India’s Critical Minerals Initiatives: A Step Towards Self-Reliance and Global Leadership

• China currently dominates the global supply chain for critical minerals, controlling over 60-70% of rare earth elements processing and more than 80% of global lithium refining capacity.
• To reduce dependence on fresh mining, India must scale up its e-waste recycling industry, extracting lithium, cobalt, and rare earths from used batteries, old electronics, and industrial waste.
• Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has undertaken transformative reforms in the critical minerals sector.
• By fostering R&D, policy reforms, international collaborations, and a strong industrial base, India can emerge as a global leader in critical minerals processing and supply.

Introduction

In a landmark move, India has taken significant strides in securing its critical mineral supply chain, recognizing the strategic importance of these resources for national security, economic growth, and the clean energy transition. With growing geopolitical tensions and the rapid shift towards renewable energy and advanced technologies, India’s efforts to bolster its critical minerals strategy are commendable. However, challenges persist in establishing a robust supply chain, overcoming global dependencies, and developing indigenous processing and extraction technologies.

India’s Critical Minerals Strategy

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has undertaken transformative reforms in the critical minerals sector. His proactive policies under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and energy transition roadmap have propelled the country toward self-reliance in critical minerals. The government’s focus on exploration, domestic processing, and international collaborations demonstrates a strategic approach to securing India’s mineral future. The recent policy thrusts, including boosting investments, liberalizing the mining sector, and forming global alliances, underscore India’s commitment to becoming a leading force in critical minerals.

The Indian government has undertaken multiple initiatives to strengthen its position in the global critical minerals landscape. The establishment of Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) is a strategic move aimed at securing mineral assets abroad and reducing dependence on imports. Additionally, the introduction of critical mineral auctions, increased exploration funding under the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), and partnerships with international stakeholders demonstrate India’s commitment to building a resilient critical mineral ecosystem.

With a focus on key minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, rare earth elements (REEs), and titanium, India is paving the way for its transition to clean energy, electric mobility, and advanced manufacturing. The recent lithium discovery in Jammu & Kashmir and exploration efforts in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Arunachal Pradesh highlight the country’s untapped mineral potential.

India’s Critical Minerals Mission

The Critical Minerals Mission, recently launched by the Indian government, aims to create a comprehensive roadmap for the exploration, mining, processing, and supply chain development of critical minerals. The mission seeks to:

• Develop domestic capabilities in exploration and refining through policy interventions and R&D investments.
• Establish strategic reserves of critical minerals to insulate India from supply shocks.
• Promote public-private partnerships to attract investments in mineral processing and manufacturing.
• Foster international collaborations for technology transfer and sustainable mining practices.
• Encourage recycling and circular economy models to reduce dependence on primary mineral extraction.

This mission aligns with India’s broader vision of achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in critical minerals, positioning the country as a global hub for mineral security.

Global Supply Chain Challenges

Despite India’s commendable efforts, the critical minerals sector is fraught with supply chain challenges, primarily due to global dependencies and geopolitical disruptions.

China’s Dominance in the Critical Minerals Sector

China currently dominates the global supply chain for critical minerals, controlling over 60-70% of rare earth elements processing and more than 80% of global lithium refining capacity. This monopolization presents a significant risk to global markets, as witnessed in previous supply restrictions imposed by China. The recent export restrictions on gallium and germanium serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities associated with excessive dependence on a single nation. India must develop alternative supply chain routes and invest in downstream processing facilities to mitigate such risks.

US-Ukraine Conflict and Rare Earths

The ongoing US-Ukraine conflict has further intensified the global race for rare earths and other critical minerals. The United States views rare earth as a matter of national security, given their extensive use in defence systems, aerospace, electric vehicles (EVs), and clean energy technologies. The US is actively investing in rare earth mining and processing to reduce its reliance on China, forming partnerships with allies such as Australia, Canada, and India to diversify the supply chain. India has the opportunity to emerge as a key player in this evolving landscape by leveraging its mineral-rich geography and technological capabilities.

The Path to Self-Reliance: India’s Technological Development in Critical Minerals Processing

To ensure self-sufficiency, India must develop a comprehensive strategy for processing and extraction technologies. This includes:

1. Advanced Refining and Processing Technologies

India needs to invest in state-of-the-art hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processing facilities to refine lithium, rare earth elements, and other critical minerals. Currently, India lacks large-scale refining capabilities, forcing it to export raw materials for processing, only to import finished products at a higher cost.

2. Indigenous R&D and Innovation

The development of indigenous solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrochemical processing technologies is crucial. Research collaborations between CSIR, IITs, ISRO, and private players can accelerate the creation of breakthrough technologies that minimize environmental impact and enhance extraction efficiency.

3. Recycling and Urban Mining

To reduce dependence on fresh mining, India must scale up its e-waste recycling industry. Extracting lithium, cobalt, and rare earths from used batteries, old electronics, and industrial waste can significantly contribute to domestic supply. Companies focusing on urban mining should receive government incentives to scale their operations.

4. Strategic Global Partnerships

India must deepen strategic alliances with mineral-rich countries like Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and African nations for raw material access while simultaneously expanding its domestic refining and processing capacity. Joint ventures with global players in mineral processing can help India adopt cutting-edge extraction technologies.

5. Policy Reforms and Investment in Domestic Mining

The simplification of mining policies, increased private sector participation, and faster environmental clearances will encourage investment in domestic critical mineral extraction. The government must ensure a stable regulatory framework to attract foreign and domestic capital into the sector.

Conclusion

India’s critical minerals initiatives mark a significant step toward economic resilience and energy security. While the nation has made commendable progress, addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, reducing import dependency, and building indigenous technological capabilities remain key challenges. By fostering R&D, policy reforms, international collaborations, and a strong industrial base, India can emerge as a global leader in critical minerals processing and supply.

The time is ripe for India to harness its mineral wealth, accelerate its transition to a self-reliant critical minerals ecosystem, and cement its position in the global supply chain. The future belongs to nations that can secure, refine, and innovate in critical minerals, and India must seize this opportunity to drive sustainable economic growth and technological supremacy.

References: 

• _{https://www.fortuneindia.com/economy/india-to-ramp-up-critical-mineral-auctions-to-cut-import-dependence-by-2031-union-minister-satish-chandra-dubey-says/120754}
• _{https://www.vifindia.org/article/2025/february/13/National-Critical-Mineral-Mission}
• _{https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2097309}
• _{https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1984942}
• _{https://www.mines.gov.in/admin/storage/app/uploads/64352887bcfa41681205383.pdf}
• _{https://ieefa.org/resources/indias-hunt-critical-minerals}

Channamallikarjun B. Patil

Channamallikarjun B. Patil is the Founder of GeoExpOre Pvt Ltd, a Company Specializing in Critical Mineral Exploration and Processing Technologies. Views expressed are the author’s own.