India, Aug. 28 -- The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2026 should be seen not merely as a fiscal or regulatory amendment, but as an important step towards preparing India for the future of the mining industry. At a time when minerals - particularly critical and strategic minerals - are becoming central to energy security, advanced manufacturing and economic resilience, India needs a mining framework that is predictable, competitive and capable of attracting long-term investment.

One of the biggest challenges before our mineral sector today is not the absence of resources or talent, but the gap between available technology and its large-scale deployment in mines. Artificial Intelligence, automation, digita...