Next phase of UK–India critical minerals supply chain observatory begins

TEXMiN, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad and the University of Cambridge, UK have signed an agreement this week to establish the Critical Minerals Supply Chain Satellite Observatory at IIT(ISM) Dhanbad. An official statement said the signing is part of ongoing bilateral cooperation between India and UK in the field of technology and critical minerals.

The agreement marks the beginning of Phase II of the UK–India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory, a global initiative led by the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) and supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology ( DST), the statement added.

TEXMiN, as the Technology Innovation and Translation Research Park of IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, supported by DST, will serve as the lead implementing body for hosting and developing the Satellite Observatory in India.

According to Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman, Hub Governing Board, TEXMiN, “The observatory will leverage advanced technologies such as AI, blockchain, and remote sensing to strengthen India’s capacity in mineral traceability, sustainability, and resource mapping.”

The Critical Minerals Satellite Observatory at IIT(ISM) Dhanbad will serve as a key enabler in data integration, cross-border research, and industry engagement, laying the foundation for a globally resilient critical minerals ecosystem that ensures secure, transparent, and circular value chains, the statement added.