India is exploring critical mineral mining in Zambia, Congo, and Australia to secure essential resources like lithium. Key companies are involved in these initiatives. The Zambian government has permitted exploration for cobalt and copper, while India is also targeting lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir. Plans for future investments in this sector have been approved to meet industrial demands and reduce imports.
India is actively pursuing the mining of critical minerals in key locations such as Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Australia, as stated by Mines Secretary V.L. Kantha Rao. This initiative is pivotal for the nation to secure essential resources, including lithium, which are crucial for the transition to energy-efficient technologies. Companies such as Coal India, NMDC, and ONGC Videsh are currently involved in these exploration efforts.
In striving to diminish its reliance on mineral imports, particularly lithium sourced primarily from China, India is also enhancing its domestic capabilities. Recently, the Zambian government granted India access to 9,000 square kilometers for the exploration of cobalt and copper. Additionally, India is exploring opportunities in Congo and Tanzania to mine these critical minerals.
India’s Mines Minister, G Kishan Reddy, announced plans to explore lithium reserves within Jammu and Kashmir, with comprehensive details expected by May 2025. In February 2023, the government identified the first lithium deposits in the region, with estimated reserves reaching 5.9 million metric tons, although no mining rights auction bids have been received to date.
In 2023, over 20 minerals, including lithium, were classified as “critical” for India’s energy transition and to satisfy the increasing demands from its industrial and infrastructure sectors. Furthermore, in January 2025, New Delhi approved an allocation of Rs 63 billion (approximately $1.88 billion) for developing its critical minerals sector.
In conclusion, India’s strategic exploration of critical minerals aims to enhance its domestic capabilities and independence from external resources. The deals in Zambia and plans in Jammu and Kashmir underscore India’s proactive approach in securing vital minerals necessary for future energy technologies. With significant investments on the horizon, India’s critical minerals sector stands to grow substantially.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
