India to send teams to Chile seeking lithium and copper assets

According to a government source, India will send two delegations to Chile next month to look for lithium and copper resources as the country's rapid economic growth and New Delhi's efforts to accelerate the energy transition fuel demand for vital minerals.

Due to its position as the world's top producer of lithium and copper, two important elements for electric car batteries and renewable energy systems as we move away from fossil fuels, Chile is an ideal target.

The National Aluminium Company, Hindustan Copper, and unlisted Mineral Exploration and Consultancy, state-owned companies, have established Khanij Bidesh India (KABIL) as part of India's quest to search abroad for mineral opportunities.

"KABIL has to send a delegation to Chile in April," said the source, who did not wish to be named as details of the plan have not been made public.

"We are interested in buying assets. We are trying to facilitate private and government-owned companies to acquire assets in other countries as well."

The government is separately sending a delegation to look for copper assets, the source said. India, the world's third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China and the United States, has pledged to achieve a net-zero carbon emission target by 2070 and increase the share of renewables in its energy mix to 50% by 2030.

In January, KABIL signed a ₹2-billion ($24.01 million) lithium exploration pact for five blocks in Argentina. The deal, signed with an Argentinian state-run enterprise, gives KABIL exploration and development rights for commercial production.

KABIL, which is currently setting up an office in Argentina, is also in talks with another company in the Latin American country for lithium exploration, the source said.

At the same time, KABIL is talking to the Australian government to help appoint a consultant to restart due diligence that would pave the way for a lithium block acquisition in the country, the source said.

India is also looking at Africa for copper, cobalt and other critical minerals, VL Kantha Rao, the most senior official at the Ministry of Mines, said last week.

India is in the process of auctioning 38 critical and strategic minerals blocks, including lithium.