https://sputniknews.in/20250227/india-appoints-nodal-officer-in-russia-to-bolster-cooperation-in-critical-minerals-8816399.html
India Appoints Nodal Officer in Russia to Bolster Cooperation in Critical Minerals
India Appoints Nodal Officer in Russia to Bolster Cooperation in Critical Minerals
Sputnik India
The Indian government is appointing "dedicated nodal officers" at its diplomatic missions in countries having deposits of critical minerals in order to bolster cooperation in the sector, Mining Minister G Kishan Reddy told a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday.
2025-02-27T19:50+0530
2025-02-27T19:50+0530
2025-02-27T19:50+0530
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The Indian government is appointing "dedicated nodal officers" at its diplomatic missions in countries having deposits of critical minerals in order to bolster cooperation in the sector, Mining Minister G Kishan Reddy told a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday.He stated that the External Affairs Ministry (EAM) was closely coordinating with the Mines Ministry on the matter.Indian public sector undertaking Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is leading the charge in the exploration and development of critical mineral assets in foreign countries. The government is also encouraging private companies to get involved in exploration and mining of critical minerals, Reddy said, adding that these efforts were aimed at securing pacts on a "government-to-government (G-2-G) level.Reddy said that India has entered or about to enter into an MoU with various countries to bolster the availability of critical minerals."KABIL and private sector entities will be encouraged to conduct mining and exploration activities in Saudi Arabia... The draft of the MoU is ready and both the governments are finalising the pact," Reddy said.Citing other examples, Reddy told the conference that KABIL has also begun exploration work for lithium in Argentina's Catamarca province. KABIL and Argentina's state-backed Camyen Se had signed an MoU for developing lithium blocks there last January. Argentina, Chile and Bolivia are referred to as the world's "lithium triangle", boasting half of the world's deposits of the critical mineral.He said that KABIL was also holding talks with Australian authorities to "acquire their strategic mineral assets"."The Ministry of Mines has also entered into an MoU with the International Energy Agency (IEA) in the critical minerals sector," stated Reddy.Further, he noted that India and the US also inked an MoU last October to "expand and diversify critical minerals supply chains".India and Zambia entered into an MoU for exploration in the area, known to have prospective deposits of cobalt and copper.The Indian minister also highlighted that efforts to scout deposits of critical minerals domestically were in full swing as well.Reddy said that India has also removed import duties on 25 critical minerals during the Union Budget 2025-26 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman this month.These include copper, cobalt, nickel, gallium, rare earth minerals, potash, tungsten, selenium, cadmium and graphite among others, with applications in emerging sectors such as Electric Vehicles (EV), semiconductor chips to name a few.Further, the minister noted that the Cabinet also approved the $4 billion 'National Critical Mineral Mission' to build "resilient value chains".Reddy said that the ministry was also funding nearly 26 Research and Development (R&D) projects in the critical minerals sector, including in other countries.
https://sputniknews.in/20230216/can-indias-discovery-of-first-lithium-deposits-drive-it-into-the-electric-vehicle-fast-lane-904073.html
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India Appoints Nodal Officer in Russia to Bolster Cooperation in Critical Minerals
Russia is one of the countries where a dedicated nodal officer has been appointed at the Indian mission to bolster cooperation for 25 critical minerals, Mines Secretary VL Kantha Rao has told Sputnik India. India is focussing primarily on Africa, South America and CIS nations to meet the shortfall in critical minerals.
The Indian government is appointing "dedicated nodal officers" at its diplomatic missions in countries having deposits of critical minerals in order to bolster cooperation in the sector, Mining Minister G Kishan Reddy told a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday.
"We have also developed an action plan with Indian companies working in the mining sector in these countries. These steps are being taken to boost imports of critical minerals to India and ensure availability," Reddy said.
He stated that the External Affairs Ministry (EAM) was closely coordinating with the Mines Ministry on the matter.
Indian public sector undertaking Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is leading the charge in the exploration and development of critical mineral assets in foreign countries. The government is also encouraging private companies to get involved in exploration and mining of critical minerals, Reddy said, adding that these efforts were aimed at securing pacts on a "government-to-government (G-2-G) level.
"There is a special focus by the ministry on accessing lithium deposits not only in India, but across various geographies," the minister said.
Reddy said that India has entered or about to enter into an MoU with various countries to bolster the availability of critical minerals.
He disclosed that India and Saudi Arabia were about to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the area of critical minerals exploration and mining.
"KABIL and private sector entities will be encouraged to conduct mining and exploration activities in Saudi Arabia... The draft of the MoU is ready and both the governments are finalising the pact," Reddy said.
Citing other examples, Reddy told the conference that KABIL has also begun exploration work for lithium in Argentina's Catamarca province. KABIL and Argentina's state-backed Camyen Se had signed an MoU for developing lithium blocks there last January. Argentina, Chile and Bolivia are referred to as the world's "lithium triangle", boasting half of the world's deposits of the critical mineral.
He said that KABIL was also holding talks with Australian authorities to "acquire their strategic mineral assets".
"The Ministry of Mines has also entered into an MoU with the International Energy Agency (IEA) in the critical minerals sector," stated Reddy.
Further, he noted that India and the US also inked an MoU last October to "expand and diversify critical minerals supply chains".
Reddy said that Zambia has also decided to allocate to India a greenfield area of around 9,000 square kilometres in the North-Western Province to carry out exploration work.
India and Zambia entered into an MoU for exploration in the area, known to have prospective deposits of cobalt and copper.
The Indian minister also highlighted that efforts to scout deposits of critical minerals domestically were in full swing as well.
"The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh. A special team has been appointed to visit Jammu and Kashmir in coming weeks. By April-May, we will have more clarity on the matter," Reddy said.
Reddy said that India has also removed import duties on 25 critical minerals during the Union Budget 2025-26 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman this month.
These include copper, cobalt, nickel, gallium, rare earth minerals, potash, tungsten, selenium, cadmium and graphite among others, with applications in emerging sectors such as Electric Vehicles (EV), semiconductor chips to name a few.
Further, the minister noted that the Cabinet also approved the $4 billion 'National Critical Mineral Mission' to build "resilient value chains".
He said that the Ministry of Mines was also about to launch the first-ever "tailings policy" in order to recover critical minerals from sources such as mining waste.
Reddy said that the ministry was also funding nearly 26 Research and Development (R&D) projects in the critical minerals sector, including in other countries.
