India’s First Tailings Policy for Critical Minerals Recovery

Exam-focused facts from the 21 January 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The Ministry of Mines announced India’s first tailings policy to set guidelines for exploration of critical minerals from primary as well as secondary sources like mine dumps and tailings of existing mines.
Indian Bureau of Mines, Central Mine Planning & Design Institute and Atomic Minerals Directorate are to conduct sample analysis of dumps and tailings of all existing mines to identify quantity and likely availability of critical and strategic elements.
The policy aims to frame a roadmap for recovery of critical minerals from tailings, ensuring increased domestic production and reduced import dependency.