Mumbai, Oct. 28 -- The Indian government is looking beyond domestic resources to secure critical minerals, including through exploration and extraction projects overseas, mines minister G Kishan Reddy said in New Delhi on October 23. He said India was exploring mines in Argentina and discussing similar opportunities with other countries.

Reddy said the government was also encouraging Indian entrepreneurs to undertake overseas exploration and processing of critical minerals. In 2025, Mineral Exploration and Consultancy, a public sector undertaking under the mines ministry, signed a memorandum of understanding with the provincial government of Catamarca in Argentina to strengthen cooperation in mineral exploration and resource development.

Argentina, which holds extensive lithium reserves, is considered an important partner for India as it seeks minerals used in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. The government launched the National Critical Mineral Mission in 2025 to establish a sustainable supply of minerals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, titanium and rare earth elements.

The minister said India was developing a rare earth element corridor across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. It is also setting up critical mineral processing plants in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Reddy said these measures would help India become self-sufficient in rare earth elements.

Rare earth elements comprise 17 metals used to manufacture high-strength magnets for strategic applications. They are used in military equipment, including drones and fighter jets, as well as electric vehicle motors and wind turbines. Reddy also described coal as the backbone of India's energy security, saying it meets about 50 per cent of the country's primary energy needs.

India has crossed the 1 bn mark in annual coal production, Reddy said. He added that the government wanted coal to be viewed not only as an energy source but also as an important industrial raw material. India is the world's second-largest coal producer and has the fastest-growing steel market, he said.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.