Kolkata, June 19 -- The eastern region of India is emerging as a key hub for critical mineral exploration, with significant reserves of bauxite, iron ore, chromite, lithium and rare earth elements, government and industry representatives said at the ASSOCHAM Eastern Region's 4th Minerals and Mining Conclave 2026 held in Kolkata on Friday.

ASSOCHAM Eastern Region Chairman Sanjiv Ganeriwala said several deposits remain at an exploratory stage, including lithium, nickel and cobalt finds in Chhattisgarh and Nagaland.

"We are now trying to establish these minerals, but the next challenge will be extraction and beneficiation," he said, adding that graphite blocks for EV batteries are being actively developed.

"In 2-3 years, we will have suff...