Source: PIB
Context: Union Minister of Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs has unveiled the first-ever report on “Critical Minerals for India.”
What are Critical Minerals?
Critical minerals are a group of minerals that are essential for various industrial sectors and have strategic importance for a country’s economy and security. These minerals are characterized by their scarcity, high economic value, and criticality in the production of advanced technologies and defence systems.
The report, prepared by an expert team constituted by the Ministry of Mines, identifies 30 strategically important critical minerals for the country.
List of minerals and India’s import dependency:
| Critical Mineral | Percentage import dependency of India | Major Import Sources (2020) |
| Lithium | 100% | Chile, Russia, China, Ireland, Belgium |
| Cobalt | 100% | China, Belgium, Netherlands, US, Japan |
| Nickel | 100% | Sweden, China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines |
| Vanadium | 100% | Kuwait, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Thailand |
| Niobium | 100% | Brazil, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Indonesia |
| Germanium | 100% | China, South Africa, Australia, France, US |
| Rhenium | 100% | Russia, UK, Netherlands, South Africa, China |
| Beryllium | 100% | Russia, UK, Netherlands, South Africa, China |
| Tantalum | 100% | Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Malaysia, US |
| Strontium | 100% | China, the US, Russia, Estonia, Slovenia |
| Zirconium(zircon) | 80% | Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Malaysia, US |
| Graphite(natural) | 60% | China, Madagascar, Mozambique, Vietnam, Tanzania |
| Manganese | 50% | South Africa, Gabon, Australia, Brazil, China |
| Chromium | 2.5% | South Africa, Mozambique, Oman, Switzerland, Turkey |
| Silicon | <1% | China, Malaysia, Norway, Bhutan, Netherlands |
Significance:
- Critical Minerals List prioritizes minerals essential for industrial sectors like high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transport, and defence.
- It will serve as a guiding framework for policy formulation, strategic planning, and investment decisions in the mining sector.
- This initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to achieving a ‘Net Zero’ target, attaining self-reliance and creating a robust and resilient mineral sector in India.
Other initiatives taken by India for Critical Minerals:
- India just joined Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) as the newest partner, which aims to strengthen critical mineral supply chains.
- The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is currently focused on exploring critical and deep-seated minerals to boost the growth of the mining sector.
- KABIL: A Joint Venture Company among NALCO, HCL and MECL named Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has been formed in August 2019 to ensure the supply of Critical Minerals.
