Diamond Jubilee Closing Ceremony of CSIR-IMMT

Bhubaneswar:  CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), originally established in 1964 as the Regional Research Laboratory (RRL), celebrated the grand closing ceremony of its Diamond Jubilee on May 13, 2025. The institute, proudly celebrated its Diamond Jubilee Year from 2023 for two years, marking 60 years of pioneering R&D contributions. The jubilee celebrations were inaugurated with a Curtain Raiser Ceremony held in January 2023, graced by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, setting the stage for a remarkable year of scientific and institutional milestones. Throughout the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, CSIR-IMMT had the honor of hosting several eminent dignitaries, including the Governor of Odisha, Ministers from State of Odisha, Union Ministers, Principal Secretary and officials from PMO & central Government, Secretaries from different line ministries and departments and DG, DDG & Other official from GSI. As a special occasion CSIR Director’ Conference was organized here under the leadership of DG CSIR. To commemorate the occasion, CSIR-IMMT organized a series of national and international conferences, workshops, and symposia, drawing participation from leading researchers, industry experts, policymakers, and academicians from around the world. Institute conducted diamond jubilee lecture series regularly during these years. The Diamond Jubilee was not only a celebration of six decades of scientific excellence but also a commitment to continuing CSIR-IMMT’s legacy of “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development”. To mark the occasion, technology transfers focusing on applications in critical minerals were formally handed over to: Excel Industries,

Mumbai on spent battery recycling and Onshore Engineering, Mumbai for establishing copper production plant at Democratic Republic of Congo. Technologies were also transferred to MIDHANI, Hyderabad on Cobalt Manufacturing Processes. Shri Sanjiv Kumar, CMD, Hindustan Copper Limited and Dr Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT signed an MoU to promote innovation in the processing of low-grade copper ores, extraction of associated critical minerals including overseas resources, recycling, plant operations improvement, etc. To contribute actively to the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, CSIR-IMMT has initiated and enhanced several cutting-edge R&D activities and infrastructure upgrades aimed at driving sustainable and future-ready technologies. As part of this effort, the institute has initiated establishment and modernization of key facilities, including a Hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Pilot Plant, Straight grate pellet pilot plant and India’s first Fly Ash Processing Plant and Platinum Group Elements (PGE) Pilot Plant. In line with national priorities on decarbonization and clean energy, CSIR-IMMT has also made significant advancements in green steel, coal gasification and low-carbon process technologies, reinforcing its commitment to environmentally responsible and innovation-driven development. The Diamond Jubilee closing ceremony was graced by Dr. Debashish Bhattacharjee, Chairman of Research Council of CSIR IMMT as Chief Guest and Shri Sanjiv Kumar Singh, CMD, Hindustan Copper, as the Guest of Honor. The ceremony witnessed the presence of over 30 distinguished dignitaries, including Directors of sister CSIR laboratories, Vice-Chancellors, Chairpersons and senior management officials from leading industries, scientists from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and heads of prominent academic and research institutions. The celebration was also attended by former Directors, present and former Scientists, staffs and students of CSIR-IMMT. The ceremony started with welcome address by Dr. L.D. Besra, Chief Scientist of CSIR-IMMT, and introduction to the guests. Delivering the Institute’s Diamond Jubilee Report, Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director of CSIR-IMMT, outlined the institute’s advancements in emerging research areas and its commitment to the national development agenda under the vision of Viksit Bharat. In his address Director, IMMT commended the contributions of CSIR-IMMT across multiple domains including: Mineral beneficiation, Metal extraction technologies, heritage metal craft, Critical Minerals- including PGE and Lithium, High ash coal gasification, straight grate pellet pilot plant, pilot scale continuous fluidized bed reactor, facilities for de-carbonization of steel Advanced functional materials, Development of indigenous equipment and instruments, AI/ML applications, pipeline transportation, recycling technologies, Research on polymetallic nodules and ocean mining, Environmental and societal technologies such as Biochar & phospho-gypsum biochar hybrid, Mission Nabrangpur etc. He also highlighted CSIR-IMMT’s impactful outreach and human resource development initiatives such as the JIGYASA – Scientist-Student Connect Programme, Vigyan Rath, CRTDH and Skill Development Programs etc., which are empowering the next generation of scientific talent and industry-ready professionals. Guest of Honor mentioned the relevance of scientific research meeting the challenges of future metal industries during his address.