Minerals such as lithium, nickel, copper, aluminium and graphite are the unseen backbone of modern technology. Before an electric car hits the road or a data centre powers AI, these metals have already travelled across continents.
The International Energy Agency says an electric vehicle needs almost six times the mineral inputs of a petrol car, while offshore wind farms require nine times the minerals of a conventional plant. These figures show how crucial mineral security is for energy and economic stability.
India wants to become a global manufacturing hub. It is investing heavily in renewable energy, semiconductors, electronics, defence and digital infrastructure. All these sectors depend on reliable access to critical minerals.
India already has a strong start. The country has a vast geological base, decades of mining experience and one of the fastest‑growing markets in the world. The challenge is to add value beyond simply extracting raw materials.
The real economic benefit comes from exploration, processing, refining and advanced manufacturing. By turning raw ore into finished products inside India, the country can create jobs, drive technology and capture more value.
An integrated resource ecosystem would link exploration, mining, processing and manufacturing. Each stage close to home strengthens resilience, creates skilled employment and fuels innovation.
Mining technology is evolving. More sophisticated, often underground, mining reduces surface disruption. Companies are shifting from being just suppliers of ore to becoming partners in building industrial capability.
Every refinery and processing plant, and every downstream manufacturing investment, boosts India’s competitiveness. These steps also generate skilled jobs and long‑term economic returns.
Exploration must become faster and technology‑led. Processing needs continuous innovation and should rely increasingly on renewable and clean energy.
Recycling is also essential. Recovering valuable materials from existing products reduces pressure on natural resources and adds another layer of resilience.
Few countries combine India’s geological potential, industrial ambition and market scale. This combination gives India an opportunity and a responsibility to build wisely.
With the right investments, technology and partnerships, India can create supply chains that are both secure and globally competitive.
The next decade of Indian growth will be powered by clean energy, advanced manufacturing and digital innovation, all of which depend on a robust minerals and metals sector. Building a full value chain from exploration to processing will be a cornerstone of India’s prosperous and secure future.
— Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non‑Executive Director, Vedanta Limited.