Budget 2025: A Big Push for Sustainability with Zero Duties on Critical Mineral Waste

In a significant move under Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the removal of customs duties on waste and scrap of 12 critical minerals, including cobalt, tungsten, lithium, copper, and rare earth elements. This initiative aims to boost domestic manufacturing, reduce reliance on imports, and promote recycling across industries like renewable energy, electric vehicles, and electronics.

 

The government is also formulating policies to recover these critical minerals from mining by-products, ensuring sustainable resource use. Experts view this decision as a major step toward supporting India's green energy transition, enhancing the "Make in India" initiative, and strengthening the country's global competitiveness in advanced manufacturing sectors.

 

Source: Reuters