IISc, C-MET named Centres of Excellence for minerals
India designated two additional research facilities as Centres of Excellence under its National Critical Mineral Mission on Saturday. The Ministry of Mines approved the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology in Hyderabad to advance mineral technology development.
The centers will focus research on clean energy, transportation, electronics, defense and aerospace applications. Officials said the facilities will advance mineral processing techniques from laboratory-scale to pilot-production levels. Seven institutions already held the designation before the latest approvals raised the total to nine.
Each center operates through partnerships linking at least two companies with two research or academic organizations. The nine facilities have assembled roughly 90 partner institutions across industry and academia. The government earlier this month launched a 1,500 crore rupee program to boost recycling of minerals from electronic waste and batteries.
Large recycling operations can receive up to 50 crore rupees in support, while smaller facilities qualify for 25 crore rupees. The measures aim to strengthen domestic supply chains for materials needed in emerging technologies.
