India to train 5.7 million workers in mining by 2030 to boost critical minerals push, cut import reliance

New Delhi: India is planning to create a pool of 5.7 million skilled workers in the mining sector by 2030 as the government sharpens focus on indigenous mining of critical minerals for development of clean energy to achieve self-reliance and reduce import dependence on China.

The mines ministry and the Skill Council for Mining Sector (SCMS), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, have formed a project steering committee to initiate a skills gap study 2025-30 for the sector across job roles under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).