KABIL also in process of sourcing lithium from Argentina and Chile
Commercial Advisor is expected to be engaged by Jan 2023 for prospecting Lithium and Cobalt in Australia by Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) and Critical Mineral Office (CMO), Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISER), said the Mines Ministry in Delhi on 26 Dec 2022.
KABIL & CMO have finalized the procurement methodology for engaging Commercial Advisory Services for identifying Lithium and Cobalt projects and further due diligence of projects in Australia.
KABIL, a JV company of NALCO, HCL and MECL formed in 2019, has signed an MOU with detailed collaborative framework on 10 March 2022 with CMO.
It is to carry out joint due diligence and further joint investment in Li & Co mineral assets of Australia.
Under the agreed actions, Critical Mineral Market Scan was conducted by Australia in July 2022, based on which identification of mineral assets will be done for further engagement.
KABIL has expressed interest to partner with CAMYEN in December 2022 for prospecting two areas identified with the objective of establishment of projects for extraction of lithium in due course of time.
Further, in Dec 2022, KABIL has expressed interest to partnering with CAMYEN for prospecting two lithium mining areas identified in Argentina.
In Oct 2022, CAMYEN of Argentina through Indian Embassy at Buenos Aires, shared information regarding two prospective Lithium projects in la Aguada and El Indio in Catamarca.
A team of geologists visited Argentina from 20 Nov 2022 for a period of two weeks for evaluating and assessing lithium exploration projects proposed by CAMYEN in Catamarca province.
KABIL has also signed three MoUs with JEMSE, CAMYEN and YPF (Govt. Companies of Argentina) in July–Sep 2020 to explore sourcing of lithium and other mineral assets in Argentina.
Also, KABIL is pursuing lithium mining projects in Chile, the Ministry said in a year-end review of the mining sector.
As advised by Ambassador of India in Chile, KABIL has suggested certain modifications to the draft Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and shared it with ENAMI for their acceptance for jointly exploiting lithium. fiinews.com
