India has been granted permission to explore copper and cobalt deposits in a 9,000-sq-km area in Zambia, with exploration activities set to commence in the following month, according to Mines Secretary, VL Kantha Rao. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) will lead the exploration team, with an initial investment of approximately ₹15-20 crore, primarily sourced from the Mines Ministry’s budget. Copper and cobalt have been classified as strategic and critical minerals by the ministry, highlighting the significance of this endeavor.
The exploration process, encompassing prospecting, drilling, mapping, and sampling, is projected to span two to three years before a comprehensive report on the feasibility of commercial mining can be generated. Subsequent to the final report, presented by GSI, discussions regarding the acquisition of mining rights will be initiated, as per the official.
Zambia, the seventh-largest global copper producer, garners nearly 70 per cent of its export earnings from the mineral, rendering it a key partner for India. This exploration agreement forms part of India’s broader initiative to secure critical mineral resources.
The collaboration with Zambia follows a previous memorandum of understanding (MoU) and the establishment of a joint working group (JWG) enabling India’s access to the greenfield area in Zambia’s North Western Province. “So this is a government-to-government arrangement and work will start in a month. The team is ready and will head for Africa soon,” Rao stated.
India’s expansion into Zambia marks its second significant overseas venture, following the acquisition of lithium blocks in Argentina through KABIL, a State-owned entity. India, a net importer of copper, incurred over ₹27,000 crore in imports in FY23.
Beyond Zambia, India is exploring additional opportunities for critical mineral resources across the African copper-cobalt belt, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Negotiations are underway for partnerships with nations in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), West Asia – Saudi Arabia and Israel, and countries like the US and Canada, reflecting India’s growing emphasis on securing essential minerals for its energy transition.
Efforts are intensifying to secure lithium resources, notably in Australia, as Rao highlighted. State-owned companies like Coal India, NMDC, and ONGC Videsh are actively engaged in exploring these resources. Lithium, pivotal for India’s energy transition and carbon footprint reduction, remains a priority. However, India is still in the process of developing its own lithium processing technology, an area where China currently holds a significant advantage.
