Why in the News?
- India’s negotiations with Zambia over critical minerals mining have stalled due to lack of clarity on mining rights.
- Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa bordered by eight nations: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (north), Tanzania (northeast), Malawi and Mozambique (east), Zimbabwe and Botswana (south), Namibia (southwest), and Angola (west).
Key Highlights
- India allocated: ~9,000 sq km in Zambia for exploration
- Minerals: Cobalt and Copper
- Exploration: Indian geologists collected samples
- Plan:
- 3-year exploration
- Later private sector participation (if mining rights granted)
What are Critical Minerals
- Essential for:
- Energy transition
- Strategic industries
- High-tech manufacturing
Key Minerals
1. Cobalt
- Used in: EV batteries and Electronics
- India: Highly import dependent
2. Copper
- Used in: Power infrastructure, Electronics, and Construction
- Imports rising due to domestic constraints
Why Talks Stalled
- Zambia has not assured: Mining rights
- Without rights: Commercial extraction not possible
India’s Strategy
- Secure minerals via: Government-to-government deals
- Focus regions: Africa, Australia, and Latin America
| [2023] About three-fourths of world’s cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by: (a) Argentina (b) Botswana (c) the Democratic Republic of the Congo (d) Kazakhstan |
