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Lithium
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
A recent Geological Survey of India study has indicated the presence of lithium a widely used metal in the production of glass, aluminum products and batteries in some districts of Odisha, a senior GSI official said on Sunday. Lithium reserves have earlier been found in parts of Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir, he said. As such there is no major finding, but there are some indications of lithium presence (in Odisha). We are in a very preliminary stage, and therefore, should not make any claim. However, speaking geologically, some indications are there in the Eastern Ghat belt like in Nayagarh, Deputy DG of GSI Pankaj Kumar said. Kumar was speaking on the sidelines of a GSI meeting here ahead of the two-day National Mines Ministers' Conference in Konark, which commences on Monday. If Lithium is found in Odisha, it can pave the way for the establishment of electric vehicle manufacturing units in the state, an official said. Speaking to reporters, Union Mines Secretary V L Kantha R
The Congress on Saturday took a swipe at the Centre over the Geological Survey of India reportedly asked to conduct a re-exploration of the lithium reserves discovered in Jammu and Kashmir, saying this is typical of the way the "headline-obsessed" Modi government functions. Congress general secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh said it was a case of premature celebration. "Aap yeh chronology samajhiye: On February 13, 2023 the Modi government announced 'in typically grand fashion' the discovery of what it called one of the world's largest known lithium reserves in J&K. In November 2023, first auctions were conducted. The minimum requirement of three bids was not met and the auction was cancelled," Ramesh said in a post on X. In March 2024, a second round of auctions was announced but in July 2024 it was revealed this had not attracted even a single bid, he pointed out. In October 2024, the Geological Survey of India was directed to conduct a re-exploration of what had ..
Several thousand people rallied Sunday in the Serbian capital, accusing the populist government of cracking down on environmental activists opposed to a large European Union-backed lithium excavation project planned in the Balkan country. The protest outside the headquarters of the state RTS television station in central Belgrade comes after tens of thousands rallied in recent weeks against the opening of the lithium mine in western Serbia. The state-controlled TV station is accused of ignoring the detentions of anti-lithium excavation activists. Environmental organizations reported detentions of dozens of their activists after a big rally last month in Belgrade and elsewhere in Serbia, saying their homes were searched, laptops and phones confiscated while many faced threats on social media. Activist Nina Stojanovic told the crowd on Sunday that a total of 30 to 60 people have been detained or questioned in the past two months throughout Serbia. We are here to protect everyone, to
Coal India on Wednesday said it is actively pursuing acquisition of critical minerals, including lithium, in the domestic market and overseas and stressed that it would continue to take part in the auction of such blocks. Critical minerals, including lithium, play a crucial role in the production of clean energy technologies, from wind turbines to electric cars. They are particularly in demand for the production of batteries for electric cars. "With an objective to reduce the import dependence of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, CIL is actively pursuing acquisition of these mineral assets in India and abroad," Coal India Ltd (CIL) Chairman P M Prasad said during 50th Annual General Meeting of the company. CIL, he said, will continue to participate in e-auction of critical mineral blocks offered by the mines ministry. CIL has successfully opened its account in domestic critical mineral asset, emerging as the preferred bidder for Khattali Chotti graphite block in Alirajpur ..