- The Geological Survey of India has identified several lithium blocks in the northern states of Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh
NEW DELHI (Agencies): India is actively seeking mining opportunities to access critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and copper from Zambia, Congo, and Australia, according to Indian Mines Secretary V.L. Kantha Rao. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rao highlighted that the Indian government is working with a consortium of Indian state enterprises (KABIL) in these countries to secure essential resources for domestic needs.
“Through our missions, we are working on trying to get critical mineral assets for exploration and mining,” Rao said.
Critical minerals are vital for the production of technologies such as smartphones and electric vehicles. These include cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare-earth metals. The Zambian government recently agreed to allocate an area of 9,000 square kilometers to India for the exploration of cobalt and copper. Rao noted that the exploration process is expected to take two to three years, after which the government hopes to obtain the mining rights.
As the global demand for cleaner and sustainable energy sources grows, the need for lithium is on the rise. India is striving to reduce its reliance on imports, particularly from China, which currently dominates the lithium processing technology sector. In January, the Indian government approved the $1.9 billion National Critical Mineral Mission, a framework aimed at achieving self-reliance in the sector.
Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy emphasized that lithium blocks are in high demand. The Geological Survey of India has identified several lithium blocks in the northern states of Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh. Clarity on the exploration of these blocks is expected by the end of April or May, after which the blocks will be put up for auction.
India’s pursuit of critical minerals is driven by a lack of sufficient domestic availability. In December 2024, the Indian government called off an auction of 11 critical mineral mining sites due to a lack of interest. The global lithium supply is currently dominated by Australia and the “Lithium Triangle,” comprising Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. These countries hold more than 75% of the world’s lithium reserves, with the majority of this supply being shipped to China for processing.
This initiative reflects India’s strategic efforts to secure vital resources needed for the country’s technological and economic growth.