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MoM Designates Barytes, Feldspar, Mica, and Quartz as Major Minerals.

National | Dated: 25 Feb 2025

In February 2025, the Ministry of Mines (MoM) reclassified Barytes, Feldspar, Mica, and Quartz as major minerals to promote systematic exploration and scientific mining of these key resources, which are essential sources of various critical minerals.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - Following this reclassification, the mining of these minerals will be regulated under Section 8A of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) This decision was based on the recommendation of an inter-ministerial committee on mines and minerals, chaired by Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, a member of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog).
  • (ii) The move aligns with the Union Cabinet’s approval of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) on January 29, 2025, which has been allocated a budget of ₹34,300 crore over seven years.
  • (iii) The mission aims to enhance the exploration and mining of critical minerals in India, including their recovery from other mineral mines, overburden, and tailings.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which ministry recently designated Barytes, Feldspar, Mica, and Quartz as major minerals?

Correct Answer: Ministry of Mines

🚀 Quick Recap: