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Stories

India's overseas critical mineral acquisition strategy

Still running. 2 entries so far, over 3 days from 10 September 2026.

01
10 September

Lohum lithium mining in Zimbabwe

  • Lohum has dispatched its first shipment of lithium ore from Zimbabwe, becoming the first Indian company to produce lithium from overseas assets.
  • The company has secured mining rights to 10 lithium blocks in Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland South Province.
  • The mining area covers approximately 1,100 hectares.
  • Estimated deposits in the region are between 30 million and 40 million tonnes of ore.
  • The assets are projected to support the production of approximately 300,000 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.
  • The estimated value of these assets is approximately $7 billion at current market prices.
02
12 September

India's efforts to secure lithium supplies

  • India is actively pursuing the acquisition of lithium blocks in Australia, Chile, and Argentina to address limited domestic reserves.
  • Engagement strategies include both government-to-government (G2G) negotiations and facilitation of private sector participation in overseas exploration and mining.
  • The Ministry of Mines is encouraging Indian private companies to secure overseas resources for supply back to India.
  • E-waste recycling is identified as a strategic secondary source, with a potential to meet 25-30% of India's critical mineral requirements.
  • A ₹1,500-crore government incentive package for e-waste recycling has seen 125 registrations, with 58 entities cleared for participation.
  • The e-waste recycling projects are projected to recover approximately 96 kilotonne of critical minerals annually.
  • The Ministry of Mines is coordinating with NITI Aayog to determine the allocation of incentives for eligible e-waste recycling entities.

Questions from this story

Newest first. A story that ran for 3 days is exactly the kind the mains paper asks about as one question.

  1. Discuss the strategic importance of securing critical mineral supply chains for India's transition to a green economy. How can a combination of overseas acquisition and domestic e-waste recycling mitigate supply risks? 150 words · 12 September
  2. The global race for critical minerals like lithium is reshaping international trade relations and industrial policy. Analyze India's multi-pronged approach to securing these resources and the challenges involved in balancing overseas dependence with domestic circular economy initiatives. 250 words · 12 September
  3. Discuss the strategic importance of securing overseas critical mineral assets for India's transition to a green economy and its impact on domestic manufacturing self-reliance. 150 words · 10 September
  4. The acquisition of overseas mining assets by Indian private firms is a significant shift in India's resource security strategy. Analyze the geopolitical implications of such investments in the African continent and the challenges associated with supply chain diversification for critical minerals. 250 words · 10 September