Ashoka Centre for a People-Centric Energy Transition (ACPET) at Ashoka University and the Technology Innovation in Exploration & Mining Foundation (TEXMiN) at IIT Dhanbad have signed a strategic pact to accelerate research, policy innovation, and capacity building in the energy–minerals space.
The collaboration will focus on critical and strategic minerals, mine repurposing, and the broader intersection of energy and mineral systems, combining ACPET’s policy and energy-transition expertise with TEXMiN’s advanced technological capabilities in mining innovation. These include AI, IoT, robotics, and cyber-physical systems designed to modernize and optimize the mining value chain.
At its core, the partnership aims to drive research on mineral discovery, sustainable extraction, processing, and resilient supply chains, while also exploring how abandoned mines can be repurposed for renewable energy generation, ecological restoration, and community development.
It also places strong emphasis on environmental and climate analytics in mining regions, including assessments of carbon footprints, land and water use, and broader ecological risks.
The initiative arrives as India intensifies efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains and scale up its clean energy transition, aligning with national priorities such as energy security, reduced import dependence, the Net Zero 2070 target, and the broader vision 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.”
Beyond research, the partnership will produce technical reports, policy briefs, and joint publications, while also pursuing national and international funding opportunities. It will further support workshops, conferences, and exchange programmes for students and faculty to deepen interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.
Spanning three years, the initiative is positioned as an end-to-end effort to build integrated solutions across the energy–minerals value chain—anchored in sustainability, innovation, and a people-first approach to India’s energy future.
