NIT Raipur and GMDC sign MoU for critical minerals and mining research

The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur and the Gujarat Mineral Research and Industrial Consultancy Society (GMRICS), a research and consultancy body under the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to strengthen collaboration in geology, mining, mineral exploration and critical minerals research. The MoU was signed by Prof. N. V. Ramana Rao, Director, NIT Raipur, and Dr. D. K. Sinha, Chief Executive Officer of GMRICS/GMDC, Ahmedabad. The agreement will remain valid for an initial period of five years and may be extended with the mutual consent of both institutions. Under the partnership, the two institutions will jointly undertake research and training programmes in Earth Sciences, geological and geophysical surveys, mineral exploration, mining engineering, mineral beneficiation, analytical chemistry and management studies. It will facilitate the exchange of faculty, scientists and technical experts, and provide students with industrial training, internships and field-based studies aligned with the National Education Policy 2020. A key focus area is research on critical minerals, which has emerged as a national priority under the Government of India's mineral resource strategy. The institutions will explore research and development opportunities in strategically important deposits, including the Ambaji Copper-Lead-Zinc deposits in Gujarat, besides mineral-rich regions in Chhattisgarh and other parts of the country. Dr. Neeraj Vishwakarma and Dr. D. C. Jhariya of NIT Raipur have been designated as nodal coordinators, and a joint committee will periodically review progress. The partnership aims to strengthen academia-industry engagement and support the sustainable development of India's mineral resources.