Critical Minerals of India are at the heart of the country’s clean energy ambitions and economic security. India heavily depends on imports for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which poses a vital strategic concern. The country’s requirements for these resources will increase nearly fourfold by 2030, according to the Ministry of Mines Critical Minerals Report and PIB Cabinet approval announcement. This situation has created an immediate need to secure domestic mineral supplies.

The Indian government has created a list of 30 critical minerals that includes strategic elements like antimony, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements. The Geological Survey of India has completed 422 exploration projects in the last three years. Currently, 195 projects remain active for 2024-25. The government launched the National Critical Minerals Mission with ₹34,300 crore allocated over seven years.

This piece will get into these strategic minerals and their uses. We’ll look at available resources, government programs, and the roadblocks to developing mineral capabilities. The discussion will also cover how these resources play a vital role in energy transition, defence, and high-tech industries.

Definition and Criteria for Critical Mineral Classification

Critical Minerals are those minerals that are essential for the country’s economic growth, technological advancement, and national security, but which face a high risk of supply disruption. These minerals are vital inputs for clean energy, electronics, defense, and high-tech manufacturing, and often have limited or no viable substitutes.

The Ministry of Mines used a detailed three-stage assessment process to classify critical minerals, as outlined in the Critical Minerals Report 2023. The committee’s original work involved studying critical mineral strategies from Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Japan, and South Korea. This research helped identify 69 elements/minerals that major global economies call critical.

The second stage brought together various stakeholders through inter-ministerial discussions. The Ministry of Power, Department of Atomic Energy, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, and others participated actively. This shared approach ensured proper attention to minerals essential for different sectors.

The committee developed an empirical formula to evaluate mineral criticality in the final stage. Their mathematical assessment included factors like substitutability index, minerals cross-cutting index, and import reliance. The team also analysed net import reliance and the country’s resource/reserve position before finalising their list. See Mongabay India.

Complete List of 30 Strategic Elements Identified by Government

July 2023 marked the government’s official identification of 30 critical minerals through an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. Below is the government’s official list of Critical Minerals of India

Mineral	Main Use / Sector	Import Status
Antimony	Flame retardants, batteries	Partially imported
Beryllium	Aerospace, defence	100% imported
Bismuth	Pharmaceuticals, electronics	Imported
Cobalt	Batteries, alloys	100% imported
Copper	Electrical, construction	Major import
Gallium	Semiconductors, LEDs	Mostly imported
Germanium	Fiber optics, electronics	100% imported
Graphite	Batteries, refractories	Domestic + imported
Hafnium	Nuclear, aerospace	Imported
Indium	Electronics, touchscreens	Mostly imported
Lithium	Batteries, energy storage	100% imported
Molybdenum	Steel alloys, lubricants	Imported
Niobium	Superalloys, steel	100% imported
Nickel	Batteries, stainless steel	100% imported
PGE (Platinum Group Elements)	Catalysts, jewellery	Mostly imported
Phosphorus	Fertilisers, chemicals	Major import
Potash	Fertilisers	Major import
Rare Earth Elements (REE)	Magnets, electronics	Domestic + imported
Rhenium	Superalloys, catalysts	100% imported
Silicon	Electronics, solar cells	Domestic + imported
Strontium	Electronics, ceramics	100% imported
Tantalum	Electronics, aerospace	100% imported
Tellurium	Solar panels, metallurgy	Mostly imported
Tin	Solder, packaging	Major import
Titanium	Aerospace, pigments	Domestic + imported
Tungsten	Cutting tools, alloys	Mostly imported
Vanadium	Steel, batteries	100% imported
Zirconium	Nuclear, ceramics	Mostly imported
Selenium	Glass, electronics	Imported
Cadmium	Batteries, coatings	Imported

Note: India is 100% import-dependent for these ten minerals: lithium, cobalt, nickel, vanadium, niobium, germanium, rhenium, beryllium, tantalum, and strontium. This heavy import dependency highlights the strategic value of securing these resources. (PIB press release)

Domestic Reserves: What India Has (and Where)

Most of these are in pre-commercial or inferred stages. No mineral-specific refining infrastructure currently exists at global benchmark levels.

S. No.	Mineral	Status in India	Key States / Notes
1	Graphite	Substantial reserves	Odisha, Jharkhand
2	Lithium	Recently discovered: 5.9 Mt (inferred)	Jammu & Kashmir (Reasi district)
3	Molybdenum	Limited but present	Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
4	Rare Earth Elements (REEs)	Present in monazite-rich beach sands	Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
5	Titanium	Available in ilmenite-rich sands	Tamil Nadu, Odisha
6	Vanadium	Estimated 24.63 million tonnes (inferred)	Arunachal Pradesh, still under exploration
7	Zirconium	Found along with REEs in beach sands	Kerala, Tamil Nadu

Key Critical Minerals: Strategic Comparison (Top 5)

India’s official list includes 30 critical minerals, but a handful are especially vital due to their:

• Cross-sectoral applications
• High global demand
• Complete or near-complete import dependency

These five minerals will define India’s energy, defence, and tech competitiveness in the 2020s.

S. No.	Mineral	Key Applications	Availability in India	Strategic Concern
1	Cobalt	Batteries, aerospace alloys	No primary production; sourced via imports	Heavily reliant on China-refined DRC supply
2	Graphite	Anodes in Li-ion batteries, lubricants	9 Mt reserves, especially in Odisha	Mostly natural flake; lacks purification facilities
3	Lithium	EV batteries, grid storage, ceramics	5.9 Mt (inferred) in J&K (Reasi); unexploited	100% import-dependent; no refining or mining yet
4	Rare Earth Elements (REEs)	Magnets, wind turbines, electronics, defence	11.93 Mt in monazite beach sands (Kerala, TN, AP)	Extractable, but no domestic separation/refining
5	Vanadium	Steel alloys, nuclear applications, flow batteries	24.63 Mt (inferred); exploration in Arunachal Pradesh	No commercial recovery or downstream processing

Global Context: How India’s List Compares to Other Countries

India’s method of identifying critical minerals matches global practices while addressing national priorities. The United States recognises 50 critical minerals based on national security and economic development needs. Japan lists 31 minerals as critical, the European Union has 34, Canada has 31, and the United Kingdom includes 18. (India Briefing)

Critical mineral resources show significant geographic concentration worldwide. Just 15 countries hold at least 55% of each identified critical mineral. Latin American nations possess large lithium reserves. The Democratic Republic of Congo controls nearly half the world’s cobalt reserves. Indonesia and the Philippines lead in nickel and cobalt reserves, with Indonesia becoming a global nickel powerhouse.

China dominates this sector by producing about 60% of global rare earth elements and molybdenum, and controlling roughly 85% of global rare earth processing. This concentrated distribution creates both challenges and opportunities as India develops its critical minerals strategy. (PIB press release)

The Ministry of Mines plans to update this list regularly to match changing national priorities and technological developments. (Ministry of Mines Report)

India vs Global Critical Mineral Strategy: Gaps and Comparisons

India’s inclusion of 30 minerals in its official list brings it closer to global peers like the United States (50 minerals), European Union (34 minerals), and Japan (31 minerals). However, India lags significantly in the depth of exploration, production efficiency, and especially midstream capabilities.

Global Benchmarking Snapshot

Country/Region	# of Critical Minerals	Focus Areas	Strength
EU (2023)	34	Renewables, EVs, green tech	Circular economy focus, diversified sourcing
India (2023)	30	Energy, defence, agriculture, electronics	Strong policy intent, but early-stage efforts
Japan	31	Electronics, EVs, and semiconductors	High-tech processing, overseas assets
United States	50	Defence, clean tech, semiconductors	Advanced R&D, strategic stockpiles

India’s Key Structural Gaps

Challenge Area	Details
Downstream Integration	No secure link between critical mineral supply and India’s gigafactory goals
Exploration Delay	Most discoveries are in inferred stages; few have feasibility studies
Import Dependency	Over 10 minerals are 100% imported, especially battery and tech metals
Land and ESG Bottlenecks	New mining projects face 3–7 years of delay due to approvals, local protests
Refining Infrastructure	India lacks commercial-scale lithium, REE, or cobalt refining plants

Strategic Importance and Applications

Critical minerals in India are often called the “new oil.” These minerals are the building blocks of the modern economy. Their importance spans many sectors and shapes our technological future and national security.

Energy Transition Minerals: Lithium, Cobalt, and Nickel

The world’s move toward clean energy has made lithium, cobalt, and nickel more important than ever. These minerals are essential for energy transition technologies. The International Energy Agency predicts that we will need four times more of these minerals by 2040 (FIIA).

These elements are vital components in batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, and other green technologies. Lithium-ion batteries power electric vehicles and store renewable energy. The availability of these minerals will help India meet its net-zero commitments and reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity by 2030 .

India aims to make 30% of its vehicles electric by 2030. Getting these minerals has become crucial, especially since EV sales made up only 1% of total vehicle sales in 2023 (NCMM Report).

Defense and Aerospace Applications

Critical minerals are vital for India’s defense and aerospace sectors. These natural elements help manufacture advanced defense equipment and contribute substantially to national security.

Minerals like beryllium, tungsten, and rare earth elements support India’s space programs, including the Chandrayaan-3 mission and upcoming Gaganyaan mission. Their unique properties make them irreplaceable in specialized defense technologies because of their strength, heat resistance, and ability to resist corrosion .

India works with the US, Japan, and Australia through the Quad partnership to strengthen critical mineral supply chains for defense applications .

High-Tech Electronics and Semiconductor Materials

India’s semiconductor market should reach INR 6750.44 billion by 2026 and INR 9281.85 billion by 2030 (US Trade). Electronic devices need many critical minerals. Integrated circuits lead the market with an expected volume of INR 320.65 billion in 2023.

Minerals like gallium, germanium, and silicon are the foundations of India’s digital revolution. These elements support new technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.

The government launched the India Semiconductor Mission with INR 843.80 billion investment to establish itself in the semiconductor market .

Rare Earth Elements: The Technology Metals

India has the world’s fifth-largest rare earth element (REE) reserves (PIB) but faces challenges in extracting and processing these minerals. REEs like neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium are valuable for energy transition projects.

These elements help polish glass, make optical lenses, and create high-powered magnets for wind turbines and electric motors (StudyIQ). Despite their name, rare earth elements are common in Earth’s crust but rarely found in concentrated, economically viable deposits.

High-value REEs like dysprosium and terbium are scarce in India’s current mining operations. Indian deposits mostly contain neodymium and praseodymium, but in very low concentrations. This makes extraction difficult.

Stable supplies of critical minerals are vital for India’s technological independence, clean energy transition, and national security.

Current Status of Critical Mineral Resources in India

India has vast mineral resources but faces big challenges in meeting its critical mineral needs. The country can’t keep up with growing demand as it moves toward clean energy and advanced technology goals.

Domestic Reserves and Production Capabilities

The country has good reserves of some critical minerals, but not enough to meet its needs. Graphite reserves total about 9 million tons, and Tamil Nadu leads production with 63% of national output. Arunachal Pradesh has 43% of the country’s graphite resources. India holds 11% of global titanium (ilmenite) deposits, yet spends ₹84.38 billion yearly on titanium dioxide imports.

India found its first lithium reserves in Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan’s Degana. The country has an estimated 5.9 million tons of resources but lacks the technology to extract lithium from clay deposits.

The country’s rare earth elements (REE) resources include 11.93 million tons of monazite from beach sand with 55-65% rare earth oxides. Andhra Pradesh leads with 3.69 million tons of REE resources. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha follow close behind.

Import Dependency Analysis: The 100% Import Reliance Minerals

India depends completely on imports for at least ten critical minerals:

• Lithium, cobalt, and nickel: 100% import reliance
• Vanadium comes mostly from Kuwait, Germany, and South Africa
• Germanium comes entirely from China, South Africa, and France
• Rhenium comes from Russia, UK, and China
• Beryllium and tantalum show no domestic reserves

This dependency costs India about ₹30,000 crore for FY24, with phosphorous taking up ₹12,648 crore (ChemAnalyst). The country’s critical mineral imports have more than doubled from ₹255.67 billion in 2020-21 to ₹675.89 billion in 2023-24 (IBEF).

Major Global Suppliers to India

China stands out as India’s main critical mineral supplier. It ranks among the top three suppliers for at least 15 of the 24 minerals listed by India’s Mines Ministry. Six minerals show heavy Chinese dependency: bismuth (85.6%), lithium (82%), silicon (76%), titanium (50.6%), tellurium (48.8%), and graphite (42.4%).

Japan and Belgium supply most of India’s copper cathodes and nickel sulfates . Russia and China provide most lithium oxide and nickel oxide imports, which creates potential trade risks.

We have a long way to go, but we can build on this progress. Only 48% of mineral blocks auctioned between 2020 and 2023 were sold. Many blocks lack G1 or G2-level exploration data needed for commercial viability. Old exploration techniques and missing detailed geological surveys keep private investors away from developing domestic minerals.

Government Initiatives for Mineral Security

The government recognizes how strategically important India’s 30 critical minerals are. Multiple initiatives have been launched to boost mineral security across the value chain. These programs will reduce import dependency and build resilient domestic production capabilities.

National Critical Mineral Mission: ₹16,300 Crore Strategy

The Union Cabinet has approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with ₹16,300 crore. Public Sector Undertakings will invest an additional ₹18,000 crore (PM India). This seven-year mission (2024-2031) covers every stage of the value chain. The scope ranges from exploration and mining to processing and recovery from end-of-life products.

India will step up exploration activities both within the country and in offshore areas. The mission will create a faster regulatory approval process for critical mineral mining projects. Companies will receive financial incentives to explore and recover minerals from overburden and tailings. The mission has provisions for mineral processing parks and recycling support. It will also set up Centers of Excellence for critical mineral technologies.

Geological Survey of India’s Exploration Projects (2020-2024)

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has significantly increased its exploration work alongside NCMM. GSI completed 368 exploration projects for critical minerals in the last three years. Currently, 195 projects are active in 2024-25. GSI plans to start 227 more projects that focus on various critical minerals in 2025-26. These exploration initiatives line up with GSI’s Mission-II for Natural Resource Assessment (GSI).

GSI has expanded its work from regional exploration to detailed exploration in promising blocks.

KABIL: Securing Overseas Mineral Assets

Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) was established in 2019 as a joint venture between three PSEs. National Aluminum Company Ltd. owns 40%, Hindustan Copper Limited has 30%, and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Limited holds 30%. KABIL operates under the Ministry of Mines to identify, explore, acquire, and develop strategic mineral assets overseas (KABIL).

The company is actively looking for opportunities in Argentina, Australia, and Chile (IBEF). KABIL achieved a major milestone by acquiring 15,703 hectares in Argentina’s Catamarca province for lithium exploration and mining (PIB).

The government will increase KABIL’s paid-up capital five times to ₹500 crore to fund more overseas acquisitions (Hindu Business Line). These efforts will help KABIL ensure environmentally responsible sourcing of critical minerals for domestic industries.

Challenges in Critical Mineral Development

India faces major hurdles in developing its list of 30 critical minerals despite government efforts. These challenges cut across multiple areas, from technical constraints to international politics.

Technological Barriers in Exploration and Processing

The country’s extraction capabilities lag behind due to poor allocation of mineral resources and weak regulations. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 fails to address modern mining needs. Private companies show little interest in exploration because the auction-based system doesn’t offer enough incentives. The processing capacity remains largely underdeveloped, which forces heavy reliance on imported refined minerals. This gap exists because operations run on a small scale with little investment in advanced processing technologies. India also lacks the expertise and money to develop deep-seated mineral deposits, especially complex ones like lithium from clay deposits.

Environmental and Social Considerations

Mining activities disrupt ecosystems and communities well beyond the production sites. Bad practices harm humans, plants, and animals through habitat loss and pollution. The world has seen tragic incidents like Brazil’s iron-ore tailings dam breach that killed 272 people. The ethical concerns are serious – children as young as seven work in unregulated cobalt mines without basic safety gear. Workers often develop cancers and breathing problems like silicosis and pneumoconiosis. Mining has also sped up deforestation, with a third of it happening in just the last five years.

Geopolitical Risks and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Supply chain security poses the most immediate threat to India’s mineral development. China holds a powerful position by controlling 60% of rare earth elements and 85% of global rare earth processing. This creates huge risks. India heavily depends on China for six key minerals: bismuth (85.6%), lithium (82%), silicon (76%), titanium (50.6%), tellurium (48.8%), and graphite (42.4%). The International Energy Agency expects critical mineral demand to grow 2-3 times by 2030, which could make supply problems worse. Price swings add another challenge – lithium prices jumped from US$590,663 to US$1,265,706 per ton between 2015 and 2024. Big mining companies now control global production through foreign investments, making it hard for countries like India to enter the market.

Conclusion

The Critical Minerals of India are without doubt the life-blood of the nation’s technological advancement and energy transition goals. These minerals hold strategic value that goes beyond industrial uses and directly affects national security and economic independence.

India relies completely on imports for all but one of these critical minerals, especially with China as the main supplier. This creates major vulnerabilities. The government has started a mission through initiatives like the National Critical Mineral Mission and KABIL that shows its steadfast dedication to mineral security. These programs come with substantial funding and strategic collaborations to boost domestic exploration, processing capabilities, and overseas mineral assets.

In spite of that, big challenges exist in technological, environmental, and geopolitical areas. The country needs to address its limited processing abilities, environmental issues, and supply chain weaknesses right away. The expected fourfold rise in demand for Critical Minerals of India by 2030 makes it urgent to develop resilient domestic capabilities.

The country’s success in securing these strategic resources depends on continuous government backing, tech advances, and productive international partnerships. India’s mineral security and technological independence rely heavily on stronger domestic exploration, better processing abilities, and environmentally responsible supply chains. Ensuring a sustainable and secure supply of Critical Minerals of India will shape the nation’s future as a global manufacturing and clean energy leader.

FAQs

Q1. What are Critical Minerals of India and why are they important?

Critical Minerals of India are naturally occurring elements with diverse industrial applications that face supply vulnerabilities. They are crucial for India’s energy transition, defense sector, and high-tech industries, playing a vital role in the country’s technological advancement and economic development.

Q2. How many Critical Minerals of India have been identified, and what are some examples?

India has officially identified 30 critical minerals. Some examples include lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, graphite, and titanium. These minerals are essential for various applications, from battery production to aerospace technologies.

Q3. What is India’s current status regarding Critical Minerals of India?

While India has some domestic reserves of critical minerals, it remains heavily dependent on imports for many of them. The country is 100% import-reliant on at least ten critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This dependency has led to a significant increase in import costs over recent years.

Q4. What initiatives has the Indian government taken to enhance mineral security?

The government has launched several initiatives, including the National Critical Mineral Mission with an outlay of ₹34,300 crore over seven years. Other efforts include increased exploration projects by the Geological Survey of India and the establishment of KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited) to secure overseas mineral assets.

Q5. What challenges does India face in developing its critical mineral capabilities?

India faces multiple challenges in critical mineral development, including technological barriers in exploration and processing, environmental and social considerations related to mining activities, and geopolitical risks affecting supply chain security. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for India’s mineral security and technological sovereignty.