India Hops Onto Global Race for Critical Minerals

On 27 February 2025, Mines Secretary Kantha Rao that India aims to secure access to #CriticalMinerals to support its economic development. The announcement follows after India’s decision to reduce its dependence on imports from rival China.

For staters, India is looking at three countries Zambia, DR Congo and Australia. These countries are where mining have a disproportionate weight on the economy. The Copperbelt extends from Zambia into DR Congo. Australia is famous for its iron ore.

Recently, the Zambian government has agreed to give 9,000 square kilometers to India for exploration of copper and cobalt. At the same time, India is exploring opportunities in DR Congo and Tanzania. In Australia, several Indian are also in operation in the mining sector, notably Coal India, NMDC and ONGC Videsh.

Domestically, India has uncovered significant reserves of #lithium in Jammu and Kashmir and intends to put the resource to good use soon. The reserves of lithium is estimated at 6 million tonnes.

In 2023, India listed 20 minerals as critical since they are crucial for the #EnergyTransiton. As part of the National Budget approved in January 2025, the Government of India has earmarked INR 163 billion (USD 1.88 billion) for the development of the #CriticalMinerals ecosystem.