All posts tagged: Minerals

Parl clears bill to curb states’ tax on minerals; Soren warns of stir

Parl clears bill to curb states’ tax on minerals; Soren warns of stir

Published by Parlour News

New Delhi/Ranchi/Thiruvananthapuram: Parliament on Thursday passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, that seeks to curb taxation of minerals by state governments, prompting a warning of a “massive agitation” by the chief minister of mineral-rich Jharkhand. Parl clears bill to curb states’ tax on minerals; Soren warns of stir The bill, which amends the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, cleared Rajya Sabha after a truncated debate on the last day of the Monsoon session on Thursday, with Opposition MPs saying it infringes on states’ rights and curbs their fiscal autonomy. It was passed by the Lok Sabha, where it saw little debate , a day earlier. It will become law after receiving the President’s assent. Responding to the debate in the Rajya Sabha, Union Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said that the legislation standardizes national mineral rates without infringing on state autonomy or revenues. Under the bill, the Centre will regulate major minerals (coal, limestone, iron ore, copper, manganese), while states will retain control over 49 minor minerals, …

Minerals belong to Jharkhand, land belongs to Jharkhand: CM

Minerals belong to Jharkhand, land belongs to Jharkhand: CM

Published by Parlour News

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. File | Photo Credit: PTI Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday strongly opposed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to restrict States’ powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on Wednesday while the Rajya Sabha cleared it on Thursday, completing the parliamentary approval process. The Bill will become a law after receiving the President’s assent. Calling the legislation a “black Bill” and an injustice to the people of Jharkhand, Mr. Soren warned of a massive agitation against the Centre’s move. “The entire nation will witness. Minerals belong to Jharkhand, land belongs to Jharkhand; so why should Delhi decide on our rights and entitlements? In haste, the Central government passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, effectively tying Jharkhand’s hands and feet,” he wrote on X. Jharkhand holds about 40% of the country’s total minerals. “It is a severe blow to their development …

Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill passed amid Opposition protests

Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill passed amid Opposition protests

Published by Webster

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 was passed in the Lok Sabha without debate on Wednesday. The Opposition MPs continued to protest in the Well of the House as the Bill was being introduced. Jagdambika Pal, who was in the Chair, began the proceedings by advising the Opposition to maintain decorum of the House; however, the din did not fade. Subsequently, the House was adjourned for the day. The Opposition was demanding complete withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Pal stated that if any Bill is referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), it is a “score for the Opposition”. This came as earlier, the Central government’s resolution to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a JPC was accepted by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday amid massive uproar by the Opposition members. The JPC will consist of 21 MPs from the Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha members. The Committee will submit a report to this House by the last day of the first week …

US army bases to host critical minerals processing plants, boost production

US army bases to host critical minerals processing plants, boost production

Published by Parlour News

The US Army will allow several companies to build critical minerals processing plants at military bases around the country as part of a Trump administration push for more domestic production. Boosting US capacity in critical minerals and reducing reliance on imports — especially from China — has been a priority for President Donald Trump during his second term in office. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin (File)) REalloys Inc., Titan Mining Corp., ioneer Ltd. and Energy Exploration Technologies Inc. have reached agreements with the Pentagon to build the plants, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified ahead of an official announcement. The new facilities will handle rare earth minerals, graphite, lithium and boron, they said. Boosting US capacity in critical minerals and reducing reliance on imports — especially from China — has been a priority for President Donald Trump during his second term in office. Initiatives have included government loans and taking equity stakes in producers, but using military property represents a first-of-its-kind approach to mineral processing in the US. Rare earths, …

G7 Critical Minerals Push Targets AI and Chip Supply Chain Risk

G7 Critical Minerals Push Targets AI and Chip Supply Chain Risk

Published by Webster

The hardware behind AI data centers, semiconductors, electric vehicles, industrial robots, telecom gear, and defense systems depends on minerals supply chains the G7 no longer wants concentrated in China. At this week’s G7 summit, leaders put that hardware risk back on the agenda. The question now is whether governments and manufacturers can finance enough refining, recycling, magnet production, and long-term purchase deals to make alternatives viable. A June 17 summit report said G7 leaders planned closer cooperation on critical minerals, including stockpiling, recycling, and a platform supported by the International Energy Agency. The push builds on the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan and Critical Minerals Production Alliance, announced at the June 2025 summit in Kananaskis, Canada. For APAC technology manufacturers and buyers, the risk is not just where hardware is assembled. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Vietnam, and other regional hubs may make more high-value electronics and infrastructure, while AI data center growth is already putting new pressure on regional power planning. Final assembly does not remove exposure to minerals still refined, processed, or licensed …

Surveillance, minerals and energy: What are the key takeaways from Delhi QUAD meet

Surveillance, minerals and energy: What are the key takeaways from Delhi QUAD meet

Published by Parlour News

The Quad grouping of India, the US, Australia and Japan on Tuesday expanded cooperation in critical minerals and energy while unveiling new measures to boost maritime surveillance and port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific, with external affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar calling the meeting “productive”. External affairs ,inister S. Jaishankar addresses during the quad foreign ministers’ joint press statement, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI) The grouping’s foreign ministers met in New Delhi, with Jaishankar chairing the meeting. It was also attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Detailing the takeaways on social media after the meeting, Jaishankar pointed out key decisions finalised by the group. The first of the three is the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative. “Agreed on Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Initiative and on a Common Operating Picture in the maritime domain. Will consider an expert panel on Port Infrastructure, collaborate on a pilot port project in Fiji, and on undersea cables,” S Jaishankar wrote on X. The second takeaway …

India-Africa Forum Summit to focus on trade, defence and critical minerals

India-Africa Forum Summit to focus on trade, defence and critical minerals

Published by Parlour News

Top leaders of African nations are expected to attend the India-Africa Forum Summit to be held this month, which will see New Delhi unveil a roadmap to boost its ties with the continent, especially in trade, defence, space technology and critical minerals. Top leaders of African nations are expected to attend the India-Africa Forum Summit to be held this month. The summit, the fourth of its kind, will be held in New Delhi on May 31. India has increased its diplomatic footprint in Africa by opening 17 new missions since 2018, taking the total number to 46. New Delhi has also sought to enhance trade and connectivity with Africa in the face of China’s growing presence on the continent. The India-Africa Forum Summit will focus on boosting cooperation in economy and trade, defence and security, critical minerals, energy, space and high technology, agriculture, health, education, and climate action, officials said on Saturday. “We are looking at enhancing our economic partnership in a big way,” an official said. The Indian side is keen to transform the …

India, Canada Seal Key Deals On Uranium, Critical Minerals; Eye Billion Trade By 2030 | World News

India, Canada Seal Key Deals On Uranium, Critical Minerals; Eye $50 Billion Trade By 2030 | World News

Published by Webster

Last Updated:March 02, 2026, 20:15 IST A standout achievement of the talks was the landmark USD 2.6 billion uranium supply deal, which will support India’s growing civil nuclear energy sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on March 2. (AFP photo) India and Canada on Monday took significant step towards strengthening their bilateral ties by sealing crucial agreements on uranium supplies, critical minerals, and a broad economic partnership. In a meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to finalise a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with a goal to boost trade to USD 50 billion by 2030. A standout achievement of the talks was the landmark USD 2.6 billion uranium supply deal, which will support India’s growing civil nuclear energy sector. In addition, the two leaders discussed new collaborations in defence, technology, small modular nuclear reactors, renewable energy, and education. Canada’s substantial reserves of critical minerals and rare earth materials will play a vital role …

India joins US-led Pax Silica alliance to boost AI, critical minerals security

India joins US-led Pax Silica alliance to boost AI, critical minerals security

Published by Webster

India on Friday joined the United States (US)-led strategic alliance Pax Silica, an initiative aimed at building a secure and resilient supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The agreement to join the coalition was formalised at a ceremony held on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in the national capital, news agency PTI reported. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology (IT) Ashwini Vaishnaw, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jacob Helberg and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor were among those present. India’s decision to enter the coalition comes at a time when New Delhi and Washington are working to conclude a proposed trade agreement and advance several initiatives to strengthen bilateral ties after a period of strain. “From the trade deal to Pax Silica to defence cooperation, the potential for our two nations to work together is truly limitless,” Gor said. He described India’s participation as not merely symbolic but a strategic step that would further strengthen the trajectory of bilateral relations. Highlighting India’s …

Jaishankar, Rubio welcome trade deal; discuss energy, nuclear, defence, critical minerals

Jaishankar, Rubio welcome trade deal; discuss energy, nuclear, defence, critical minerals

Published by Parlour News

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, shakes hands with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the State Department in Washington, on February 3, 2026 | Photo Credit: AP External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio “welcomed” the trade deal reached between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and discussed “formalising” bilateral cooperation on critical minerals exploration and mining during their meeting in Washington DC on Tuesday (February 3, 2026). Mr. Rubio held bilateral discussions with Mr. Jaishankar at the State Department, ahead of the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting being convened by the U.S. on Wednesday (February 4, 2026). “Delighted to meet US @SecRubio this afternoon. A wide ranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda, regional and global issues,” Mr. Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting. “Facets of India-U.S. Strategic Partnership discussed included trade, energy, nuclear, defence, critical minerals and technology. Agreed on the early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interests,” he wrote. A readout of the bilateral meeting provided …