The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bhubaneswar-based Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT). This marked its entry into the critical minerals sector. The MoU is to explore and produce critical minerals found in the Singareni mines using modern technology. The MoU signing ceremony was held in Bhubaneswar in the presence of former Niti Aayog member and former DG of DRDO, Dr V.K. Saraswat, SCCLs CMD N. Balram, CSIR-IMMT director Dr Ramanuj Narayan, and senior officials from both organisations.

An official release in Hyderabad stated that preliminary findings confirm the presence of rare earth elements in some Singareni open-cast mines and fly ash from the Singareni thermal power plant. The Geological Survey of India also reported the presence of rare earth elements in the Durgam Gutta block near Manuguru. The rare earth elements have multiple applications in electrical and electronic components, lasers, glass, magnetic materials, and industrial processes. Fourteen types of minerals, including six light REEs (lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium) and eight heavy REEs (yttrium, scandium, dysprosium), were identified. IMMT will provide technical support and ensure the use of environmentally friendly technology during production.