---
title: "Critical Minerals Definition and Importance | Model Diplomat"
description: "Critical minerals are essential for economic security but face supply risks. Discover their significance in policy and industry, especially in India."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/critical-minerals"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Critical minerals are metals and non-metals deemed essential to economic and national security yet vulnerable to supply disruption owing to concentrated extraction or processing.
- How many critical minerals did India identify and when?
- What did the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 change for critical minerals?
- What is KABIL?
- Why is China central to the critical-minerals debate?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Critical minerals are metals and non-metals deemed essential to economic and national security yet vulnerable to supply disruption owing to concentrated extraction or processing.

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In February 2023 the Geological Survey of India reported 5.9 million tonnes of inferred lithium resources in Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir, India's first significant domestic find of a battery-grade critical mineral.

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