India Hosts INC-WMC Conference in Hyderabad and Launches Copper & Aluminium Vision Documents and ‘Mission Green’ for Sustainable Mining.

On July 4, 2025, the Indian National Committee of the World Mining Congress (INC-WMC) concluded its International Conference on ‘Sustainable and Responsible Mining through Best Mine Closure Practices’ in Hyderabad, Telangana. The event marked the unveiling of major policy documents and frameworks to advance sustainable mining in India.

      - The conference brought together policymakers, environmental experts, industry leaders, and international stakeholders to exchange ideas and global best practices related to mine closure. Key themes included environmental sustainability, mining safety, scientific restoration, and the development of responsible closure mechanisms.

      - During the event, the "Mission Green" booklet was released, highlighting India’s approach to best practices in mine closure. It focuses on restoring degraded ecosystems and repurposing mined land for community benefits such as agriculture, fisheries, or other sustainable uses that promote local livelihoods and biodiversity.

      - Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy launched the Copper Vision Document, which defines copper as a key mineral for India’s clean energy future. The document outlines copper's role in electric vehicles (EVs) and solar power infrastructure, placing it at the center of India’s green energy transition roadmap.

Main Point :-   (i) The minister also unveiled the Aluminium Vision Document, aimed at achieving self-reliance in aluminium production for India's domestic requirements. The document includes a strategic roadmap focusing on aluminium’s role in clean energy, electric mobility, and infrastructure, making it central to India's industrial decarbonization strategy.

      (ii) The conference introduced the RECLAIM Framework – Reach Out, Envision, Co-Design, Localise, Act, Integrate, Maintain – to strengthen scientific mine closure methods. It aligns with the 6R Philosophy: Reclamation, Repurposing, Rehabilitation, Re-vegetation, Remediation, and Relinquishment, promoting structured and phased mine closure operations.

(iii) A significant technological update during the conference was the introduction of the Single Window Clearance System (SWCS) – Exploration Module, developed to digitize mine closure approvals and increase transparency. This module aims to streamline regulatory processes and enable faster and more efficient implementation of closure plans.
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