India’s Exploration of Critical Minerals

• 04 Mar 2025

Source: IE 

India is expanding global partnerships in Africa, South America, and Australia to secure critical minerals. 

• The government has allocated Rs 4,000 crore for domestic and international mineral exploration under the National Critical Minerals Mission. 

Key Highlights: 

• India secured 9,000 sq km in Zambia for copper-cobalt exploration, led by  Geological Survey of India (GSI), with mining rights expected in 2-3 years. 
  • Zambia ranks 7^th in copper and 14th in cobalt production (2023) with  existing investments by Canada and China. 
• India is engaging with Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Rwanda to acquire critical mineral assets. 
• India is already active in South America (Argentina, Chile) and Australia, where Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) is exploring lithium and cobalt assets. 

Critical minerals are minerals that are vital to a country's economy and national interest.  

• India has identified 30 key minerals, including lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel, and rare earth elements (REEs).

Read More: National Critical Mineral Mission, India’s Critical Minerals Roadmap.