Talks between India and Zambia over access to critical mineral resources have stalled due to uncertainty around mining rights, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
India had secured an exploration allocation of around 9,000 square kilometres in Zambia last year, targeting deposits of cobalt and copper — minerals seen as essential for the global energy transition and industrial production.
However, negotiations have hit a roadblock as New Delhi has yet to receive firm assurances from Lusaka on whether it will be granted rights to mine the resources after exploration is completed.
Uncertainty over mining rights
The project was designed as a multi-phase effort, beginning with exploration and potentially followed by commercial mining involving private sector participation.
India had already dispatched a team of geologists to the southern African country, who returned with samples confirming the presence of cobalt and copper.
But without guarantees on mining rights, the next phase of the plan remains uncertain.
“It is not clear why Zambia is withholding assurances,” one source said, adding that efforts to revive the talks are ongoing but the outcome remains unclear.
Strategic push for resources
The discussions form part of India’s broader strategy to secure supplies of critical minerals needed for industries such as electric vehicles, renewable energy and electronics.
Cobalt is a key component in batteries, while copper is widely used in power generation, construction and manufacturing.
India has been engaging multiple resource-rich countries — including in Africa, Australia and Latin America — to reduce its dependence on imports and strengthen supply chains.
Rising import dependence
The urgency of securing overseas mineral assets has increased in recent years as domestic supply constraints have deepened.
India’s copper imports have risen sharply since the closure of the Sterlite Copper plant in 2018, which significantly reduced domestic refining capacity.
The country imported about 1.2 million metric tons of copper in the fiscal year ending March 2025, up from the previous year.
At the same time, India remains almost entirely dependent on imports for cobalt.
Shipments of cobalt oxide rose by around 20 percent in the 2024–2025 period, reflecting growing demand from battery manufacturing and other high-tech sectors.
Balancing investment and sovereignty
For Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, the talks highlight the balance between attracting foreign investment and retaining control over its natural resources.
Governments across the continent have become more cautious in granting mining rights, seeking to ensure greater local value addition and long-term economic benefits.
The lack of clarity in the India-Zambia negotiations underscores these sensitivities, particularly as competition intensifies among global powers for access to critical minerals.
Talks may resume
Despite the current impasse, discussions between India and Zambia are expected to continue.
New Delhi is keen to revive the talks, given the strategic importance of securing stable supplies of key minerals in an increasingly competitive global market.
Whether the two sides can bridge differences over mining rights will likely determine the future of the partnership — and India’s broader push to secure critical resources abroad.
