Lok Sabha Question No. 1510 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Exploration of Lithium Assets in Argentina
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Karti P Chidambaram, Shri Sukhdeo Bhagat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1510

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## Exploration of Lithium Assets in Argentina

## 1510.    Shri Karti P Chidambaram: Shri Sukhdeo Bhagat:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

(a) the details on Coal India's initiative to explore lithium blocks in Argentina, including the current status of the preliminary studies and the specific blocks under consideration;

(b) the details on the Government plan to ensure the exploration and potential extraction of lithium in Argentina aligned with India's environmental and sustainability goals, particularly in the context of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP); and

(c) whether the Government intend to diversify its supply chains to reduce reliance on single sources?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a):   As of now, Coal India Limited (CIL) has not signed any agreement in Argentina.

(b) & (c):  The Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) aims to accelerate the development of diverse  and  sustainable  critical  energy  minerals  supply  chains  through  working  with  host governments and industry to facilitate targeted financial and diplomatic support for strategic projects  along  the  value chain.  MSP  partners  include  Australia,  Canada,  Estonia,  Finland, France, Germany,  India,  Italy,  Japan,  Norway,  the  Republic  of  Korea,  Sweden,  the  United Kingdom,  the  United  States,  and  the  European  Union.  MSP  partners  strive  to  elevate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards across the global minerals sector. The MSP commits to support only those projects that meet high, internationally recognized ESG standards,  promote  local  value  addition,  and  uplift  communities,  in  recognition  that  all countries can benefit from the global clean energy transition. Projects supported by the MSP will adhere to rigorous ESG standards throughout the project lifetime.

A joint venture company namely Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) has been incorporated with the equity contribution from three Central Public Sector Enterprises namely, National Aluminium Company Ltd, Hindustan Copper Ltd and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd with the objective to identify, explore, acquire, develop, mine, process, procure and sell strategic  minerals  abroad  to  secure  resilient  supply  of  these  minerals  to  Indian  domestic industry. To achieve its objectives, KABIL is presently exploring opportunities for acquisition of overseas critical minerals assets like Lithium (Li) and Cobalt (Co) and taking initiatives in projects in Argentina, Australia and Chile.

In  Argentina,  KABIL  has  signed  an  Exploration  and  Development  contract  with  the State-owned company of Argentina and has obtained exclusivity rights for exploration and development of lithium blocks in the Catamarca Province of Argentina. KABIL has started activities for obtaining  statutory clearances and  other activities, required for starting exploration activities.

In  Australia,  KABIL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Critical Mineral Office (CMO), Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISER), Govt. of Australia for carrying out joint due diligence and further investment in Li & Co mining assets of Australia. It will also help KABIL in taking long term investment decisions and off take arrangement to ensure sustainable supply of lithium and cobalt to the Country. KABIL has also signed  an  NDA  agreement  with  a  State-owned  company  of  Chile,  ENAMI  to  take  up exploration of brine type lithium block in Chile. KABIL is continuously endeavoring to explore possibilities in other countries having rich potential of critical and strategic minerals, for long term investment.

CIL has also submitted its expression of interest against RFI floated by Govt. of Chile for the development of projects for the exploration, extraction and processing of lithium contained salts  or  other  types  of  deposits  in  Chile.  CIL  has  signed  non-disclosure  agreements  with companies  from  different  countries  for  checking  feasibility  of  potential  investment  in  the critical mineral projects.

*****