India Expands Global Search for Critical Minerals to Power Clean Energy Future

India is engaging with Africa and Latin America to secure critical mineral blocks on a government-to-government basis. These minerals, such as lithium, are vital for clean energy technologies. Domestically, the Indian government has auctioned a lithium block in Chhattisgarh and plans to expedite its exploration.

India is actively negotiating with countries in Africa and Latin America to secure critical mineral blocks through government-to-government agreements, according to Veena Kumari Dermal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Mines.

Critical minerals such as lithium are essential for emerging clean energy technologies, including wind turbines, electricity networks, and electric vehicles. 'We are having lots of discussions with many other resources-rich countries both in Africa as well as in Latin America for getting a block on a G2G basis or on a priority basis,' Dermal stated at the India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2024 event, organized by India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA).

On the domestic front, the Indian government has successfully auctioned one lithium block in Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh government is expected to initiate exploration and production soon. Last month, Maiki South Mining Pvt Ltd acquired the country's first lithium block in Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, the auction of 14 critical minerals was cancelled in the second round due to a lackluster response. In the fourth round, 21 blocks were put up for sale, drawing 112 bids, though the auction for 13 blocks was ultimately called off. Seven of these blocks have been re-notified for the third-round auction.

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