India has reopened talks with Zambia over investment in critical minerals, including copper, as New Delhi intensifies its search for reliable supplies of strategic raw materials to support its rapidly growing economy. The renewed discussions were confirmed by two people familiar with the negotiations and reported by Reuters on September 1.
Officials from India’s Ministry of Mines held preliminary discussions with their Zambian counterparts on August 26. The latest talks signal a renewed push for closer cooperation between India and Zambia after earlier negotiations over mining rights became stalled.
Zambia’s Copper Resources Attract India.
Zambia is one of Africa’s major copper producers and is increasingly attracting international interest as demand for copper and other critical minerals continues to rise. Copper is essential for electricity networks, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, data centres and other technologies driving the global energy transition.
India, the world’s second-largest buyer of refined copper, is particularly interested in securing long-term supplies. The country’s copper imports have increased significantly since the closure of the Sterlite Copper smelter in 2018, increasing the importance of overseas mining investments.
The Indian government estimates that the country could need to import between 91% and 97% of its copper concentrate requirements by 2047, making partnerships with mineral-rich African countries increasingly important to India’s industrial strategy.
Previous Mining Dispute Remains Unresolved.
The renewed India-Zambia critical minerals talks come after negotiations previously stalled over mining rights relating to an area covering approximately 9,000 square kilometres that had been awarded to India.
However, the disputed project was reportedly not discussed during the latest preliminary talks. This suggests that both sides may be attempting to reopen broader cooperation without immediately returning to the issue that contributed to the earlier breakdown.
Zambia’s Ministry of Mines has not confirmed details of the latest discussions, while India’s Ministry of Mines did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
India Looks Across Africa for Critical Minerals.
The renewed Zambia critical minerals investment talks form part of a much wider Indian strategy to secure mineral resources abroad. State-owned Khanij Bidesh India Limited, the country’s main vehicle for overseas mineral acquisition, is evaluating opportunities in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Indonesia and is also discussing a project in Malawi.
India has also been engaging several African governments over access to critical mineral deposits, with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia considered particularly important because of their copper and cobalt resources.
For Zambia, attracting Indian investment could provide additional capital, technology and access to a major global market. It could also support the country’s ambition to capture more value from its mineral resources rather than relying primarily on the export of raw materials.
Critical Minerals Race Intensifies.
The India-Zambia critical minerals partnership comes as major economies compete for secure supplies of minerals needed for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure.
For Zambia, the challenge will be ensuring that new investment generates greater domestic economic value through processing, jobs, infrastructure and technology transfer. For India, securing reliable copper and other critical minerals is becoming increasingly important as its industrial and technology sectors expand.
The reopening of India-Zambia critical minerals talks highlights Zambia’s growing strategic importance in the global race for copper and other essential minerals. If negotiations develop into concrete investment agreements, the partnership could strengthen Zambia’s mining sector while giving India greater access to the raw materials it needs for its rapidly expanding economy.
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