IIT-ISM Dhanbad to Host UK–India Critical Minerals Campus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the establishment of a satellite campus of the UK–India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, to strengthen India’s leadership in the global minerals and clean energy ecosystem.

The announcement came during the joint press statement following Modi’s meeting with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Mumbai on October 9. The meeting coincided with the UK–India Critical Minerals Roundtable and Industry Guild, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation focused on securing sustainable and resilient mineral supply chains.

A New Era in Mineral Collaboration

The proposed satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad will serve as a centre for research, policy, and technological innovation in critical minerals exploration, processing, and management. These minerals are vital for electric mobility, renewable energy, defence, and advanced electronics.

Prime Minister Modi said that the second phase of the UK–India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory will include a strong industry guild to promote research, innovation, and collaboration. IIT-ISM Dhanbad, with its deep academic heritage and modern research capability, will host a satellite campus that represents India’s growing strength in mineral sciences.

Strengthening India’s Self-Reliance in Minerals

The initiative aligns with India’s National Critical Minerals Mission, launched earlier this year to boost domestic exploration, reduce import dependency, and promote indigenous production. With over Rs. 36,000 crore earmarked for critical minerals projects, the mission aims to accelerate India’s progress in five years, achieving in a decade what took other nations nearly two.

According to Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director of IIT-ISM Dhanbad, the institute is already home to a Centre of Excellence under the Ministry of Mines, which focuses on rare earth elements and critical mineral research. He said the IIT-ISM Centre of Excellence operates as part of a hub-and-scope model, linking academic institutions, R&D organisations, and industries. It will now integrate with the Observatory to create a digital mapping system that tracks global mineral trade, production, and reserves.

Prof. Kumar added that the Observatory will function as a digital support system capable of providing real-time insights into India’s mineral requirements, imports, and exports. This will help policymakers and industry leaders understand the country’s mineral needs and plan accordingly.

Harnessing Global Partnerships

The project will connect IIT-ISM Dhanbad with international institutions such as Cambridge University in the UK, along with partners from Brazil and Australia. On the domestic front, IIT-BHU, IIT-Gandhinagar, Hindustan Copper Limited, and other leading mining enterprises are expected to collaborate in exploration, extraction, and processing research.

Prof. Kumar said that India has immense potential in states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, and even in coal dumps where traces of critical minerals are being explored. The goal is to make India self-sufficient under the Make in India framework by developing domestic production and processing capabilities.

The TexMin Foundation and Technological Innovation

The TexMin Foundation at IIT-ISM Dhanbad, set up under the Department of Science and Technology’s National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems, will play a key role in driving the project. TexMin specializes in developing cyber-physical systems for mining and resource sectors and will anchor R&D activities for the new satellite campus.

IIT-ISM’s Mineral Engineering Department, the only one in the country to offer a B.Tech in the field, will lead the design of mineral processing plants and digital mapping systems. Prof. Kumar noted that most of India’s mineral plant designs have originated from the department, highlighting the institute’s century-long legacy in mining and nearly four decades of experience in minerals engineering.

A Boost for Jharkhand’s Research and Industry

For Jharkhand, home to India’s rich mineral belt, this development positions the state as a global research and policy hub for critical minerals. The Dhanbad campus will facilitate capacity building, international collaboration, and knowledge exchange, creating new avenues for students, scientists, and industries.

It also places Jharkhand at the centre of India’s green transformation agenda, linking mineral wealth with clean energy technologies such as EV batteries, wind turbines, and solar cells.

Towards a Mineral-Secure Future

The collaboration reflects India and the UK’s shared commitment to technological security and sustainability. It also complements ongoing bilateral efforts under initiatives like the Connectivity and Innovation Centre and the Joint Centre for Artificial Intelligence.

As the world shifts toward low-carbon growth, the IIT-ISM Dhanbad satellite campus represents more than just an academic expansion. It symbolizes India’s determination to turn its mineral strengths into strategic assets for a cleaner, more self-reliant, and globally connected future.