India is ramping up its efforts to secure critical minerals by exploring mining opportunities in Zambia, Congo, and Australia, Mines Secretary V.L. Kantha Rao confirmed on Thursday. The world’s fastest-growing major economy is seeking essential raw materials such as lithium to support its energy transition and industrial growth.
Indian companies like Coal India, NMDC, and ONGC Videsh are already active in these regions, focused on acquiring critical minerals that are vital for technology and infrastructure.
In Zambia, the government has granted India 9,000 square kilometres for the exploration of cobalt and copper, while India is also eyeing potential mining prospects in Congo and Tanzania.
At home, India’s Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy revealed plans to explore lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir, with clarity on the project expected by May 2025. This follows the discovery of 5.9 million metric tons of lithium deposits in the region in 2023.
India’s drive to reduce its dependency on mineral imports aligns with its broader energy transition goals, as the country works to develop lithium processing capabilities, an area currently dominated by China. In January 2025, New Delhi approved $1.88 billion for the development of the critical minerals sector to support these ambitions.
