India’s Dependence on China for Critical Minerals

Sub : Geo

Sec: Eco geo

Why in News

India’s increasing dependence on China for critical minerals has come under scrutiny due to its implications for economic development and national security. A recent report by the Ministry of Mines (2023) identified 30 critical minerals essential for India’s progress, highlighting a heavy reliance on imports, particularly from China.

India’s Dependency on China:

India’s import data (2019–2024) reveals acute vulnerability in six critical minerals:
- Bismuth, Lithium, Silicon, Titanium, Tellurium and Graphite.
Bismuth: China dominates global bismuth production. India has negligible bismuth production and relies heavily on imports.

Used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, alloys, and as a lead substitute in free-machining steels.

Lithium: Australia leads in lithium production, followed by Chile and China. India currently has no commercial lithium production but has identified reserves in Jammu and Kashmir.

Essential for rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles, smartphones, and laptops; also used in glass and ceramics.

Silicon: China is the top producer of silicon, particularly in the form of silicon metal. India produces silicon, mainly for the steel industry, but lacks significant production of high-purity silicon for electronics.

Crucial for semiconductors, solar panels, and as an alloying agent in aluminium production.

Titanium: China leads in titanium (ilmenite) production, followed by Australia and Canada. India is among the top producers of ilmenite, a primary source of titanium.

Used in aerospace for aircraft components, medical implants, and as pigments in paints (titanium dioxide).

Tellurium: China is the leading producer of tellurium. India does not have significant tellurium production.

Utilized in solar panels (cadmium telluride), thermoelectric devices, and as an alloying additive to improve machinability.

Graphite: China dominates both natural and synthetic graphite production. India is among the top producers of natural graphite.

Essential for batteries (especially in electric vehicles), lubricants, refractory materials, and as a moderator in nuclear reactors.

Copper: Chile is the world’s leading copper producer. India has modest copper production and relies on imports to meet demand.

Widely used in electrical wiring, electronics, construction, and plumbing.

Lead: China leads in lead production. India is a significant producer of lead, with substantial reserves and production capacity.

Used in lead-acid batteries, radiation shielding, and as an additive in some types of glass and paint.

Zinc: China is the top producer of zinc. India ranks among the top zinc-producing countries.

Primarily used for galvanizing steel to prevent rusting; also, in alloys such as brass and in die-casting.

Nickel: Indonesia has emerged as the leading producer of nickel. India has limited nickel production and depends on imports.

Key component in stainless steel, batteries for electric vehicles, and various alloys.

Cobalt: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the largest producer of cobalt. India does not produce cobalt domestically and relies entirely on imports.

Used in batteries, especially for electric vehicles, superalloys for jet engines, and as a catalyst in chemical reactions.

Gallium: China is the leading producer of gallium. India does not have significant gallium production.

Used in semiconductors, LEDs, solar panels, and as an alloying agent in thermometers.

Germanium: China dominates germanium production. India does not produce germanium.

Utilized in Fiber-optic systems, infrared optics, solar cell applications, and as a polymerization catalyst.

Crystalline Graphite: China is the predominant producer of crystalline graphite. India produces graphite but lacks significant high-purity crystalline graphite production.

Used in batteries, especially for electric vehicles, lubricants, and high-temperature applications.

India’s Ministry of Mines – 30 Critical Minerals:

India’s Ministry of Mines has identified the following 30 critical minerals essential for the country’s economic development and national security:
Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cadmium, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, Platinum Group Elements (PGE), Phosphorus, Potash, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Rhenium, Selenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium.

Overseas Partnerships:

KABIL Initiative: A joint venture by three state-owned firms to secure mineral assets abroad.
International Alliances: India has joined:
- The Minerals Security Partnership
- The Critical Raw Materials Club