Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy said India’s future economic strength depends on reducing dependence on import of key minerals like lithium and cobalt through AI-powered, clean, and efficient exploration methods.
Emphasizing the strategic importance of critical minerals, the minister urged geoscientists to embrace emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing for enhanced exploration, including predicting hidden mineral resources and interpreting seismic data with greater precision.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the two-day “Next-Gen Geophysics 2025: Unlocking Earth’s Hidden Treasures” international conference organised by the Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI), Bandlaguda-Nagole, here on Monday (June 9, 2025).
Discovery of lithium deposits in J&K to cut dependence on imports
India is entering a new era where science, sustainability, and technology will play a pivotal role in mineral exploration. There is also a need for innovation alongside collaboration with academia, and industry. Flagship initiatives like the ₹10,300 crore India AI Mission and the ₹6,000 crore National Quantum Mission could become catalysts for innovation, he said.
