India has recently obtained permission to explore copper and cobalt deposits across a 9,000-sq-km area in Zambia, with exploration activities scheduled to begin in the coming month, VL Kantha Rao, Mines Secretary, told businessline.
The exploration team, led by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), will initially invest around ₹15-20 crore, which will largely come from the Mines Ministry’s budget.
Copper and cobalt have been identified as strategic and critical minerals by the ministry, underscoring the importance of this venture.
The exploration process, which will involve prospecting, drilling, mapping and sampling, is expected to take two-three years before a clear report on the viability of commercial mining can be produced.
Following the final report, to be presented by GSI, discussions regarding the acquisition of mining rights will be initiated, the official said.
- Also read: ‘Full duty exemption on 12 critical minerals’ scrap to boost manufacturing of finished goods in India’
Zambia, the seventh-largest global producer of copper, derives nearly 70 per cent of its export earnings from the mineral, making it an important partner for India.
This exploration agreement is part of a broader effort by India to secure critical mineral resources.
The arrangement with Zambia follows a previous memorandum of understanding (MoU) and the formation of a joint working group (JWG) that facilitated 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 said.
India’s move into Zambia is its second major overseas foray, following its acquisition of lithium blocks in Argentina through KABIL, a State-owned entity.
India is a net importer of copper. In 2023, the country spent over ₹27,000 crore on imports in FY23.
- Also read: India plans to fast-track critical mineral auctions with ‘on-tap’ policy
Other tie-ups
Beyond Zambia, India is exploring additional opportunities for critical mineral resources across the African copper-cobalt belt, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is also negotiating partnerships with nations in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), West Asia – Saudi Arabia and Israel, and countries like the US and Canada.
These efforts reflect India’s increasing focus on securing essential minerals for its energy transition.
Efforts are being ramped up to secure lithium resources, particularly in Australia, Rao said. State-owned companies such as Coal India, NMDC and ONGC Videsh are actively involved in exploring these resources.
Lithium, a cornerstone 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 lead.