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Abstract
This paper assesses the level of criticality of 23 select minerals for India’s manufacturing sector. Various indicators quantify the criticality along the dimensions of economic importance and supply risk. Lithium, strontium, and niobium have relatively high economic importance, and heavy rare earth elements, niobium, and silicon have relatively high supply risks. This paper also projects India’s mineral needs for green technologies, including renewable electricity generation and electric vehicle manufacturing, in line with the country’s various climate change mitigation objectives over the next two decades. While India has a large mineral geological potential, many of these minerals are not readily available domestically. Hence, there will be a need for further exploration, acquiring foreign mineral assets, and strengthening supply chains.