India has launched a National Critical Mineral Mission to accelerate its green transition and reduce import dependence. In January, the mission was announced, and now India plans to explore critical minerals in the Indian Ocean. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is also charting a road map, while India and Russia have signed a pact for joint exploration.

BulletsIn

• Critical minerals vital for EVs, solar, wind, defence, aerospace
• India listed 30 critical minerals in July 2024
• Includes lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, copper, titanium
• Global supply concentrated in few countries; China leads
• DRC major cobalt producer, Australia bauxite, Chile copper
• GSI running 195 projects in FY 2024–25, 227 in FY 2025–26
• Many deposits in Global South, chance for clean energy transition
• Mining poses risks: habitat loss, pollution, biodiversity damage
• Deep-sea mining threatens fragile marine ecosystems
• Environmental safeguards crucial before large-scale extraction