Khanij Bidesh India Limited
Also called: KABIL · Topic: Mineral Resources of India: Distribution and Conservation · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is a government company set up in 2019. It is a joint venture, which means three companies own it together. The three are NALCO, Hindustan Copper and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd (MECL). Its job is to buy critical-mineral assets in other countries, such as mines or mining rights. India imports most of its critical minerals, like lithium and cobalt, and has few reserves at home. KABIL helps India get a steady supply for EV batteries, solar power and defence.
Example
In January 2024 KABIL signed a deal for five lithium blocks in Catamarca province, Argentina. The blocks are part of the "lithium triangle" of South America, a region very rich in lithium.
Don't confuse with
- Mineral Security Partnership: this is a US-led group of countries that India joined. KABIL is an Indian company that buys mines abroad itself.
- National Critical Mineral Mission: this is a broad government programme approved in 2025. It covers exploration, recycling, a stockpile and buying assets abroad. KABIL is one company working inside this larger goal.
Related concepts
- Critical minerals
- Reasi lithium deposit
- National Critical Mineral Mission
- Mineral Security Partnership