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NALCO is planning to move beyond aluminium and enter the rare earth and critical minerals space.
What’s the plan: the company is exploring bids for rare earth elements, magnesium, and chromite mines in India. At the same time, it is also looking to buy a stake in a lithium mine in Australia through KABIL, a PSU joint venture it is already part of.
If this works, NALCO moves from being a traditional metal producer to a supplier of high-value strategic minerals. That means relevance in fast-growing sectors like EV batteries, wind power, and defence manufacturing.
Why it’s important: the future is being shaped by EVs, renewables, defence tech, and electronics, all of which need rare earths and lithium. NALCO wants a piece of this next-generation materials game instead of staying limited to bauxite and alumina.
Rare earths are used in EV motors, wind turbines, smartphones, missiles, and fighter jets. Without them, modern tech literally doesn’t work.
Additionally, China controls nearly 80% of global rare earth supply today. This gives it massive leverage, especially during trade wars or geopolitical tensions. India imports most of its needs, which is risky for both the economy and national security.
