Delhi, July 1 -- India needs to accelerate critical mineral development through faster mining approvals, greater recycling, and wider adoption of artificial intelligence and digital technologies if it wants to build a self-reliant minerals and metals sector, industry leaders said on the sidelines of the 15th India Minerals and Metals Forum in the national capital here on Wednesday.

Speaking to ANI, ICC National Expert Committee Chairperson Pankaj Satija said the country's critical minerals strategy must increasingly focus beyond fresh mining, and tap opportunities in recycling and recovery from industrial byproducts.

"There are three major directions on critical minerals: one from the virgin mines, second from the core products, and thi...