India’s growing focus on critical minerals and sustainable mining received a major boost as TEXMiN Foundation, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and the University of Pretoria, South Africa, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in research, innovation and technology development across the mining value chain.
The partnership brings together the research and technology translation capabilities of TEXMiN Foundation with the University of Pretoria’s expertise in mining, metallurgy and engineering sciences. The collaboration will focus on critical minerals, rare earth element processing, recycling technologies, digital subsurface analytics, advanced mineral processing and sustainable mining innovation.
Announced in New Delhi, the collaboration is expected to support the development of advanced technological solutions for emerging global mineral ecosystems while strengthening Indo–South African cooperation in the mining and energy transition sectors.
Under the agreement, the institutions will jointly undertake research and technology development programs related to critical mineral targeting, advanced geophysical methods, recycling systems and translational innovation initiatives aligned with evolving global energy priorities. The partnership also opens avenues for future Centre of Excellence-led initiatives focused on advanced R&D, skilling and technology translation.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries and academic leaders from India and South Africa, including representatives from the Indian Embassy and the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment & Information Technology (EBIT).
Speaking on the collaboration, Prof Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman of the Hub Governing Board at TEXMiN Foundation, highlighted the importance of international partnerships in securing the future of critical minerals and sustainable mining technologies. He said the collaboration would help create technology-driven solutions, strengthen research ecosystems and enable deeper institutional engagement through Centre of Excellence initiatives and innovation partnerships in both countries.
Prof Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Project Director at TEXMiN, said the partnership would contribute toward building a globally connected innovation ecosystem for the mining and minerals sector. He noted that the collaboration would promote translational research, industry participation, technology development and future-ready skill enhancement benefiting both academia and industry.
Prof Wynand Steyn, Dean of the EBIT Faculty at the University of Pretoria, described the collaboration as an important opportunity to strengthen academic and research ties between South Africa and India in the field of critical minerals and sustainable mining. He added that the partnership would support responsible resource development, industry-relevant research and international knowledge exchange while creating opportunities for students and researchers to collaborate on future-focused technologies.
As part of the collaboration, the institutions will also work on capacity building and leadership development through student exchange programs, internships, training and certification modules, executive up-skilling initiatives and short-term technical training programs aimed at improving employability and industry readiness in the mining sector.
The MoU further outlines plans to jointly pursue projects related to lithium, graphite, cobalt, nickel, manganese, aluminium, copper, rare-earth elements, battery materials and other critical minerals. The collaboration may also extend to projects under the Center of Excellence on Critical Raw Materials framework and the National Critical Mineral Mission, subject to mutual alignment and feasibility.
In addition, the partnership will support start-up incubation, innovation translation, workshops, seminars, technical sessions and jointly developed industry opportunities. The initiative is expected to strengthen India’s critical minerals ecosystem by fostering advanced research, workforce development, industry-oriented innovation and global engagement in sustainable mining technologies.
