Gujarat mineral development corporation Limited has announced the appointment of Shri Sandeep Kumar, IAS as Non-Executive Director, effective January 22, 2026. The appointment was made pursuant to Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Government Order and Board Approval

The appointment follows a Government of Gujarat office order No. FD/OTH/e-file/4/2024/0356/A (BPE) dated January 22, 2026. The order appoints Shri Sandeep Kumar as Secretary (Economic Affairs), Finance Department, Government of Gujarat, replacing Ms. Arti Kanwar, IAS. Subsequently, the Board of Directors approved his appointment as Director in the Non-Executive/Non-Independent Director category through circular resolution, subject to shareholder approval.

Professional Background

Shri Sandeep Kumar brings extensive experience in public administration to his new role. He is a senior officer of the All India Services (AIS) cadre with more than 20 years of experience in public administration. Currently serving as Secretary (Economic Affairs), Finance Department, Government of Gujarat, he has previously held positions across multiple government departments.

His professional experience spans various critical areas:

• Agriculture Department and Home Department roles
• Key leadership positions in the power sector
• Urban development and law & order management
• Energy and power distribution oversight
• Land revenue administration
• District administration and rural development

Regulatory Compliance

The company has confirmed that Shri Sandeep Kumar is not related to any Director or Key Managerial Personnel of the company in terms of Regulation 2(1)(zb) of SEBI LODR. Additionally, it has been affirmed that he is not debarred from holding the office of Director by virtue of any SEBI order or any other authority.

Company Information

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited operates as a Government of Gujarat Enterprise with CIN L14100GJ1963SGC001206. The company is headquartered at Khanij Bhavan, 132 Ft. Ring Road, Near University Ground, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad. The appointment strengthens the company's board composition with experienced public administration expertise as it continues its strategic transformation initiatives under Project Shikhar.

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited (GMDC) has achieved a significant milestone in its rare earths development strategy with the acquisition of indigenous processing technology from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The technology transfer ceremony took place on January 19, 2026, at BARC Campus, Trombay, marking a crucial step forward for India's critical mineral sector.

Technology Transfer Details

The transferred technology represents a fully indigenous solution developed specifically for GMDC's requirements. Key aspects of this development include:

The technology has been specifically designed to address ore-specific technical challenges associated with the Ambadungar deposit, providing GMDC with a robust pathway for processing the unique characteristics of this rare earth resource.

Implementation Strategy

GMDC has outlined a systematic approach for deploying the newly acquired technology. The company intends to begin with pilot-scale implementation, supported by continued technical assistance from BARC. This phased approach will enable comprehensive evaluation across multiple parameters:

• Process validation and optimization
• Recovery rate enhancement
• Environmental performance assessment
• Technical feasibility confirmation

The corporation plans to leverage its promoted institution, the International Center of Excellence in Mining Safety and Automation (iCEM) in Ahmedabad, for conducting pilot-scale operations and analytical testing activities. This strategic utilization of existing institutional capabilities is expected to optimize project timelines while strengthening overall technical competencies.

Strategic Significance

Shri Roopwant Singh, IAS, Managing Director of GMDC, emphasized the importance of this development, stating that the technology transfer represents an important step in GMDC's rare earths journey. He highlighted that this acquisition strengthens the company's ability to develop the project systematically and responsibly while building an end-to-end, future-ready rare earths value chain.

The Managing Director further noted that the company's focus remains on long-term value creation in alignment with India's critical mineral strategy and the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, underscoring the national significance of this technological advancement.

About the Ambadungar Project

The Ambadungar Rare Earth Project represents a significant component of GMDC's diversification strategy beyond its traditional lignite mining operations. The project involves processing hard-rock ankeritic ore to extract rare earth elements, which are critical for various high-technology applications and strategic industries.

The indigenous technology from BARC provides GMDC with the technical foundation necessary to advance this project through subsequent development phases, following successful pilot-scale validation and optimization.

Company Background

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited operates as one of India's leading state-owned mining enterprises and a Public Sector Undertaking of the Government of Gujarat. The corporation currently operates five lignite mines across Kutch, South Gujarat, and the Bhavnagar region, supporting critical energy and industrial requirements. GMDC is recognized as the largest merchant seller of lignite in the country, with an established track record in responsible mining and resource development.