Breaking Free from China’s Shackles on Critical Minerals

Critical Minerals.

Imagine your phone, a solar panel, or even an electric car. What do they all have in common? They rely on something called critical minerals. These minerals are special materials such as lithium, cobalt, and silicon, that are used to build technologies that power our world. They are vital for everything from smartphones to rockets. However, India depends on other countries, especially China, to get these minerals. This is risky because China controls most of the global supply. If China decided to stop selling these minerals, India’s industries and technology plans could come to a halt. This essay explores why critical minerals are so important, why India relies on China, and what India can do to reduce this dependence.

Why Critical Minerals Are Crucial for India

Critical minerals are the backbone of modern technology and green energy. For instance, lithium is used in batteries for electric cars, while silicon is vital for computer chips and solar panels. Rare earth elements are used in advanced electronics, wind turbines, and even defence systems like missiles and satellites. Without these minerals, it would be impossible to build the tools and machines that are shaping the future.

For India, the demand for critical minerals has been growing rapidly. The country has big plans to switch to green energy, which means using solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. It also aims to become a leader in technology, defence, and space exploration. All these industries need a steady supply of critical minerals. But here’s the problem: India does not produce enough of these minerals on its own. Instead, it buys most of them from other countries, especially China, which makes India vulnerable to supply disruptions.

Why Does China Control Critical Minerals?

China is the world’s largest supplier of critical minerals. This is not just by chance but because of years of careful planning and investment. China has a vast amount of mineral resources, with 173 different types of minerals discovered in the country. It has also invested heavily in mining, refining, and processing facilities to make these minerals ready for use. This gives China control over the entire process, from digging the minerals out of the ground to preparing them for high-tech products.

For example, China processes 87% of the world’s rare earth minerals, 58% of lithium, and 68% of silicon. It has also invested in mines in other countries to secure even more resources. This strategy has made China the leader in critical minerals and given it the power to control global supply chains. Sometimes, China even uses this power to limit exports of these materials, which affects countries like India that rely on imports. This makes India’s dependency on China a big problem.

How Much Does India Depend on China?

India depends heavily on China for critical minerals, which are essential for many technologies. Between 2019 and 2024, most of India’s critical minerals were imported from China. For example, over 82% of the lithium, crucial for making electric vehicle batteries, comes from China. Similarly, 85.6% of bismuth, used in medicines and chemicals, and 76% of silicon, needed for semiconductors and solar panels, are also imported from China.

Besides, 42.4% of the graphite India uses for electric car batteries is supplied by China. Beyond these, India is completely dependent on imports for minerals like cobalt and nickel, which are key to renewable energy systems and high-tech industries. This level of dependence is risky because if China stops exporting these minerals, India’s industries and technologies could face major setbacks. Reducing this reliance is crucial for India’s growth and future technological advancements.

Why Cannot India Produce Its Own Critical Minerals?

India has some critical mineral reserves, but there are many challenges to using them effectively. One major issue is that many of these minerals are buried deep underground. Mining them requires advanced technology and a lot of money, which makes it risky for companies to invest in these projects.

Another challenge is that India lacks the technology to process these minerals. For example, India recently discovered 5.9 million tonnes of lithium in Jammu and Kashmir. This is a huge find, but India does not yet have the technology to extract lithium from the ground efficiently. Even when raw materials are available, the lack of processing facilities forces India to import refined minerals from countries like China.

Moreover, India’s mining industry faces strict rules and delays in getting permits. This discourages private companies from investing in critical mineral projects. There are also environmental concerns, as mining can harm ecosystems. For instance, the lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir are located in an ecologically sensitive area that needs careful management to avoid environmental damage.

What Is India Doing to Reduce Its Dependency?

India understands that depending on China for critical minerals is a risky situation, so it is taking important steps to reduce this reliance. One major initiative is the creation of KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited), a government company focused on securing minerals from other countries like Australia and Chile. By working with multiple nations, India can avoid depending on a single country for its mineral needs, which reduces the chances of supply disruptions.

In addition to securing minerals abroad, India is also partnering with friendly nations like the United States and Australia. These partnerships involve joining global groups like the Minerals Security Partnership, which ensures that supply chains are reliable and sustainable. By collaborating with countries that have shared goals, India can gain access to advanced technologies and better resources.

Recycling is another smart strategy India is adopting. Instead of only mining new minerals, the country is exploring ways to extract valuable materials from old electronics, like phones and batteries. Recycling reduces the need for imports, helps conserve resources, and is also more eco-friendly, making it a win-win solution for the environment and the economy.

Finally, India is encouraging both innovation and private investment. The government is funding research to develop new mining and processing technologies while offering incentives, such as tax benefits, to private companies. This will help build a strong domestic industry for critical minerals. Together, these efforts show that India is taking bold steps to secure its future and reduce its dependency on China.

Challenges India Still Faces

Despite these efforts, India faces several challenges. Building a strong critical minerals industry takes time—sometimes more than 10 years. The technology needed to extract and process minerals like lithium is still not available in India. Moreover, partnering with other countries can be expensive and complicated, especially when the minerals have to be transported over long distances.

Environmental concerns also remain a big issue. Mining can harm the environment, and many mineral-rich areas in India are ecologically sensitive. For example, the lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir are in a region prone to earthquakes. Mining in such areas needs to be done carefully to avoid harming nature or putting people at risk.

Charting the Future

India’s journey to becoming self-reliant in critical minerals is challenging but very important. To succeed, India needs to focus on several key steps. First, it must invest in advanced technology to explore and mine its own resources, reducing dependency on imports. Second, building factories to process these raw minerals is essential to make them usable for industries like electronics and renewable energy.

Third, partnering with friendly countries that have large mineral reserves can provide a steady and reliable supply. Fourth, promoting recycling is a smart way to reuse materials from old electronics, which can help conserve resources and reduce waste. Finally, mining activities must be done responsibly to protect the environment, ensuring that economic growth does not harm nature. These steps will help India secure its future in a sustainable way.

Conclusion

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more Valuable Content – TheStudyias

Download the App to Subscribe to our Courses – Thestudyias