India: CIL inks MoU with Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation for critical minerals exploration

• CIL secures vanadium, graphite blocks earlier in 2025
• CIL also in talks to acquire lithium assets in Australia

Coal India Limited (CIL) has signed a memorandum of association (MoU) with Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) to explore and develop critical mineral deposits in the state, according to a stock exchange filing by the public coal miner.

Earlier this year, Coal India became the preferred bidder for a vanadium block and a graphite block in Oranga-Revatipur, Chhattisgarh, in the fifth tranche of critical mineral auctions.

Since its foray into critical minerals in March 2024, Coal India has signed four MoUs:

• 6 January 2025: IREL Limited (Indian Rare Earth Limited)
• 28 January 2025: Curtin University, Australia (acquisition of critical mineral assets)
• 14 March 2025: Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre, Hyderabad, for R&D, demonstration, and commercial-level projects in critical minerals.
• 28 August 2025: MP State Mining Corporation (critical minerals project in the Singrauli coalfield).

In collaboration with Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) and other PSUs, Coal India has entered the second phase of negotiations for the acquisition of lithium assets in Australia, with a due diligence process for the submission of a Binding Offer currently in progress.

Apart from Australia, Coal India is scouting for critical mineral assets in Argentina and Chile, according to the 2024-25 annual report. “By focusing on lithium, graphite, and cobalt, we are spearheading India’s sustainable transition and securing vital materials for tomorrow’s energy landscape,” it stated.