Critical Minerals: Importance for Energy Transition and National Security
Introduction
Critical minerals are minerals that are economically or strategically important but face significant risks of supply disruption. Their criticality depends on factors such as industrial demand, import dependence, geopolitical concentration, and the availability of substitutes.
They are essential to modern electronics, renewable energy, electric mobility, defence, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing.
Important examples
Mineral | Major applications |
|---|---|
Lithium | Batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage |
Cobalt | Batteries and specialised industrial applications |
Nickel | Batteries and stainless steel |
Graphite | Battery anodes and industrial uses |
Rare earth elements | Magnets, electronics, wind turbines, and defence |
Gallium | Semiconductors and optoelectronics |
Germanium | Fibre optics, infrared optics, and electronics |
Niobium | Specialised steel alloys and advanced materials |
Tungsten | Hard materials, cutting tools, and industrial applications |
Tantalum | Electronic capacitors and specialised equipment |
Why are critical minerals important?
1. Clean energy transition
Lithium, graphite, nickel, and other minerals are used in batteries and energy-storage technologies. Rare earth elements are important in some high-performance permanent magnets.
2. Strategic autonomy
Dependence on a small number of suppliers can expose countries to export restrictions, geopolitical tensions, and price volatility.
3. Defence and electronics
Critical minerals are used in radar systems, semiconductors, communication systems, aerospace equipment, and specialised alloys.
4. Recycling and circular economy
Recycling batteries, electronic waste, and industrial products can help recover valuable minerals and reduce pressure on primary mining.
India's approach
India has identified a set of critical minerals to support strategic planning, exploration, domestic production, and supply-chain resilience. The National Critical Mineral Mission was approved in 2025 to strengthen domestic capabilities and improve access to critical mineral resources.
UPSC Prelims Key Pointers
Criticality is not a permanent property of a mineral; it can change with technology, demand, and supply conditions.
Rare earth elements are a group of 17 elements, including the lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium.
Rare earth elements are not necessarily geologically rare; economically viable deposits and processing capacity are important constraints.
Lithium is important for many rechargeable batteries.
Recycling and material substitution can reduce supply risks.
Critical minerals are distinct from fossil fuels, although both can have strategic economic importance.
India's critical mineral strategy is relevant to electric mobility, renewable energy, electronics, and national security.
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