India has taken a major step toward securing critical minerals for its rapidly expanding electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, with Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) commencing lithium exploration activities in Argentina. The government-backed joint venture aims to boost India’s long-term lithium availability, reduce import dependency, and reinforce the nation’s strategic position in the global clean-energy supply chain.
KABIL—formed by NALCO, Hindustan Copper, and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Ltd—has begun field exploration, geological assessments, and resource evaluation in Argentina’s renowned lithium triangle. The region, which includes Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia, holds over 50% of the world’s lithium reserves, making it a crucial hub for EV battery raw materials.
This exploration phase comes after bilateral agreements between India and Argentina focusing on mineral collaboration, technological exchange, and sustainable mining practices. KABIL’s on-ground teams are currently working across key Argentine salars to identify high-grade lithium brine deposits that can be commercially extracted and refined for battery manufacturing.
The initiative is aligned with India’s EV roadmap under the National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage, which emphasizes domestic battery production, secure raw material sourcing, and the development of world-class cell manufacturing capabilities. With lithium being a core component of EV batteries, grid-scale storage, and renewable energy systems, KABIL’s efforts mark a strategic move to fortify India’s energy independence.
The exploration is expected to eventually lead to long-term mining rights, supply agreements, and potential joint ventures for processing and refining lithium, ensuring steady feedstock for India’s upcoming giga-factories. As India targets large-scale EV adoption by 2030, this development positions the country to better navigate global supply chain uncertainties and compete in the international battery materials landscape.
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