Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is a Joint Venture Company (JVC), not an act or scheme, incorporated on August 8, 2019, under the Companies Act, 2013. It operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. KABIL was created to solve the problem of India's heavy import dependence and meager domestic resource base for critical and strategic minerals. The company's primary objective is to ensure the nation's mineral security and support the "Make in India" initiative by securing a reliable supply of these essential minerals from overseas.
The mechanism of KABIL involves identifying, exploring, acquiring, and developing mineral assets in foreign countries. It is a joint venture of three Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs): National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) with a 40% equity stake, Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) with 30%, and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) with 30%. KABIL focuses on minerals like Lithium and Cobalt, which are vital for high-growth sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, and semiconductors.
KABIL connects directly to the National Critical Mineral Mission, which aims to strengthen domestic capabilities and achieve long-term self-reliance in strategic resources. Recent initiatives include securing exploration and exclusivity rights for five lithium brine blocks in Argentina's Catamarca province through an agreement with the state-owned company CAMYEN SE on January 15, 2024. The company's authorized capital is ₹500 crore, but a recent parliamentary panel has recommended strengthening its capital base, with ministry officials submitting that the authorized capital is being restructured to ₹1,000 crore.