Singareni, CSIR-IMMT sign pact on exploration of rare minerals from mining waste

HYDERABAD

Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) on Tuesday signed an agreement with CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) for joint exploration and extraction of valuable and rare earth minerals from overburden and other mining waste produced by the coal company as part of its coal mining operation.

SCCL Chairman and Managing Director N. Balram stated that the joint effort will be a major step forward both in terms of exploration of rare earth minerals and the self-reliance of the country. IMMT Director Ramanuj Narayan said that they will investigate rare minerals in Singareni mine waste with the help of domestic technology.

As part of the agreement, the two parties will explore for rare earth minerals and other valuable minerals in shale, soil, sandstone, granite, fly ash, bottom ash and other waste from Singari’s operations. The agreement was signed by Kali Sanjay, Principal Scientist and Head of Hydro and Electro Metallurgy, on behalf of IMMT and K. Venkateshwarlu, Director (Planning and Projects), on behalf of SCCL.

Mr. Balram said that in June this year, SCCL and IMMT had reached a preliminary agreement on mutual cooperation in the exploration of rare minerals and the new agreement will pave the way for progress in this direction. He stated that the presence of rare minerals has already been found in open-pit mining areas, cover and fly ash and bottom ash produced by Singari Thermal Power Project (STPP).

The Geological Survey of India had also found some rare earth minerals in the soil sample collected from Durgamgutta hillock block near Manuguru. Mr. Balram explained that the presence of around 14 light and heavy rare earth minerals including lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, yttrium, scandium, dysprosium and others have been found in the Singari mining areas.

He stated that they need further investigation, analysis and feasibility before their exploration (extraction/production) can be initiated by IMMT. IMMT Director said that their main goal is to extract critical minerals from industrial wastes with domestic technologies. This will also be a step towards the country gaining self-confidence in rare and critical earth minerals.

STPP Chiranjeevi Executive Director, General Managers T. Srinivas (Coordination), B. Srinivas (Exploration) and Ch. Srinivas were also present at the event.