India Expands Critical Mineral Exploration in LWE-Affected Areas with 25% Incentive Hike, Two Projects Launched.

The Ministry of Mines has increased financial incentives by at least 25% to encourage critical mineral exploration in 12 of India's most Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts. Two projects—one for lithium-niobium exploration in Chhattisgarh and another for magnesium block mapping in Jharkhand—are already in progress, sources said.

Under the revised scheme, exploration firms operating in these Maoist-affected regions will be reimbursed ₹125 for every ₹100 spent on field activities, equipment, and project-related work. The funds will be disbursed through the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), which supports mineral exploration via contributions from mining leaseholders.

The initiative covers key districts in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha, where security concerns have hindered exploration efforts. The Ministry hopes this move will attract private investment and boost mineral development in these remote and underdeveloped regions.

A similar incentive scheme was previously introduced for exploration in the North-Eastern and Himalayan regions, offering reimbursements of up to ₹335 per ₹100 spent due to challenging terrain. The LWE-focused initiative is expected to undergo periodic review, with additional projects under consideration.

HBL