New Delhi : The Ashoka Centre for a People-Centric Energy Transition (ACPET) at Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR and the Technology Innovation in Exploration & Mining Foundation (TEXMiN) established at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, have entered into a strategic partnership to advance evidence-based research, policy advocacy, and capacity building in the fields of critical and strategic minerals, mine repurposing, and the broader energy-minerals nexus.
This collaboration brings together ACPET’s strengths in knowledge generation on energy transition technologies and policy engagement with a community-focused approach, anchored within Ashoka University’s interdisciplinary ecosystem, with TEXMiN’s deep scientific and technological expertise in mining exploration using cyber-physical systems, including AI/ML, IoT, robotics, and Mining 4.0 solutions to optimize processes across the mining value chain. ACPET and TEXMiN will collaborate on research related to critical minerals, their identification, assessment, sustainable extraction, processing and supply chain aspects, as well as innovative approaches to repurposing abandoned mines for renewable energy generation, ecological restoration, and community development. The parties will adopt a people-centric approach to mineral exploration via integrated research on the linkages between mineral resource governance, clean energy deployment, and just transition pathways for mining-dependent communities. They will also advance environmental and climate analytics in mining regions using surveys, modelling and analysis to assess environmental impact, carbon footprint, land and water use, and associated climate risks.
The partnership comes at a critical juncture as India accelerates its transition to clean energy and strengthens its position in the global race for critical minerals. The joint initiative aligns with national priorities such as energy security, reducing import dependence on critical minerals, and advancing India’s Net Zero 2070 vision, while contributing to the broader goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Commenting on the partnership, Professor Dheeraj Kumar, Project Director, TEXMiN and Deputy Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, said, “We are excited with the new partnership with Ashoka University’s Center for a People-Centric Energy Transition (ACPET). Through this partnership, we aim to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies across the mining value chain while ensuring that sustainability and societal impact remain central. Together, we can enable safe, smart, and sustainable mining for India’s future.”
Vaibhav Chowdhary, Director, ACPET, added, “India’s energy transition must be both sustainable and inclusive. This collaboration with TEXMiN is designed to combine cutting-edge technological innovation with people-centric policy thinking to address critical minerals, energy security, and community resilience in an integrated manner.”
The two institutions will also jointly undertake research projects, technical reports, publications, and policy briefs involving faculty and researchers from both institutions, while co-developing proposals for national and international funding. The collaboration will enable knowledge exchange through workshops, conferences, and technical engagements, alongside student- and faculty-exchange programmes to strengthen cross-institutional learning and capacity building. This three-year collaboration, poised to create end-to-end solutions across the energy–minerals value chain, reflects a shared commitment to advancing a secure, sustainable, and people-centric energy future for India.