy in Mineral Technology: IISc has developed 57 flow-sheets for various minerals and successfully translated basic research into industry-scale solutions.
• Bioprocessing Innovations: Demonstrated bioreactor technology has significantly improved gold and silver recoveries from 40% to over 90%.
• Unique Contributions: Prof. Brahm Prakash's work on hafnium–zirconium separation has prominently supported India's atomic energy programs.

Collaborations and Future Goals

• Partnerships: Collaborating with the Ministry of Mines and ANRF to advance the Critical Minerals Mission.
• Translational Research: Focus on aligning foundational science with industry needs to achieve national mission goals.
• Centre of Excellence Potential: Suggested as a key player in the National Critical Minerals Mission.

Government and Institutional Support

• Secretary's Address: Piyush Goyal emphasized IISc’s potential to lead in refining technologies for lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earths.
• Talent Development: IISc will train future material scientists and engineers, ensuring a robust talent pipeline.
• R&D Coordination: Expected to coordinate research networks across various institutions to foster innovation and promote a circular economy.

Commitments and Future Plans

• Administrative Cooperation: Commitment to overcome procedural barriers for seamless partnerships.
• Upcoming Meetings: Plans for a focused meeting in Bangalore to showcase progress and deepen collaboration.