India to launch minerals exchange, MCX eyes coal bourse

The Indian government will allow trading of major minerals on an exchange from the next financial year, with initial focus on lithium and nickel, Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra announced. The mines ministry has notified rules and appointed the Indian Bureau of Mines as nodal agency. The exchange will initially trade iron ore, bauxite, limestone and manganese through a centralised electronic platform with physical delivery contracts.

Separately, the coal ministry has notified rules for a coal exchange, with the Coal Controller Organisation as regulator. Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) plans to invest Rs 200 crore to set up both coal and minerals exchanges, according to Managing Director Praveena Rai. The Times of India reports that MCX has incorporated separate units and received Sebi approval for Rs 100 crore investment in each. Rai said domestic coal and mineral prices are mostly set abroad, making this a policy imperative.

The government also plans four critical minerals processing parks in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The National Critical Mineral Mission, announced with a Rs 34,300 crore outlay over seven years, aims to reduce India's 95% import dependence for critical minerals like lithium, nickel and cobalt.