Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), the agency responsible for critical mineral exploration and mining, received approval to conduct non-invasive exploration in three of the five newly acquired lithium blocks in Argentina.
VL Kantha Rao, secretary of the ministry of mines and coal, informed that KABIL must submit a comprehensive report before commencing exploration activities in these blocks. Non-invasive exploration typically employs remote sensing and other advanced techniques to identify and assess mineralized systems while minimizing environmental impact.
The company has been advised to complete exploration and initiate production within a two-year timeframe. In January, KABIL entered into a ₹200 crore agreement to explore and potentially commercialize five lithium blocks in Argentina.
The company signed a memorandum of understanding with CAMYEN (Catamaca Minera y Energética Sociedad del Estado) to acquire the lithium brine blocks: Cortadera-I, Cortadera-VII, Cortadera-VIII, Cateo-2022-01810132, and Cortadera-VI. The blocks encompass approximately 15,703 hectares in Argentina’s Catamarca region.
The MoU stipulates that KABIL has a five-year window to begin exploration activities across the blocks. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, KABIL has already established a branch office in Argentina and has engaged a local contractor to facilitate exploration efforts.
