RismadarVoice Reporters, September 1, 2026
India has resumed discussions with Zambia over possible investments in copper and other critical minerals as New Delhi seeks overseas sources of raw materials to support its growing economy, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Officials from India’s Ministry of Mines held preliminary talks with Zambian officials on August 26, with discussions focused on potential opportunities in the mineral sector, two sources said.
The talks had previously stalled over concerns regarding mining rights assurances for a 9,000-square-kilometre area awarded to India last year. However, sources said the latest discussions did not include the stalled project.
India’s state-owned Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), which is responsible for securing critical mineral supplies abroad, is also assessing investment opportunities in countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Indonesia, while discussions continue on a possible project in Malawi.
India has been engaging with several African countries to secure critical mineral assets through government-to-government agreements, as demand rises for resources such as copper and cobalt.
The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries said Africa, particularly Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, could play an important role in meeting India’s future mineral requirements.
Indian mining officials have encouraged companies to focus on brownfield projects, near-production assets and long-term supply agreements to strengthen access to critical minerals.
India is currently the world’s second-largest buyer of refined copper. The country’s copper imports have increased since the closure of Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper smelter in 2018, with government projections indicating that India may need to import between 91% and 97% of its copper concentrates by 2047.
