Syllabus: GS33/Science and Technology, GS2/ IR
Context
- India and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand and diversify the critical minerals supply chain.
What are Critical Minerals?
- These are minerals that are essential for economic development and national security.
- The lack of availability of these minerals or the concentration of extraction or processing in a few geographical locations could potentially lead to “supply chain vulnerabilities and even disruption of supplies”.
Applications of Critical Minerals
- Clean technologies initiatives such as zero-emission vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels etc.
- Critical minerals such as Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Indium, Selenium and Vanadium and have uses in batteries, semiconductors, solar panels, etc.
- Advanced manufacturing inputs and materials such as defense applications, permanent magnets, ceramics.
- Minerals like Beryllium, Titanium, Tungsten, Tantalum, etc. have usage in new technologies, electronics and defense equipment.
- Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are used in medical devices, cancer treatment drugs, and dental materials.
List of Critical Minerals
- Different countries have their own unique lists of critical minerals based on their specific circumstances and priorities.
- A total of 30 minerals were found to be most critical for India, out of which two are critical as fertilizer minerals: Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, PGE, Phosphorous, Potash, REE, Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium and Cadmium.
Significance of partnership
- India’s participation in the network will help in diversifying and securing its supply of critical minerals from nations like Argentina, Chile, Australia, and select African countries.
- The partnership marks a critical step forward for India in its quest to reduce reliance on China for these minerals and build a robust, self-sustaining supply chain for its green energy initiatives.
Other steps taken by India
- India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership, a US-led plurilateral effort of 14 countries and the European Union.
- India has joined the US-led Minerals Security Finance Network, an initiative aimed at strengthening global cooperation in securing critical mineral supply chains.
- Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL): It was formed in 2019 as a joint venture of state-run miners NALCO, HCL and MECL to source strategic minerals such as lithium and cobalt etc. from abroad.
Way Ahead
- Critical minerals have become essential for economic development and national security in the country.
- Minerals such as Lithium, Cobalt etc. have gained significance in view of India’s commitment towards energy transition and achieving net-zero emission by 2070.
| Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) – It is a US-led collaboration of 14 countries that would focus on the supply chains of minerals such as Cobalt, Nickel, Lithium, and also the 17 ‘rare earth’ minerals. – Members: Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Norway, Sweden, the UK, U.S., and the EU. – Mandate: To catalyze public and private investment in critical mineral supply chains globally. It directly addresses four major critical minerals challenges: 1. Diversifying and stabilizing global supply chains; 2. Investment in those supply chains; 3. Promoting high environmental, social, and governance standards in the mining, processing, and recycling sectors; and 4. Increasing recycling of critical minerals. |
Source: TH
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