In the year 2019 a joint venture KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited) was formed between National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and Mineral Exploration Company limited (MECL)
The main motive of this JV is to ensure mineral security and to attain “Atmanirbhar Bharat” motto for the strategic minerals. KABIL is to work for strengthening the supply of crucial minerals like lithium and cobalt for sectors like e-mobility, renewable energy, aerospace, aviation amongst others. So far, KABIL has engaged with source countries like Australia, Argentina, Bolivia and Chile where these critical strategic minerals are available.
In India, the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) conducted a preliminary survey on surface and sub surface explorations and discovered a presence of lithium resources of about 1600 tonnes in the state of Karnataka. In the wake of Union minister of Power Mr. R. K. Singh’s recent interministerial meeting to discuss strategy to acquire Lithium mines abroad, this is a welcome discovery.
Mr. R.K Singh recently chaired a meeting to discuss PLI scheme, status of bids on PLI scheme and the strategy to acquire lithium mines abroad. The meeting was attended by senior officials from power ministry, officials from ministry of mines, Ministry of heavy industries, ministry of coal and representatives of NITI Ayog.
Indeed, a well-planned step towards India’s long-term renewable energy targets.
(Recently published on swarajyamag on Dec 9, 2021 and The Hindu business line on Jan 4, 2022)
