India Expands Critical Minerals Hunt in Zambia, DRC, and Australia
India is actively exploring critical mineral mining in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Australia to secure key raw materials like lithium, Mines Secretary VL Kantha Rao announced on Thursday.
State-owned companies, including Coal India, NMDC, and ONGC Videsh, are involved in mineral exploration in Australia as part of India’s strategy to reduce dependence on imports, particularly for lithium—an essential component in energy transition technologies.
India is still developing its lithium processing capabilities, a field currently dominated by China. Meanwhile, the Zambian government has allocated 9,000 km² for India’s exploration of cobalt and copper. India is also considering opportunities in the DRC and Tanzania.
At a press conference, India’s Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy confirmed that the government is exploring domestic lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir, with further clarity expected by May 2025.
The country discovered its first lithium deposits in the region in 2023, estimated at 5.9 million metric tons, but has yet to attract bids for mining rights.
Recognizing the strategic importance of critical minerals, India classified over 20 such minerals—including lithium—as essential for its energy transition and industrial needs. In January 2025, the government approved a $1.88 billion investment to develop the sector.
