Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Heavy Water Board, and MIDHANI sign tripartite pact for cobalt and nickel recovery

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, the Heavy Water Board, and Mishra Dhatu Nigam executed a tripartite memorandum of understanding. The partnership is dedicated to establishing processes for recovering critical metals, specifically cobalt and nickel, from industrial plant reverts. This initiative leverages public sector technical expertise to extract high-value elements from manufacturing waste streams.

Recovering strategic metals from industrial byproduct streams reduces import dependence for critical minerals essential to advanced manufacturing and defense sectors. Public sector research partnerships bridge the gap between laboratory technology and commercial metallurgical processing. Previously, plant reverts were often underutilized or discarded without specialized extraction. Industrial processors and metal manufacturing firms should evaluate their own waste streams for potential critical mineral recovery partnerships.

Supply chain strategists must monitor domestic recycling developments to mitigate raw material import risks. Bottom line: Domestic recovery of critical metals like cobalt and nickel strengthens industrial supply chain security and promotes sustainable manufacturing.