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India to undertake Lithium exploration in Argentina, explore tie-ups in Australia for refiningIndia, through PSU JV KABIL, is set to explore Lithium mines in Argentina and pursue refining tie-ups in Australia to secure critical mineral supply. NALCO’s CMD also highlighted green energy expansion, UK market opportunities, and resilience against US tariffs.By Abhimanyu Sharma   August 28, 2025, 11:46:29 PM IST (Published)2 Min ReadIn a bid to diversify the sourcing of critical minerals, India is expected to undertake Lithium exploration in Argentina and explore tie-ups in Australia for refining of Lithium.

CMD of NALCO (National Aluminium Company Limited), BP Singh, told CNBC-TV18 that Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is acquiring mines in Argentina and is looking at possible equity partnerships and investments in Australia in the existing operations of Lithium refining.

KABIL is a 40:30:30 joint venture between three PSUs under the Ministry of Mines: NALCO, Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), and the Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Limited (MECL). The JV aims to ensure supply-side assurance of critical and strategic minerals.

Of the 5 mines allotted to KABIL in Argentina, it is process of appointing a Project Management Consultant (PMC) for invasive exploration to ascertain the grade of Lithium, even as it is trying to diversify and acquire more mines of critical minerals.

For now, the JV has no plan to enter the rare earths space. Stating that most of the company's exports are to West Asia, he assured that 50% US tariffs on Indian exports won't impact as none of its produced alumina chemicals were going to the US.

However, he conceded that Aluminium prices have fallen due to the US tariffs and the associated price pressures.

NALCO is searching for opportunities in the UK market in the auto and green energy sectors, with the CMD pointing out the lack of big smelting capacities in the UK and the new opportunity due to the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Stressing the company's thrust on green energy in the power-intensive industry, he said that the company is planning to decrease its thermal power footprint to comply with the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

While most of the exports by NALCO in the chemicals sector aren't carbon-intensive, it has a 200 MW wind power capacity coming up along with 300 MW of additional green power, and it's also setting up long-term PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) to convert 30% of its power mix to green.

Also Read: NALCO: Aluminium demand to grow at 1.5 times of India's growth, focusing on value-added productsContinue ReadingCheck out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!TagsArgentinaIndia-AustralialithiumNALCO