New Delhi, June 11 -- State-run NLC India Ltd (NLCIL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi, to jointly develop technologies for the extraction and recovery of rare earth elements and other critical minerals from mining waste and overburden materials, the company said on Thursday.

The collaboration comes as India steps up efforts under the National Critical Mineral Mission to secure supplies of strategic minerals that are essential for clean energy technologies, electronics and advanced manufacturing.

According to the company's press release, the MoU was signed on June 10 at Neyveli to foster cooperation in "critical and strategic minerals beneficiatio...