In early June, the Chinese government quietly approved the creation of the Space Computing Industry Innovation Center, a major initiative designed to unite rocket and satellite manufacturers, semiconductor companies, and AI technology firms in building a space-based computing network. According to Beijing officials, the project aims to integrate the entire space-computing supply chain while accelerating the development of the satellite Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem.
The announcement largely flew under the radar, but industry observers quickly noted its significance. Research firm SemiAnalysis pointed out on X that China unveiled the initiative roughly a week before Elon Musk revealed plans for his AI1 satellite, a spacecraft intended to run AI workloads directly in orbit.
The center is scheduled to officially launch later this month and will focus on six key areas of research: developing highly reliable, heat-resistant computing chips for space environments; building high-performance interconnected computing payloads; establishing standardized satellite computing platforms; training large AI models under severe power constraints; integrating space- and ground-based cloud networking systems; and creating service-oriented, tokenized business models for orbital computing resources.
Together, these efforts are aimed at creating an AI-powered data center in orbit—one that operates independently of terrestrial power grids and sidesteps many of the energy, land, and infrastructure constraints facing traditional data centers on Earth.
While Musk’s AI1 satellite has dominated headlines this week, China’s move suggests that the race toward space-based AI infrastructure is becoming increasingly competitive. However, it is worth noting that Musk’s ambitions in this area are not new. He has discussed the concept of orbital computing since late 2025 and, in February 2026, SpaceX filed plans with the FCC for a one-million-satellite Orbital Data Center System. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos has entered the field as well, with Project Sunrise—a proposed constellation of 51,600 satellites operating in sun-synchronous orbit.
What distinguishes China’s approach is its emphasis on collaboration. Rather than relying on a single corporate entity, Beijing is coordinating multiple companies, research institutions, and industrial partners to jointly develop the underlying technologies required for space-based AI computing. By contrast, SpaceX and Blue Origin appear to be pursuing largely independent strategies. SpaceX, in particular, seems focused on vertical integration, supported by projects such as its massive Gigasat manufacturing facility and Musk’s ambitious TeraFab initiative.
Whether a centralized, state-coordinated ecosystem will outperform the resource-intensive efforts of a handful of private companies remains an open question. A collaborative model could distribute risk and make resulting technologies broadly accessible across Chinese industry, while private-sector approaches may benefit from faster execution and tighter integration.
What is clear, however, is that China is treating orbital computing infrastructure as a strategic priority. For a country that already possesses abundant electricity generation capacity and significant room for expanding terrestrial data centers, its willingness to invest heavily in space-based computing highlights the growing belief that the next frontier of AI infrastructure may extend far beyond Earth’s surface.
The United States has taken a significant step toward securing access to one of Africa’s most valuable untapped mineral resources through a preliminary agreement with Kenya involving the Mrima Hill rare earth and niobium deposit, estimated to be worth $62.4 billion (Sh9.7 trillion).
The proposed partnership represents a major geopolitical and economic development, as Washington strengthens its position in the global competition for critical minerals—an arena where China has long maintained a dominant influence.
A New Model for Resource Development
Announced by Kenyan President William Ruto during the G7 Summit, the agreement is centered on the mineral-rich Mrima Hill site in Kwale County. Unlike traditional extractive arrangements that focus on exporting raw materials, the deal is expected to require that strategic minerals be processed within Kenya before entering global markets.
This approach aligns with Kenya’s broader objective of increasing local value addition, creating jobs, and capturing a greater share of the economic benefits generated by its natural resources.
According to President Ruto, discussions with the United States are already at an advanced stage and could soon result in a formal agreement.
“We have agreed that the minerals will be processed in Kenya,” Ruto stated, emphasizing a shared commitment to local industrial development rather than the export of unprocessed resources.
Critical Minerals at the Center of Global Competition
The agreement comes amid an intensifying global race for access to critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, electronics, and defense systems.
Rare earth elements and niobium are key components in electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, semiconductors, and high-performance industrial applications. As demand continues to grow, major powers are increasingly seeking secure and diversified supply chains.
China currently dominates much of the world’s mineral processing and refining capacity, particularly for rare earth elements, giving Beijing substantial influence over global supply chains. In response, the United States has been actively pursuing strategic partnerships across Africa and other resource-rich regions to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled processing networks.
Africa’s Growing Leverage
Kenya’s negotiations reflect a broader trend across Africa, where governments are seeking greater control over how their resources are developed and monetized. Rather than exporting raw materials, many countries are now prioritizing domestic processing, industrialization, and local value retention.
Beyond Kenya, the United States has pursued similar partnerships in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, where access to cobalt and copper plays a crucial role in global battery production. Meanwhile, Russia has expanded its footprint in several African nations through mining and resource agreements linked to broader security and geopolitical interests.
A Shift in the Global Minerals Landscape
The proposed Kenya-US agreement signals more than just a commercial partnership. It highlights a changing global minerals landscape in which African nations are gaining greater bargaining power and demanding more equitable terms for resource development.
For Washington, securing access to rare earth supplies is an important step toward strengthening supply chain resilience and reducing reliance on China. For Kenya, the deal offers an opportunity to accelerate industrial growth while ensuring that more value from its natural resources remains within the country.
As competition for critical minerals intensifies, the Mrima Hill project could become a defining example of how Africa’s resource wealth is reshaping international economic and geopolitical relationships.
# The G7 Just Pledged to Break China’s Rare Earth Grip — There’s a Lot of Work to Do
For decades, the world’s advanced economies have enjoyed the benefits of globalization while quietly allowing a critical vulnerability to emerge: dependence on China for rare earth minerals and permanent magnets.
Now, the Group of Seven (G7) nations are finally attempting to confront that reality. At their recent summit in Evian, France, G7 leaders agreed on an ambitious goal: by 2030, no single country should account for more than 60% of their imports of rare earth elements and permanent magnets. Beyond that, they hope to reduce reliance further, targeting a 50% threshold as soon as possible.
The message is clear. The world’s leading democracies have concluded that China’s dominance over critical minerals has become both an economic and national security risk.
The challenge? Breaking that dependence may take far longer than the politicians would like.
## Why Rare Earths Matter
Rare earths are a group of 17 metallic elements that play an essential role in modern technology. On their own, these materials may seem obscure. But when processed into permanent magnets—particularly neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets—they become indispensable.
These magnets are found in:
* Electric vehicles
* Wind turbines
* Smartphones
* Industrial robotics
* Military drones
* Precision-guided missiles
* Radar systems
* Advanced defense technologies
Their unique properties allow manufacturers to build lighter, stronger, and more energy-efficient motors and electronic systems. In other words, rare earth magnets have become one of the foundational technologies of the 21st century.
## China’s Dominance Is Overwhelming
China’s position in this market is difficult to overstate. The country currently accounts for roughly:
* 70% of global rare earth production
* Around 70% of critical mineral refining capacity
* Approximately 95% of rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing
This dominance wasn’t built overnight. For years, China invested heavily in mining, refining, processing expertise, and manufacturing infrastructure while many Western nations outsourced these activities due to environmental concerns, lower costs, and regulatory hurdles. The result is a supply chain where much of the world depends on China not merely for raw materials but for the highly specialized processing required to make those materials usable.That processing stage has become the true strategic bottleneck.
## Why the G7 Is Acting Now
The urgency stems from recent geopolitical tensions.
Over the past several years, Beijing has increasingly used export controls on critical minerals as a policy tool. Since 2020, China has imposed multiple restrictions on key materials used in defense and clean energy technologies.
Last year, China introduced sweeping export controls on rare earths and other critical minerals, raising fears that manufacturing lines across North America, Europe, and Asia could face severe disruptions.
The issue became even more visible during escalating trade disputes with the United States and amid growing tensions surrounding Taiwan.
Officials across the G7 have come to a sobering realization:
If China chose to significantly restrict exports, major sectors of the global economy could be affected almost immediately. The International Energy Agency has warned that trillions of dollars of economic activity outside China could be exposed to supply disruptions if export controls were fully implemented.
For military planners, the concern is even more immediate. Rare earth magnets are embedded in everything from fighter aircraft and missile guidance systems to surveillance drones. Dependence on a geopolitical rival for these materials creates a strategic vulnerability few governments are comfortable accepting.
## Lessons From Japan
The G7 is not the first group to recognize this problem. Japan learned the lesson more than a decade ago. In 2010, following a maritime dispute with China, Japanese companies suddenly found themselves facing restrictions on rare earth exports. Tokyo responded with a long-term strategy to diversify suppliers, invest in overseas mining projects, and build stockpiles. Yet even after more than 15 years of effort, Japan still sources roughly 75% of its rare earth imports from China.
That reality offers a sobering perspective on the G7’s latest pledge.
Diversification is possible. Rapid diversification is much harder.
## Building a Western Supply Chain
Despite the challenges, efforts are underway to create alternative supply chains. In the United States, several companies are positioning themselves as key players in what policymakers increasingly call a “mine-to-magnet” strategy.
### MP Materials
MP Materials operates Mountain Pass in California, the only commercial-scale rare earth mine in the United States.
The company has also expanded processing and magnet manufacturing capabilities in Texas and recently received significant support from the U.S. Department of Defense to strengthen domestic separation and refining capacity.
Its goal is straightforward: reduce reliance on Chinese processing and create a fully integrated American supply chain.
### USA Rare Earth
Another emerging player is USA Rare Earth. The company is developing mining, processing, and magnet manufacturing operations designed to produce rare earth permanent magnets domestically. Backed by federal incentives through the CHIPS and Science Act, the company aims to establish large-scale production capabilities and become a cornerstone of a Western rare earth ecosystem. These efforts represent important progress. But they are only the beginning.
## The Hard Part: Heavy Rare Earths
One major complication is that not all rare earths are equal. Many Western projects focus primarily on so-called “light” rare earth elements.
China, however, remains especially dominant in the production and processing of “heavy” rare earths—materials that are crucial for many advanced defense and high-performance industrial applications. Without secure access to these heavier elements, building a truly independent magnet supply chain remains difficult. Industry experts caution that current Western investments, while encouraging, do not yet solve this deeper problem.
## Obstacles Ahead
The G7’s target may be politically appealing, but achieving it will require overcoming significant obstacles.
### Capital Requirements
Mining and refining projects require billions of dollars in investment before they produce meaningful output.
### Regulatory Challenges
Permitting new mines can take years, particularly in North America and Europe.
### Environmental Concerns
Rare earth extraction and refining are energy-intensive and can create substantial environmental impacts if not carefully managed.
### Community Opposition
Many proposed mining projects face local resistance regardless of their strategic importance.
### Technical Expertise
China’s advantage isn’t just geological.
It also possesses decades of accumulated processing knowledge, engineering expertise, and industrial capacity that cannot be replicated overnight.
## More Than Mining
Recognizing these realities, G7 leaders are discussing additional measures beyond simply opening new mines.
These include:
* Expanding recycling of rare earth materials
* Developing strategic stockpiles
* Supporting refining and processing facilities
* Creating industrial procurement quotas
* Coordinating investments across allied nations
Defense manufacturing may become a particular focus, with governments potentially requiring portions of critical materials to come from non-Chinese sources. Such policies could help create the guaranteed demand necessary for new projects to attract financing.
## The Bottom Line
The G7’s commitment marks one of the strongest collective efforts yet to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals. The goal is ambitious, and perhaps necessarily so. Without clear targets, governments and industries often fail to act. But ambition alone will not be enough.
China’s dominance in rare earths was built over decades through sustained investment, industrial policy, and strategic planning. Reversing that dominance will require the same level of long-term commitment from the United States, Europe, Japan, and their allies.
The good news is that the process has begun. The difficult reality is that diversification is not a five-year project—it may be a generation-long effort.
The G7 has taken an important first step.
Now comes the hard part: turning a political pledge into a functioning supply chain.
As the world accelerates toward electrification and clean energy, rare earth elements (REEs) have become some of the most strategically important minerals on the planet. They are essential components in electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, computers, advanced defense systems, and countless other technologies that power modern life.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan suggests that North America may have the resources needed to build a more self-reliant rare earth supply chain—provided the right economic and policy conditions are in place.
Growing Demand for Critical Minerals
Global demand for rare earth elements is expected to rise significantly over the coming decades. Researchers estimate that worldwide demand will increase from approximately 91 kilotons in 2024 to 123 kilotons by 2030 and 150 kilotons by 2040.
Today, however, the global rare earth industry remains heavily concentrated. China accounts for roughly 70% of global rare earth mining, while the United States contributes only about 11%. This imbalance has raised concerns about supply chain security, economic competitiveness, and national defense readiness.
Assessing North America’s Resource Potential
The University of Michigan team evaluated 28 rare earth deposits across North America, analyzing factors such as ore tonnage, mineral grade, and total rare earth oxide content. Their findings indicate that North America possesses enough rare earth resources to satisfy U.S. demand for decades.
The challenge is not the availability of resources, but whether those resources can be extracted economically.
Many North American deposits are lower in quality than leading operations in China and Australia. In addition, some deposits contain elements such as thorium, a naturally occurring radioactive material that can increase mining and disposal costs.
Despite these challenges, researchers believe several deposits could support a competitive domestic supply chain, particularly if governments provide targeted support during the industry’s development phase.
Light vs. Heavy Rare Earth Elements
Rare earth elements are typically divided into two categories: light rare earths and heavy rare earths.
Light rare earth elements are more abundant and are widely used in magnets, batteries, electronics, and renewable energy technologies. Heavy rare earth elements are less common but highly valuable because they improve the performance and heat resistance of high-strength magnets.
The study found a geographic advantage across North America:
The United States holds substantial deposits of light rare earth elements.
Canada possesses many of the region’s most significant heavy rare earth deposits.
This distribution suggests that a coordinated North American strategy could strengthen supply security while leveraging the strengths of both countries.
Why Domestic Mining Matters
Rare earth elements are classified as critical minerals because they support industries vital to economic growth, clean energy, and national security. Supply disruptions can have far-reaching consequences, affecting everything from electric vehicle manufacturing to advanced military technologies.
Historically, the United States mined rare earths at California’s Mountain Pass mine, but much of the industry’s processing capacity eventually shifted overseas. Today, experts argue that rebuilding domestic mining alone is not enough. North America must also develop processing, refining, and manufacturing capabilities to create a fully integrated supply chain.
The Path Forward
The study concludes that North America has the geological resources needed to establish a more resilient rare earth industry. However, success will depend on balancing economic viability, environmental responsibility, and strategic investment.
As demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced technologies continues to grow, developing a secure domestic supply of rare earth elements could become one of the most important industrial challenges—and opportunities—of the coming decades.
While Elon Musk has been promoting an ambitious vision of orbital data centers as one of SpaceX’s major future businesses, another startup is pursuing a very different approach. Panthalassa, backed by Peter Thiel and a group of prominent technology investors, believes that ocean-based data centers offer a more practical and cost-effective solution.
The company is developing underwater facilities powered and cooled by the ocean itself. It began testing its prototype, Ocean-2, off the coast of Washington state in 2025. Panthalassa argues that this model could address many of the concerns surrounding land-based data centers, which have increasingly faced criticism for driving up utility costs, generating noise and pollution, and delivering limited economic benefits to local communities.
SpaceX, meanwhile, aims to begin launching its solar-powered orbital data centers by 2028. The concept envisions a vast network of satellites processing information in space and transmitting it back to Earth. The idea reflects the bold, futuristic vision often associated with Musk. However, the company’s IPO filing acknowledges the significant challenges involved, noting that the initiative depends on complex and largely unproven technologies that may require substantial advances before becoming commercially viable.
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., one of Japan’s leading producers of rare earth magnets, is planning to construct a new rare earth refining facility in Japan as part of its strategy to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce dependence on China.
The new refinery, which will be the company’s third facility in Fukui Prefecture in western Japan, is intended to enhance Shin-Etsu’s ability to maintain a stable supply of rare-earth products and permanent magnets. While the company has not disclosed the project’s capacity, schedule, or investment value, reports from the Nikkei indicate that the development will require an investment exceeding ¥35 billion (approximately US$218 million), with nearly half of the funding expected to come from government subsidies.
Rare earths have become increasingly important from both economic and geopolitical perspectives, as major economies seek to diversify supply sources and reduce China’s dominance in rare earth mining and processing. The issue is expected to feature prominently at the upcoming G7 summit in France.
Japan has also faced supply challenges following China’s suspension of exports of certain critical materials since early 2026, amid ongoing diplomatic tensions linked to comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.
According to analysts at Citigroup, the Shin-Etsu project is considered strategically important from a national security standpoint. Shin-Etsu is one of Japan’s three major magnet manufacturers, alongside TDK Corp. and Proterial Ltd. In addition to its two existing facilities in Fukui, the company also operates a rare earth business in Vietnam.
Indian industrial groups Reliance, Vedanta and Adani have shown interest in developing facilities to process Andhra Pradesh state’s significant reserves of increasingly important rare-earth minerals, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter.
With New Delhi seeking to cut India’s dependence on China for rare earths, the three companies are among about 10 who have expressed interest in setting up rare earth facilities in the southern state, one of the sources said.
Andhra Pradesh holds 211 million metric tons of beach sand mineral resources, including rare earths, across 16 identified coastal deposits, according to a draft document. India has 482.6 million tons of rare earth ore resources, according to the Geological Survey of India.
RARE EARTH AMBITIONS
The interest comes as New Delhi steps up efforts to build domestic rare earth mining, processing and magnet manufacturing capacity, while Andhra Pradesh aims to attract 500 billion rupees ($5.2 billion) in rare earth and titanium investments over the next decade.
The plans were set out in a draft government document.
The Andhra Pradesh government, Reliance Industries Ltd, Vedanta Ltd and Adani Enterprises Ltd did not respond to Reuters emails seeking comment.
Andhra Pradesh was among four states identified in February’s federal budget for the development of rare earth “corridors” covering mining, processing and magnet production.
The initiative followed New Delhi’s approval in November of a 73 billion rupee programme to support rare earth magnet manufacturing.
Rare earth elements are essential for permanent magnets used in applications such as electric vehicle motors. While India holds substantial rare earth reserves, it lacks industrial-scale facilities capable of processing the minerals to high purity levels.
CAPITAL INCENTIVES AND OTHER MEASURES
Andhra Pradesh plans to issue tenders for rare earth facilities after securing cabinet approval for its rare earth corridor policy, which is expected within a month, the sources said.
The state also plans to offer capital-linked incentives and additional benefits for projects with investments of 10 billion rupees or more, the sources said.
Andhra Pradesh has been courting large-scale investments, attracting companies including Google and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, and aims to secure $1 trillion in investment commitments by 2029, a state minister told Reuters last November.
BASF Introduces Oppanol® N PLUS for Next-Generation EV Batteries at Battery Show Europe 2026
BASF has unveiled Oppanol® N PLUS, a new high-performance binder designed to address the evolving demands of next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The company is showcasing the innovation at the Battery Show Europe 2026, taking place from June 9–11 in Stuttgart, Germany.
As battery technologies advance toward solid-state batteries (SSBs), manufacturers require materials that can deliver greater reliability, efficiency, and performance. Solid-state batteries are expected to provide longer driving ranges, faster charging capabilities, and enhanced safety, increasing the performance requirements for every component within the battery system.
Advancing Battery Performance and Manufacturing Consistency
Developed using BASF’s established polyisobutylene (PIB) technology, Oppanol® N PLUS is engineered specifically for modern battery applications. As a critical binder material, it helps maintain cohesion among active materials in the cathode, anode, or electrolyte while preserving structural integrity throughout the battery’s operational life.
The material’s high elasticity and flexibility enable it to absorb mechanical stresses caused by repeated charging and discharging cycles, supporting enhanced durability and long-term battery stability. Its chemically inert nature also helps minimize unwanted side reactions that could negatively affect battery performance.
One of the standout features of Oppanol® N PLUS is its consistently high product quality, achieved through tightly controlled manufacturing specifications. This allows battery producers to reduce process variability, limit reformulation efforts, streamline quality-control procedures, and implement production adjustments more efficiently and reliably.
To further support customers, BASF is improving product accessibility through stock availability and more flexible supply options, including package sizes starting at 20 kilograms. These measures are intended to help battery manufacturers and OEMs accelerate the development and commercialization of high-performance batteries for electric mobility.
According to Madeleine Jordan, Global Business Management Oppanol at BASF, the launch demonstrates the company’s commitment to combining decades of materials expertise with the evolving needs of the electromobility sector, while continuously enhancing proven technologies to support sustainable innovation.
Celebrating 95 Years of Oppanol Innovation
The introduction of Oppanol® N PLUS coincides with a major milestone for BASF: 95 years of polyisobutylene innovation.
The origins of the Oppanol product family date back to 1931, when chemist Michael Otto successfully demonstrated the polymerization of isobutene under suitable conditions. That same year, BASF patented a manufacturing process for polyisobutylene (PIB), which later became known as Oppanol—a name derived from Oppau, the Ludwigshafen district where the technology originated.
After seven years of intensive research and development, BASF began industrial-scale production in 1938 at its dedicated Oppanol facility. The material soon gained international recognition for its transparency, resistance to water and gases, chemical stability, safety profile, and strong adhesive properties.
Today, Oppanol is used across a broad range of industries and applications, including chewing gum, medical adhesive bandages, insulating glass units, cable insulation, roofing membranes, pipeline coatings, and advanced battery systems. Its durability, reliability, and chemical resistance have enabled the material to remain relevant while evolving to meet the requirements of emerging energy technologies.
With the launch of Oppanol® N PLUS, BASF is building on nearly a century of innovation, positioning the technology to support the future of electric mobility and advanced energy storage solutions.
India’s electric vehicle (EV) market is gaining traction as rising fuel prices, regulatory changes, and expanding model offerings encourage more consumers to switch from conventional vehicles.
Electric car sales rose 25% in the year ending March 2026, with EVs surpassing 5% of India’s passenger vehicle market—a key milestone often viewed as the threshold for mainstream adoption. Growth has been strongest in vehicles priced above ₹1 million, where EVs now account for one in every ten sales.
The recent surge in crude oil prices, driven in part by tensions in the Middle East, has strengthened the economic case for EVs. India imports nearly 90% of its oil requirements, making it vulnerable to global energy price fluctuations. Higher fuel costs have prompted increased consumer interest in electric mobility.
Long-term policy support is also expected to drive adoption. Proposed CAFE-3 emission standards, scheduled to take effect from April 2027, would significantly tighten fuel-efficiency and carbon-emission requirements for automakers. Industry analysts believe the new regulations could accelerate EV penetration by making compliance targets more stringent and enforceable.
State governments are also pushing the transition. Delhi has proposed phasing out registrations of new internal combustion engine (ICE) two- and three-wheelers by 2027 as part of efforts to reduce air pollution.
Analysts expect further growth to be supported by a strong pipeline of new EV launches, particularly in the passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segments. Nomura forecasts EV penetration in India’s passenger vehicle market could reach 9% by 2030.
Despite the positive outlook, significant challenges remain. Charging infrastructure continues to lag demand, with public charging stations increasing to more than 10,000 nationwide but remaining concentrated in a few states. Consumer concerns over charging availability and driving range continue to slow adoption.
India also remains heavily dependent on imported battery materials and rare earth elements, exposing the sector to supply-chain and geopolitical risks. Industry experts note that developing a fully integrated domestic EV supply chain could take more than a decade.
While rising fuel prices and supportive policies are boosting demand, industry observers say the pace of India’s EV transition will ultimately depend on regulatory certainty, infrastructure expansion, and stronger domestic manufacturing capabilities.
This version is structured in a concise business-news style, focusing on market trends, drivers, forecasts, and risks rather than narrative storytelling.
NEW DELHI: India’s Ministry of Mines is expected to soon introduce an incentive policy aimed at boosting domestic processing of lithium and nickel, with a proposed outlay of approximately ₹3,000 crore (US$313.48 million), according to two sources familiar with the development.
The sources requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The Ministry of Mines did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Reuters had reported in January that the planned incentive scheme would focus on lithium and nickel processing. In April, the Mines Secretary stated that the government had shortlisted two critical minerals for a processing policy designed to strengthen the electric vehicle (EV) value chain, though the specific minerals were not disclosed at the time.
Lithium and nickel are key components in EV batteries and are considered vital to India’s clean mobility ambitions. The government aims to increase electric vehicle adoption to 30% of passenger car sales and 80% of two-wheeler sales by 2030, up from the current levels of 6% and 9%, respectively.
Under the proposed policy, lithium processing facilities would be required to have a minimum annual capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes, while nickel processing plants would need a minimum capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes to qualify for incentives, Reuters previously reported.
A Blog for Browsing Mining, Mineral Processing, and Metals Info 