India's lunar rover also detected aluminum, iron, calcium, chromium, titanium, manganese, oxygen and silicon on the lunar surface.

The blocks are for minerals including nickel, lithium, cobalt and platinum, along with rare earths.

Jakarta recently delayed the issuing of mining quotas and suspended operations at a key site of state miner Aneka Tambang.

China is expected to continue building its influence over key minerals such as lithium and cobalt across the developing world, according to S&P Global.

Mining the minerals needed globally for the energy transition is not keeping pace. 

Though metals mining and production is expected to grow 7.0% this year, private investment - largely in mining - is expected to drop 4.5% this year.

For years, the Loma Larga project has faced strong opposition from local indigenous groups and communities.