NMDC Goes Global: Eyes Lithium, Cobalt, and Copper in Strategic Mining Push

Image Source: Vajiram And Ravi

India’s mining giant NMDC Ltd is accelerating its global mineral diversification strategy, actively scouting for critical mineral assets across Africa, Australia, and South America. The move aligns with India’s push for selfreliance in clean energy and advanced technologies, with NMDC targeting minerals like lithium, cobalt, copper, and nickel—essential for EVs, batteries, and renewable infrastructure.

Chairman Amitava Mukherjee confirmed that NMDC is evaluating 20–25 mining proposals in various stages, from desktop studies to technical due diligence. The company is particularly active in three to four African nations, while its Australian subsidiary, Legacy Iron Ore, is already engaged in gold mining and lithium exploration at Mt Celia and other tenements.

Key Highlights:

NMDC is conducting advanced negotiations for lithium blocks in Australia and Africa, with promising preliminary findings.
The company plans to establish NMDC Global, a wholly owned international subsidiary at GIFT City, Gujarat, to manage overseas investments.
In South America, NMDC is exploring strategic mineral blocks, with earlystage assessments underway.
The miner is also expanding into domestic coal and diamond mining, marking a shift from its traditional iron ore focus.
NMDC aims to contribute 5–10% of its revenue from international operations in the coming years.

This global push positions NMDC as a key player in securing India’s mineral future, blending domestic ambition with international reach.

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine, Times of India, Business Standard