Geopolitics and Mineral Resources

The pursuit of minerals and resources has historically driven European colonial expansion, impacting countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This quest continues to influence geopolitics, with a focus on minerals essential for the clean energy transition.

Green Colonialism

• The term "green colonialism" refers to the Global North exploiting the Global South's mineral reserves for energy transitions.
• Key minerals include lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earths, predominantly found in Latin America and Africa.
• The US's offer to aid Ukraine in exchange for its minerals exemplifies such geopolitical dynamics.

Global Approaches

• Western Powers: Prefer exploiting the Global South's reserves to minimize their own environmental impact.
• China: Actively exploits domestic reserves and secures agreements with mineral-rich countries, dominating sectors such as the Republic of Congo's cobalt mines.

India's Position

• India has been a laggard in mineral and energy geopolitics, showing sporadic interest and limited private sector involvement.
• While India has set ambitious clean energy targets and joined exploration groupings, its approach lacks methodical and long-term vision.
• The country’s processing capacities for lithium and rare earths are negligible, making its supply chain vulnerable to Chinese dominance.

Challenges and Recommendations

• India's lack of exploration and policy constraints hinder mineral discovery and exploitation.
• A dual approach of exploring domestic reserves and securing international agreements is needed to reduce energy dependency and costs.
• A sustained effort with a long-term vision is crucial for protecting India’s energy economics.

The article emphasizes the need for India to strengthen its mineral geopolitics to ensure energy security and economic stability.