Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL), a new joint venture company established with equity contributions from three Central Public Sector Enterprises—National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL), and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd (MECL)—is set to enhance India’s strategic mineral supply chain. The company aims to secure resilient supplies of critical minerals by identifying, exploring, acquiring, developing, mining, processing, procuring, and selling these resources from abroad.
KABIL has made significant progress in its mission, focusing on critical minerals such as Lithium (Li) and Cobalt (Co). The company is currently exploring acquisition opportunities in Argentina, Australia, and Chile.
In Argentina, KABIL has secured an Exploration and Development contract with the state-owned company for lithium blocks in the Catamarca Province. This deal grants KABIL exclusive rights to explore and develop these lithium resources. The company has commenced the process of obtaining necessary statutory clearances and is preparing for exploration activities.
In Australia, KABIL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Critical Mineral Office (CMO) of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISER). This MoU will facilitate joint due diligence and investments in Australian lithium and cobalt mining assets. The agreement aims to aid KABIL in making long-term investment decisions and establishing off-take arrangements to ensure a sustainable supply of these critical minerals to India.
Additionally, KABIL has entered into a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with Chile’s state-owned company, ENAMI, to explore brine-type lithium blocks in Chile. The company is actively seeking other opportunities in countries with rich mineral potential for future investments.
Moreover, Coal India Ltd. (CIL), a key player in KABIL’s ventures, has submitted an expression of interest in response to a Request for Information (RFI) by the Government of Chile. This RFI pertains to the development of projects for the exploration, extraction, and processing of lithium-containing salts or other deposits.
KABIL’s international activities align with the goals of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), an initiative designed to accelerate the development of diverse and sustainable critical energy mineral supply chains. MSP partners, including India, Australia, Canada, and several European countries, work to support projects that meet high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. The partnership emphasizes local value addition and community upliftment as part of the global clean energy transition.
Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, highlighted these developments in a written reply in Lok Sabha today, emphasizing the strategic importance of KABIL’s efforts to secure critical minerals for India’s future.
