India’s discussions with Zambia on critical minerals exploration have stalled due to a lack of assurances from Lusaka on mining rights, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
India was allocated 9,000 square km (3,474.92 square miles) last year to explore cobalt, a key material used in batteries for electric vehicles and mobile phones, as well as copper, which is widely used in power generation, electronics and construction.
An exploration team of geologists was sent by India last year and has since returned with mineral samples, including cobalt and copper.
The programme was planned to run for three years, after which India intended to involve private sector companies, subject to securing mining rights.
It remains unclear why Zambia has not provided the assurances required for mining rights. New Delhi is still seeking to restart discussions, although one source said the situation remains uncertain.
The sources declined to be identified as the discussions are not public. India’s Ministry of Mines did not respond to a request for comment.
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India has been pursuing government-to-government agreements across Africa to secure access to critical mineral blocks, while also exploring similar opportunities in Australia and Latin America.
The talks come as India seeks to reduce vulnerability in tightening global copper markets. Internal discussions were held last year on securing long-term supplies during ongoing trade negotiations.
India’s copper imports have increased significantly since the 2018 shutdown of Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper smelter. The country imported 1.2 million metric tons of copper in the fiscal year ending March 2025, a 4% rise from the previous year.
India is also heavily dependent on cobalt imports, with cobalt oxide shipments rising 20% in 2024–25 to 693 metric tons, government data showed.
What this means for Africa
The stalled talks highlight how African mining rights remain central to global competition for critical minerals. It also reflects how policy uncertainty or regulatory conditions in resource-rich African countries can directly influence long-term investment and exploration partnerships with major economies like India.
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Image Credit: Freepik
