KABIL is an acronym for Khanij Bidesh India Limited, which is a specialized Joint Venture Company (JVC) and not an Act or a scheme. It was incorporated on August 8, 2019, under the Companies Act 2013, operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. The company was created to solve the problem of India's meager domestic resource base for critical and strategic minerals. Its core objective is to ensure the nation's mineral security and a consistent supply of these vital resources to the Indian domestic market, supporting the "Make in India" initiative.
KABIL functions as a joint venture between three Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs): National Aluminium Company Ltd. (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Ltd. (HCL), and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Limited (MECL), with a shareholding ratio of 40:30:30. Its mechanism involves identifying, exploring, acquiring, developing, mining, and processing strategic mineral assets outside India. The company primarily focuses on minerals like Lithium and Cobalt, which are essential for high-tech sectors, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems.
KABIL's work connects directly to India's broader strategic goals, including the National Critical Minerals Mission. It engages in international collaborations, such as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), and has active projects in countries like Argentina, Australia, and Chile. A recent development in June 2026 saw KABIL secure five brine lithium blocks in Argentina's Catamarca province and receive environmental clearance for deep exploration. This acquisition marks India's first government-led lithium exploration project abroad.