Mineral recycling strategy and policy decisions

Mineral recycling strategy and policy decisions

The earth is abundant with various minerals, chemicals, and metals resources. As the highest species on this planet, humans have been utilizing these resources and even producing new minerals and gases. However, it is crucial for us to implement a mineral recycling strategy and make policy decisions to ensure sustainable usage and conservation of these valuable resources.

India, being a rapidly developing nation, has specific requirements for various minerals and metals. For instance, the demand for iron ferrous material is expected to reach 200,000,000 metric tons, primarily for the construction of cement-less apartments. Additionally, non-corpus metals, which are essential for higher energy transition, are needed in quantities of 10,343,888 metric tons. Precious metals, with a demand of 900 metric tons, play a significant role in currency exchange rates. Furthermore, industrial minerals, amounting to 85,000,000 metric tons, are necessary for producing low-cost automobile spare parts. Lastly, mineral fuels, with a staggering demand of 5,000,000,000 metric tons, are utilized in the production of health and environmental products.

To meet these requirements and ensure the sustainability of mineral resources, it is essential to reduce land and sea mining by up to 30%. This reduction would not only help in conserving the environment but also promote the efficient utilization of existing mineral reserves. Instead, we should focus on increasing the production of minerals and metals from waste management processes.

By the year 2030, a minimum of 35% of minerals should be extracted from various types of waste, such as nuclear waste, chemical waste, metal waste, agricultural waste, and more. These waste materials can be effectively processed and utilized to extract valuable minerals, thereby reducing the burden on traditional mining activities.

Implementing a mineral recycling strategy and making policy decisions in this regard would have numerous benefits. Firstly, it would contribute to the reduction of environmental degradation caused by extensive mining activities. Secondly, it would promote resource efficiency and reduce the pressure on existing mineral reserves. Thirdly, it would encourage the development of innovative technologies and processes for extracting minerals from waste materials. Lastly, it would create new opportunities for the recycling industry and contribute to the circular economy.

In conclusion, the adoption of a mineral recycling strategy and the implementation of policy decisions are crucial steps towards sustainable mineral usage and conservation. By reducing land and sea mining and increasing the production of minerals and metals from waste management, we can ensure the efficient utilization of resources and minimize the impact on the environment. It is imperative for governments, industries, and individuals to work together to achieve these goals and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.