India Revives Talks with Zambia on Copper and Critical Minerals Investment
India Reopens Zambia Talks as Global Race for Critical Minerals Intensifies
India has resumed discussions with Zambia over potential investment opportunities in copper and other critical minerals as New Delhi steps up efforts to secure overseas mineral supplies to meet growing demand from its expanding economy.
Officials from India’s Ministry of Mines held preliminary discussions with their Zambian counterparts on August 26, according to two people familiar with the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were confidential.
The renewed engagement follows an earlier breakdown in negotiations between the two countries.
Reuters reported in April that talks had stalled over a lack of assurances from Zambia regarding mining rights for an area covering about 9,000 square kilometres that had been awarded to India the previous year.
One of the sources said the latest discussions did not involve the project that had previously stalled.
India’s Ministry of Mines did not respond to requests for comment, while Zambia’s Ministry of Mines said it could not confirm the discussions at this stage.
India Expands Overseas Mineral Strategy
The renewed talks form part of India’s broader strategy to secure long-term access to critical minerals outside its domestic market.
Khanij Bidesh India Ltd, the country’s main vehicle for securing critical mineral supplies overseas, is evaluating investment opportunities in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Indonesia. The company is also in discussions over a project in Malawi.
India has been engaging several African countries in an effort to acquire critical mineral assets through government-to-government arrangements, while simultaneously pursuing opportunities in Australia and Latin America.
The focus is increasingly centred on minerals such as copper and cobalt, which are essential to electricity infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable energy systems and electric vehicles.
A spokesperson for the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries said Africa, particularly Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, could play an important role in meeting India’s growing requirements for copper and cobalt.
The industry body has also advocated for Indian companies to prioritise brownfield and near-production projects, alongside long-term offtake agreements.
Zambia’s Copper Sector in Focus
Zambia is one of Africa’s major copper producers and forms part of the broader Central African Copperbelt, which extends into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For India, securing greater access to the region’s copper resources could help strengthen its supply chain as domestic demand continues to rise.
India is the world’s second-largest buyer of refined copper, while its copper imports have increased significantly since the closure of Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper smelter in 2018.
The Indian government has projected that the country could need to import between 91% and 97% of its copper concentrates by 2047, highlighting the importance of securing reliable overseas supplies.
For Zambia, renewed interest from Indian investors could create opportunities for additional capital, mining partnerships and longer-term offtake arrangements.
However, the latest discussions remain preliminary. No new investment, mining agreement or project has been confirmed, and further negotiations would be required before any potential deal moves forward.
The renewed engagement nevertheless highlights Zambia’s growing importance in the global race for critical minerals and India’s efforts to diversify its supply chains by establishing stronger relationships with mineral-producing countries.
