ecoHQ

It’s a well-known fact that India is one of the largest coal producers in the world. Primarily found in Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh states, it caters to approximately 70% of India’s electricity generation.

However, international commitment towards reducing carbon emissions has made the country realize the need for minerals for energy transition and net-zero commitments. Seizing the potential of critical minerals to fuel India’s economic growth and technological advancement, The Ministry of Mines constituted a seven-member Committee under the chairmanship of the Joint Secretary (Policy) to identify the list of critical minerals.

After discussions and quite a few deliberations, India has identified 30 critical minerals, which are antimony, beryllium, bismuth, cobalt, copper, gallium, germanium, graphite, hafnium, indium, lithium, molybdenum, niobium, nickel, phosphorus, potash, titanium, tungsten, and rare earth elements.

The government has also released a policy roadmap to support the country’s commitment to cleaner technologies and its goal of becoming a net zero emitter of greenhouse gases by the year 2070.

Lithium Reserves

India possesses significant reserves of critical minerals. In February 2023, 5.9 million tons of lithium reserves were discovered in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Lithium is a primary component in rechargeable batteries used in mobiles, laptops, and medical devices like pacemakers. Due to this discovery, the Geological Society of India (GSI) actively engages in more than 151 exploration projects nationwide. Reportedly, if J&K’s deposits are viable for extraction, India would be the seventh-largest source of lithium in the world.

Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL)

In 2019, the federal government formed KABIL, which involved three public sector undertakings: National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL).

With a stake ratio 40:30:30, KABIL’s goal is to secure critical minerals crucial to meet India’s industrial needs. India has forged an agreement with Argentina to achieve this objective and is also looking at exploration opportunities in Chile and Bolivia.

India-Australia Tie-up

To secure the critical mineral supply chain, India and Australia have jointly invested US$3 million each in five exploration projects in Australia: two lithium and three cobalt. The key objective of this partnership is to ensure a stable supply of vital minerals to meet India’s growing industrial demands.

Critical Mineral Policy

The development of a critical mineral policy is also in the pipeline. Reportedly, this policy will set an inclusive framework for the sustainable exploration, extraction, and utilization of critical minerals within the country, considering the environmental concerns and long-term resource availability.

Mineral Security Partnership (MSP)

India’s inclusion in the MSP brings it significant advantages, particularly considering its ambitious plans for electric mobility and developing its electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries. India joined the MSP to secure access to critical minerals needed for its clean energy transition and reduce reliance on dominant suppliers like China, which produces 60% of the world’s rare earth elements. Proudly, India is the only developing country on the list. Other members include the US, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Italy, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission.

Can mining be Sustainable? 

Scare deposits of rare earth elements and critical minerals are unevenly distributed worldwide, making a few dominant players control the market and challenging equitable access to the resources. These resources are pivotal to pulling some of the poorest people in the world out of poverty by providing them with livelihoods. 

So, India must focus on responsible mining, prioritising on:

• Environmental and social impact assessments of mining at various locations. 
• Enhancing recycling infrastructure for such resources instead of just fixating on e-waste and industrial waste management
• Land restoration of the mines’ end of life. 
• Bio-conservation and ecosystem protection around the mines.
• Land use management, preventing water depletion and contamination, and air and noise pollution.

Another important aspect of the mining industry is that it is inherently one of the most dangerous sectors for occupation. 

People working at the mines are susceptible to fatal injuries and, accidents and unsafe working conditions. Some issues include rock falls, explosions, trapping, electrocution, falling from considerable heights and fires. In India, between 2015 and 2017, reportedly, 377 miners were killed in accidents, and the numbers continue to increase. 

Health risks include exposure to harmful rays, materials, gases, coal dust, radioactive elements, vibrations, barometric pressures, and microbial organisms. Mining is also a physically excruciating occupation for labourers, causing shooting pains, numbness, fractures and swellings. 

Physical disorders include respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, disabilities and neurological degenerative disorders. Mental and psychological health risks include stress and trauma illnesses. 

So, the government should prioritise:

• Occupational safety, human rights and labour safety, community engagement and development, and indigenous people protection.
• Physical and Mental health promotion and handling health risks for people working at the mines. 

Such energy-intensive, profit-producing projects could also be affected by corruption and bribery, so the country has to incorporate ethical mining procedures, due diligence, and governance into the legal framework to ensure that mining is sustainable. 

Credits

The article was co-written by Smriti and Deepa Sai

Smriti is a certified digital content writer. She has a master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism, loves the mountains and the beach, lives out of suitcases/trunks (Fauji life)! Cold coffee fuels her creativity and helping out an animal in need makes her heart full.

The article was strategised and edited by Deepa Sai, the Director of ecoHQ.

References

1. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/sustainable-and-responsible-development-of-minerals
2. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/lithium-battery-and-critical-minerals-why-we-should-get-serious-about-mining-critical-minerals-for-clean-energy/articleshow/102650843.cms?from=mdr
3. https://www.india-briefing.com/news/india-identifies-list-of-30-critical-minerals-significance-process-and-implications-28802.html/
4. https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-mining-conundrum-for-critical-minerals
   https://www.shankariasparliament.com/blogs/pdf/india-in-mineral-security-partnership
5. https://www.iied.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/migrate/G01051.pdf 
6. https://juniperpublishers.com/imst/pdf/IMST.MS.ID.555625.pdf