Due to its rising demand countries are competing for strategic critical minerals. The government and private businesses have recognized the importance of critical minerals as it has become a matter of national security, business importance and building sustainable supply chains (circular economy).
However, few questions arise from the above excerpt:
1. Though demand for these minerals remain resilient with long-term growth; however, are we investing enough in domestic and international mining projects to create a stockpile of critical minerals in India? Risk Capital in Mining?
2. Defragmentation, supply chain, and protectionism are disrupting metal markets & risk slowing the transition. What measures are we taking to develop domestic processing, recycling, and refining for Li, HREEs, Co, Ni etc.?
3. In India, investors prefer safer and predictable returns rather than high risk and focusing on long run profit. Are long term investments in Battery R&D & technology innovation; RE Magnets; Advanced Chips materializing?
4. India as a country is obsessed with buying Gold and imported close to 750 tonnes of Au last year in 2025. Where are we sourcing Au from and have we invested in the right supply chains and gold mines across the globe?
As a specialist in International Trade and Supply Chains of Critical Minerals and Precious Metals, I had the opportunity to engage with some leading experts from India and globally a fortnight ago on the above topics and discuss the solutions going forward at Mining Critical Minerals & Clean Energy India Conference & Exhibition in Mumbai, India (10-11 Feb).
