India: Critical Minerals Profile
Major mineral producer and growing consumer pursuing domestic critical mineral security through strategic partnerships.
Overview
India is both a significant mineral producer and a rapidly growing consumer whose demand for critical minerals is accelerating in tandem with the country's industrialization and clean energy ambitions. The country is a major producer of chromite, titanium mineral sands (ilmenite and rutile), manganese ore, bauxite, zinc, and iron ore, with mining operations spread across multiple states. India also possesses notable deposits of rare earths in beach sand placers and carbonatite complexes, graphite in Jharkhand and other states, and recently identified lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government has designated 30 minerals as critical and is pursuing aggressive domestic exploration programs, including auctioning mineral blocks for lithium and rare earth extraction. India's partnership with Australia under the Critical Minerals Investment Partnership and engagement with the Minerals Security Partnership signal the country's intent to play a larger role in building non-Chinese supply chains.
Key Minerals and Resources
India's critical mineral profile is defined by its endowment of chromium, titanium, manganese, bauxite, rare earths, zinc, iron ore, and graphite. These minerals position the country as a significant global supplier in supply chains spanning the energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and defense sectors.
Mining and Production
India's mining sector is extensive but fragmented, with operations ranging from large mechanized mines operated by state and private companies to widespread small-scale and artisanal mining. Chromite mining is concentrated in Odisha, where the state-owned Odisha Mining Corporation and private operator Tata Steel's subsidiary IISCO are major producers. Titanium mineral sand mining occurs along the coasts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. Manganese mining is distributed across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and other states. India's Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act governs the sector, with recent amendments introducing auction-based allocation of mining leases and establishing mechanisms for exploration licensing. The government has launched critical mineral block auctions for lithium and rare earth deposits, signaling intent to accelerate domestic exploration and production of these strategic materials.
Policy and Regulation
India has adopted an increasingly strategic approach to critical mineral policy, identifying 30 minerals as critical and taking steps to accelerate domestic exploration and production. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act has been amended to introduce auction-based allocation of mineral blocks, establish exploration licensing frameworks, and create mechanisms for private sector participation in critical mineral development. The government has approved the exploration and mining of lithium and rare earth deposits that were previously reserved for state entities. India's participation in the Minerals Security Partnership and bilateral critical mineral agreements with Australia, the United States, and other partners signal the country's intent to integrate into global supply chain diversification efforts. Domestically, India is investing in mineral processing capabilities, including a planned rare earth processing facility and lithium refining capacity.
International Partnerships
India's critical mineral partnerships are expanding rapidly as the country positions itself as a major player in global supply chain diversification. The Critical Minerals Investment Partnership with Australia is among the most significant, involving joint exploration, investment facilitation, and technology cooperation. India participates in the Minerals Security Partnership, the Quad (with the U.S., Japan, and Australia), and has signed bilateral mineral agreements with the United States, Japan, South Korea, the EU, and several African nations. India's state-owned mineral companies, including KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited), have been established to acquire overseas mineral assets, with a focus on lithium, cobalt, and rare earth resources in Australia, Argentina, Chile, and Africa. India's growing manufacturing sector and massive domestic market give it significant leverage in mineral supply negotiations.
Supply Chain Role
India plays a specialized role in global critical mineral supply chains, contributing specific minerals that, while not always produced in the largest volumes, are essential for particular industries or serve as important diversification sources for consuming nations seeking to reduce supply concentration risks. The country's mineral exports enter complex global trading networks that ultimately feed into manufacturing supply chains for batteries, electronics, vehicles, aerospace systems, and other critical applications. India's strategic significance may increase as the global demand for critical minerals grows and consuming nations place greater emphasis on supply diversification and security of supply.
Related Country Profiles
Explore profiles of other nations that share regional ties or overlapping mineral endowments with India.
United States
North AmericaWorld's largest consumer of critical minerals driving reshoring and supply chain diversification policies.
Canada
North AmericaKey allied supplier and emerging processing hub for critical minerals in the Western Hemisphere.
Australia
OceaniaGlobal mining powerhouse and largest lithium producer pursuing downstream processing expansion.
China
East AsiaDominant global producer and processor of most critical minerals with unmatched refining capacity.
European Union
EuropeMajor consumer pursuing strategic autonomy through the Critical Raw Materials Act and diversification targets.
United Kingdom
EuropeHistoric mining nation rebuilding critical mineral capabilities through domestic projects and global partnerships.