What Is the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative?

Launched in July 2025, this initiative aims to:

1. Secure supply chains for critical minerals
   
2. Diversify sources and reduce dependence on China
   
3. Promote eco-friendly mining, recycling of e-waste
   
4. Encourage private sector investment
   
5. Boost technology transfer and research
   

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🇨🇳 Why Is China at the Center of This Debate?

China’s dominance:

• Controls 90%+ of rare earth refining
  
• Uses export restrictions as a geopolitical weapon
  
• Imposes bureaucratic hurdles on foreign companies
  

Examples:

• Recently restricted exports of:
  
  • Gallium and germanium (semiconductors)
    
  • Rare earth magnets (used in EVs, wind turbines)
    
• India’s EV industry is already suffering due to denied access
  

China’s strategy:

• Forces companies to buy entire motor assemblies, not just magnets
  
• Demands end-use certificates to prevent military use
  

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🔗 How Will the Quad Counter This?

Key strategies:

1. Build alternative supply chains across Quad countries
   
2. Promote exploration and mining in mineral-rich nations (Africa, Latin America)
   
3. Boost domestic production and e-waste recycling
   
4. Form public-private partnerships to attract investments
   
5. Share processing technologies and R&D efforts
   

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🇮🇳 India’s Role and Challenges

Impact:

• India’s growing EV and electronics industries depend on rare earths
  
• No current refining capability for high-purity rare earths
  

Government action:

• India launched National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM):
  
  • ₹16,300 crore budget
    
  • Focus on domestic mining, overseas investments, R&D
    
• Partnering with:
  
  • US under TRUST Initiative
    
  • Japan through Quad & G7
    

India joined the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) in 2023