India Zambia Mineral Talks Stall Over Mining Rights
India and Zambia have paused talks on critical minerals due to a lack of mining rights assurances. New Delhi seeks cobalt and copper to support its industry.
Negotiations between India and Zambia regarding the exploration and mining of critical minerals have reportedly stalled. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the primary obstacle is a lack of formal assurances from the Zambian government concerning future mining rights for Indian entities.
Last year, the Indian government received an allocation of 9,000 square kilometers in Zambia to explore for cobalt and Copper. Cobalt is a vital component for the production of electric vehicle batteries and mobile phones, while copper remains essential for power generation, electronics, and construction. Although a team of Indian geologists has already returned with mineral samples, the three-year exploration program now faces an uncertain future.
