India Engages Africa and Latin America for Key Mineral Acquisition
ECONOMY & POLICY

India Engages Africa and Latin America for Key Mineral Acquisition

Veena Kumari Dermal, joint secretary of the Ministry of Mines, announced that India is engaged in discussions with countries in Africa and Latin America regarding the acquisition of critical mineral blocks through government channels. She highlighted the importance of these minerals, such as lithium, which are integral to various burgeoning clean energy technologies like wind turbines, electricity networks, and electric vehicles.

Dermal stated at the India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2024, organized by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), that they are actively negotiating with resource-rich nations in both Africa and Latin America to secure these blocks either through government-to-government agreements or on a priority basis.

She emphasized the Mines Ministry's increasing focus on exploring critical minerals within India itself. Regarding domestic efforts, Dermal mentioned the successful auction of a lithium block in Chhattisgarh by the government.

According to her, the Chhattisgarh government is now taking steps to initiate exploration and production activities at the lithium block at the earliest opportunity. Last month, Maiki South Mining secured India's first lithium block in Chhattisgarh through a sale process.

In other developments, Dermal noted that the government had recently cancelled the auction of 14 critical mineral blocks initially offered in the second round. In June, the government had initiated the fourth round of auction for 21 blocks of critical and strategic minerals. Despite receiving significant interest with 56 physical and online bids for 18 blocks during the first tranche of the auction, 13 blocks were subsequently cancelled due to insufficient response.

Seven of these cancelled blocks have been re-listed for auction in the upcoming third round.

Veena Kumari Dermal, joint secretary of the Ministry of Mines, announced that India is engaged in discussions with countries in Africa and Latin America regarding the acquisition of critical mineral blocks through government channels. She highlighted the importance of these minerals, such as lithium, which are integral to various burgeoning clean energy technologies like wind turbines, electricity networks, and electric vehicles. Dermal stated at the India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2024, organized by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), that they are actively negotiating with resource-rich nations in both Africa and Latin America to secure these blocks either through government-to-government agreements or on a priority basis. She emphasized the Mines Ministry's increasing focus on exploring critical minerals within India itself. Regarding domestic efforts, Dermal mentioned the successful auction of a lithium block in Chhattisgarh by the government. According to her, the Chhattisgarh government is now taking steps to initiate exploration and production activities at the lithium block at the earliest opportunity. Last month, Maiki South Mining secured India's first lithium block in Chhattisgarh through a sale process. In other developments, Dermal noted that the government had recently cancelled the auction of 14 critical mineral blocks initially offered in the second round. In June, the government had initiated the fourth round of auction for 21 blocks of critical and strategic minerals. Despite receiving significant interest with 56 physical and online bids for 18 blocks during the first tranche of the auction, 13 blocks were subsequently cancelled due to insufficient response. Seven of these cancelled blocks have been re-listed for auction in the upcoming third round.

Next Story
Real Estate

Navin’s Starwood Towers 3.0 Wins PM Awas Yojana Award

Navin’s, South India’s one of the most trusted real estate developers, has won the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) award third time in a row, as a recognition for its exceptional contribution to housing sector, this time for Navin’s Starwood Towers 3.0.  The award was bestowed on Navin’s by Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India at a felicitation function in New Delhi and was received by N Kalyanaraman COO. Navin’s is the only real estate developer in Tamil Nadu to have received this award. On the cove..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Hindustan Zinc Achieves 3.32 Times Water Positive Status

On World Environment Day, Hindustan Zinc, India’s only and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, announced that it has turned 3.32 times water positive. This leap from the previously certified index of 2.41 demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to responsible water stewardship. The milestone has been independently verified by DNV Business Assurance India, following a comprehensive on-site and data-based audit. Operating in Rajasthan, one of the India’s most water stressed regions, Hindustan Zinc reinforces its position as a water positive and zero liquid discharg..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

India's Aviation Leaders Reimagine Infrastructure for Viksit Bharat 2047

In the lead-up to the India Passenger Terminal Show (IPTS) 2025, Media Fusion LLC hosted a high-impact media roundtable in Mumbai, convening influential voices from the government, aviation, and infrastructure sectors. Held under the theme “Reimagining Airport Passenger Infrastructure through Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability,” the session offered critical insights into building airport ecosystems that are smarter, greener, and future-ready.The roundtable brought together a distinguished panel of speakers: Joseph Gouda, Joint Director, Indian Revenue Service; Sumeet Suseelan, Memb..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?