The Zambian Government has allocated 9,000km² to India for the exploration of cobalt and copper as the South Asian nation ups its effort in expanding global mining efforts to secure critical minerals supply.
Furthermore, India is seeking to secure supplies of critical minerals such as lithium by exploring mining opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Australia.
According to Reuters, the initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to lessen dependence on imported minerals essential for energy transition technologies.
India’s Mines Secretary, V.L. Kantha Rao, stated that companies like Coal India, the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), and ONGC Videsh are actively exploring critical minerals in Australia.
India is also exploring opportunities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Tanzania for mining these vital resources.
Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy stated that the country is assessing lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir, with more details anticipated by May 2025.
Despite identifying an estimated 5.9 million tonnes of lithium deposits, India has yet to receive bids for mining rights in the region.
In 2023, India designated over 20 minerals, including lithium, as “critical” to support its energy transition and meet the growing demand from industries and infrastructure.
The country is still in the process of developing its lithium processing technology, a sector currently dominated by China.
To accelerate progress, India has sought technical assistance from nations such as Australia, Russia, and the United States.
Last month, the government approved Rs163 billion ($1.88 billion) under the National Critical Mineral Mission to secure key raw materials like lithium.
An additional Rs180 billion investment is anticipated from the public sector.