New Delhi, May 04, 2026 – TEXMiN IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, the Technology Translation Research Park (TTRP) supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, was invited by NITI Aayog to participate in a high-level policy dialogue on the future of India’s mining and critical minerals sector. TEXMiN was invited alongside select deep-tech startups, including DeepMatrix and Bidaal, underscoring its role as a key innovation enabler in the mining ecosystem.
The dialogue brought together senior government leadership, including Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, and Shri Suman K Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, along with other high-ranking policymakers and officials. The session focused on advancing India’s transition toward Mining 4.0, strengthening critical mineral security, and building a resilient, technology-driven mining ecosystem.
Commenting on the participation, Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and Project Director, TEXMiN, said, “It was an important opportunity to engage in a constructive policy dialogue with key stakeholders on the future of India’s mining sector. At TEXMiN, we are focused on building technology-driven solutions that can address the sector’s structural challenges, from exploration and data integration to safety and productivity. As India looks to strengthen its position in critical minerals, initiatives like Mining 4.0 will be central to ensuring long-term competitiveness and self-reliance.”
During the discussion, TEXMiN highlighted the global shift in mining, from labor-intensive and mechanized operations to intelligent, data-driven, and increasingly autonomous systems. It also emphasized the unique challenges within India, where the mining landscape comprises both large enterprises and MSMEs with varying levels of technological maturity.
TEXMiN shared its perspective on enabling this transition through the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, automation, and geospatial intelligence. By building scalable and modular solutions, TEXMiN is supporting mining stakeholders across the spectrum in improving productivity, enhancing safety, and optimizing operations.
A key focus of the dialogue was the growing strategic importance of critical minerals in supporting clean energy, electric mobility, and advanced manufacturing. With global supply chains becoming increasingly concentrated, participants discussed the need for India to build domestic capabilities and reduce import dependencies through technology-led interventions.
The dialogue also addressed the importance of moving beyond extraction toward building integrated capabilities in processing, refining, advanced materials, and circularity. TEXMiN emphasized the need for cohesive policy frameworks and the adoption of predictive, data-driven exploration models to unlock complex and deep-seated mineral deposits in India.
The participation of TEXMiN in this dialogue reflects its growing recognition as a national platform for mining innovation and its alignment with India’s priorities on technological self-reliance, critical mineral security, and sustainable development.
About TEXMiN IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
Technology Innovation in Exploration & Mining Foundation (TEXMiN) is a Section 8 company with a status of Technology Translation Research Park (TTRP) set up by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad under the aegis of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). TEXMiN focuses on developing commercially viable solutions for mineral exploration and mining using technologies such as AI/ML, IoT, blockchain, drones, robotics, and satellite imagery, with the vision of enabling Safe, Smart, and Sustainable Mining (3S Mining) and advancing India’s transition to Mining 4.0.
