Coal India exploring lithium assets in Argentina with U.S. firm: report

Coal India explores lithium in Argentina with U.S. to secure battery material, part of India's minerals partnership with U.S.

State-run Coal India Ltd is exploring lithium blocks in Argentina along with a U.S. company to secure supplies of the battery material, an Indian source with direct knowledge said on June 18.

The efforts are part of India's membership under the U.S.-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), which New Delhi joined last year to ensure adequate supplies of minerals to meet zero-carbon goals.

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India has been exploring ways to secure supplies of lithium, a critical raw material used to make electric vehicle batteries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government last year listed 30 minerals, including lithium, nickel, titanium, vanadium and tungsten, as critical to drive the adoption of clean energy.

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India and the United States said on June 17 they were co-investing in a lithium resource project in South America and a rare earths deposit in Africa to diversify critical minerals supply chains.

India has been in talks with several countries, including the U.S., to collaborate in lithium processing and avoid relying on China, Reuters had reported. The rare