GSI confirms critical minerals in Goa’s low-grade iron ore dumps

By Staff Report 1 October 17, 2026 5:48 pm IST

The Geological Survey of India has confirmed critical minerals in Goa’s low-grade iron ore dumps, prompting the state to assess their commercial extraction potential.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found critical minerals in Goa’s low-grade iron ore dumps, opening the possibility of recovering valuable resources from existing mining waste.

The GSI has submitted its report to the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG), including details of the critical minerals identified in the state. DMG director Narayan Gad confirmed the findings.

The department collected 20 samples from a low-grade iron ore dump and sent them to GSI for analysis. The exercise forms part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), which aims to increase domestic production and recovery of critical minerals from sources such as mine overburden, tailings, fly ash, red mud and existing mines.

The state government is examining whether extracting these minerals from the dumps would be economically viable.

The findings come as Goa advances efforts to manage its accumulated low-grade iron ore. The state has auctioned dumps to facilitate handling and recovery of ore, with the broader policy framework covering deposits within and outside mining lease areas.

Recovering critical minerals from these deposits could provide an additional source of domestic raw materials for industries that depend on such resources. However, the commercial feasibility of extraction remains to be assessed.

Source: Times of India