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State-run NLC India is at an advanced stage of discussions with a Russian government-owned company for sourcing lithium from its mine in Africa. The development assumes significance as India is taking measures to ensure a stable supply of lithium to meet the country's clean energy demand. Sources privy to the development said that NLC India is in talks with a public sector company of Russia for equity participation in a lithium block in Mali, Africa. India is focusing on exploring and developing lithium blocks both in the domestic market and overseas, as the demand for this critical mineral is growing, particularly from electric vehicle battery manufacturers. NLC India's core business includes the mining of coal and lignite as well as power generation. The PSU has diversified into the renewable energy and coal mining business in India and abroad. The company had bagged two critical and strategic mineral blocks in the fifth round of auction. It won two phosphorite and limestone blo
The Quad grouping has launched an ambitious initiative to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals under a broader goal to strengthen economic security amid concerns over China's coercive tactics, including price manipulation and restrictions on the export of the vital resources. The decision on rolling out the "Quad Critical Minerals Initiative" was announced after a meeting of foreign ministers of the member nations of the grouping in the US capital on Tuesday. Critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and graphite are considered vital for high-end technology products, including electric vehicles (EVs), drones, and battery storage. China has been a dominant player in the critical minerals supply chain globally. The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya. In a joint statement, the Quad foreign ministers expressed "deep concern" over the
State-owned CIL is looking at lithium blocks in Australia and Argentina, company's Chairman P M Prasad said on Wednesday. Speaking on the sidelines of the 11th Asian Mining Congress and the 11th International Mining Exhibition, Prasad said Coal India Ltd (CIL) is targetting a production of 875 million tonnes (MT) and offtake of 900 MT in the 2025-26 fiscal year. The company accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal production. Prasad further said the Rs 10 per tonne price hike for both coking and non-coking coal with effect from April 16 will have minor impact on the company's revenue. CIL's pithead stock as on March 31, 2025 was 106 million tonnes, the highest so far. CIL's foray into critical minerals is driven by the need to reduce its reliance on coal and align with global trends prioritising these minerals for clean energy technologies.
India and Argentina on Wednesday signed an agreement for deeper collaboration in exploration and resource development of critical minerals, particularly lithium, an official statement said. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy, Governor of Catamarca, Argentina, Ral Alejandro Jalil, here. Both sides discussed expanding cooperation in the mining sector, particularly in lithium exploration and investment opportunities, the Ministry of Mines said in a statement. "A key highlight of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a PSU under the Ministry of Mines, and the Provincial Government of Catamarca, Argentina, which will pave the way for deeper collaboration in exploration and resource development of critical minerals," it said. Argentina, known for its vast lithium reserves, is a crucial partner for India in securing essential