About KABIL

• Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is a Joint Venture company of three Indian public sector undertakings – National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), under the aegis of Ministry of Mines, Government of India. 
• The company was set up in 2019 to identify, explore, acquire, develop, mine, process and procure critical and strategic minerals to ensure supply side assurance and mineral security of the nation for meeting domestic requirements and give a big push to Make in India initiative.
• The Company is focusing on two prime critical and strategic mineral i.e. Lithium and Cobalt in the present context of the Indian economy and linking it with creation of supply chain ecosystem in the country. 

Why in News?

• • KABIL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) for Technical & Knowledge cooperation for Critical Minerals. 

• CSIR-IMMT was established in 1964 as Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi. 

• It was renamed in 2007 with a renewed research focus and growth strategy to be a leader in the areas of mineral & material resource engineering. 

• The institute has expertise in conducting basic research and technology oriented programs in a wide range of subjects to address the R&D problems of mining, mineral and metals industries and ensure their sustainable development. 

• Under the MoU, KABIL will leverage the technical expertise and services of CSIR-IMMT to undertake various projects, including the design and analysis of metallurgical test work-plans, development and review of process flowsheets, and the selection of process technologies for mineral processing, beneficiation, and metal extraction. 
• Furthermore, the agreement will also embark on joint research and facilitate the exchange of scientific information between the two entities.