Research Expertise (Hub)
STC2M2P Research
Six research verticals, six CoE objectives, proven pilot-scale capabilities, and the target material sets and projects they support.
Expertise
Research Verticals
Mineral Characterization
Advanced analysis of ores, tailings, and recycled materials using XRD, MLA, SEM-EDS, ICP-MS, XPS, FTIR and other techniques.
Mineral Beneficiation
Processing of low-grade ores and secondary sources through innovative separation methods with novel equipment designs.
Hydrometallurgical Processing
Green solvent systems and selective leaching for efficient metal extraction along with novel equipment design.
Pyrometallurgical Processing
Pyrometallurgical techniques for critical metal recovery, including high-temperature processing (up to 1900°C) and reduction in controlled atmospheres.
Product Validation & Sustainability Integration
Performance validation and certification of fabricated components. Solid and liquid waste treatment to achieve zero-discharge processes.
Digital Metallurgy & Process Integration
AI & ML, FactSage, ThermoCalc, JKSimMet process simulation software, and physical models.
Across the Value Chain
From Ore to Recovered Metal
Photography: Guidelines for Centre of Excellence under the National Critical Mineral Mission, Ministry of Mines, Government of India (April 2025).
What We Do
Objectives of the CoE
Advanced Mineral Beneficiation
Develop efficient critical mineral beneficiation strategies from low-grade and secondary resources through advanced characterization and novel separation methods.
Circular Hydrometallurgy
Develop environmentally sustainable zero-discharge hydrometallurgical routes for selective extraction and enrichment of critical metals using green solvents and optimized techniques.
Sustainable Pyrometallurgy
Design and develop sustainability-driven pyrometallurgical processes for efficient recovery and responsible recycling of critical metals from concentrated resources.
Material Validation
Evaluate and optimize the performance of critical materials for application in high-energy Li-ion batteries, REE-based permanent magnets, and metal powders for additive manufacturing.
Digital Integration
Integrate AI/ML algorithms for real-time monitoring, modeling, and optimization of mineral beneficiation and metal extraction processes.
Skill Development
Design and implement interdisciplinary training, academic programs, and incubation platforms for developing skilled manpower in critical minerals sectors.
Proven Track Record
Strengths of the CoE Hub
REE Extraction with Novel Ligands
Extraction of rare earth elements using novel ligand-based chemistry.
Waste PCB Processing
Sustainability-driven waste PCB processing technology, incubated as a startup from the SMITH Lab, IITH.
SMITH Lab startup
Tailings & Lean-Grade Ore Beneficiation
Advanced beneficiation of lean-grade ore and tailings/slimes, backed by strong mineral characterization and liberation assessment expertise.
Zero-Discharge Pyrometallurgy
Proven track record in pyrometallurgical process development, with strong zero-discharge process expertise and lab-to-land technology transfer.
Novel Dense Medium Cyclone
Novel dense medium cyclone design for treating high near-gravity material (NGM) ores.
Novel Mineral Equipment Designs
10 kg shaft reactor for H2 reduction with ANTS Innovation, and an inverse mould simulator with TATA Steel & NMDC.
TATA Steel · NMDC · ANTS InnovationGrinding Circuit Modelling
Modelling and simulation of an integrated iron-ore grinding ball-mill / air-classifier circuit for energy-efficient grinding.
PCB Recycling Pilot Plant
100 kg zero-discharge PCB recycling pilot plant, deployed with BHEL-Trichy.
BHEL-TrichyREE from Coal Fly Ash
Extraction and separation of rare earth elements from coal fly ash.
Additional Hub Capability
No text content could be extracted from this slide (vector shapes with no text layer). Send the content or a re-export whenever it suits.
Scope
Target Sets & Elements
| Set | Target Critical Material | Critical Raw Material Sources | Industry Spoke | R&D Spoke |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Co, Ni, Ti, V | Nickliferous Limonite/Laterite (Sukinda, NMDC), Titaniferous magnetite (NMDC), Pyroxenite | NMDC & JSW | IIT KGP & CECRI |
| 5 | Li | Li ore (e.g. Spodumene and Lepidolite, etc.) | SCCL, CMT | CECRI |
| 11 | Ga, V, Ti, Co, Ni, PGE | Chromite overburden (Sukinda, NMDC), Bauxite residue (red mud), Ga-rich liquor from alumina refinery (Hindalco), Slimes and slags (JSW), Copper slag (Hindalco) | NMDC, HINDALCO, JSW | IIT KGP & JNARDDC |
| 16 | Ga, Ni, V, REE, Li | Fly ash / coal ash from thermal power plants (JSW, SCCL), pet coke ash (Mineral Udyog) | JSW Steel, SCCL | Monash University, JNARDDC |
| 17 | Sn, Ni, Ti, Co, Mo, V, REE | Automotive scrap (incl. spent autocatalyst), utensil scrap, aluminum alloy scrap, ferro-alloy and steel scrap, super alloy scrap (DMRL, MIDHANI) | — | JNARDDC |
| 18 | Li, Co, Ni | End-of-life batteries (NMC, LCO, LFP) from e-waste collectors, recyclers, and scrap dealers | — | ARCI & IIT KGP |
| 19 | Ni, PGE | Spent electrocatalyst, PEM electrolyzer catalyst, auto catalyst | CMT | — |
| 20 | Ni, Sn, In, REE, PGM, Ta | PCBs, solar PV, LCDs, magnets, and electrocatalysts from metal-air batteries via e-waste collectors and recyclers | Hindalco | UNSW, CECRI, IIT KGP, JNARDDC |
| 21 | All | Reductants (Ca, Na, Mg) won by electrolysis; chemicals/additives — chlorides, fluorides, and sulphate salts | — | CECRI |
Targeted Technology-1
Critical Minerals from E-Waste
Extraction and recovery of critical minerals from E-waste — PCBs, LCDs, magnets, electrocatalysts, and lithium-ion batteries.
Research Gaps
- PCB smelting: complexity in recovering PGE and high-purity Cu
- Li-ion batteries: multiple chemicals required, slow leaching kinetics, and solvent regeneration challenges
- Used magnets and LCDs: energy-intensive recovery processes
- Electrocatalysts (Zn-Air batteries): no established process to recover PEM
Other Potential Projects
- Sustainable recovery of REE from used magnets (TRL 3-4) — IITH & IIT KGP
- Design of novel separation equipment for Ni and Pt from spent PEM electrocatalysts (TRL 3-4) — IITH & CMT
- Validation of recovered Li, Co, and Ni for battery application — ARCI
R&D Projects with Industry Commitment
| Project | Industry Appetite & Commitment |
|---|---|
| PGE recovery from waste PCBs (TRL 5-6) — IITH, UNSW | HINDALCO will take it to TRL 7-8 |
| In & Sn extraction from LCD screens by pyro-hydro route (TRL 3-4) — IITH | CMT will take it to TRL 7-8 |
| Extraction of Li, Co, Ni from LIBs (TRL 5-6) — IITH & IIT KGP | CMT will take it to TRL 7-8 |