Centre Approves 58 Companies Under ₹1,500 Crore Critical Mineral Recycling Scheme

In a major push toward strengthening India’s critical mineral ecosystem, the Ministry of Mines has approved 58 companies under the government’s incentive scheme aimed at promoting the recycling of key minerals essential for clean energy and advanced technologies.

The initiative, part of the National Critical Mineral Mission, comes with a total outlay of ₹1,500 crore and is designed to build a robust domestic recycling infrastructure for materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements.

According to official data, the selected companies have collectively pledged investments of around ₹5,000 crore and are expected to create a recycling capacity of approximately 850 kilo tonnes per annum (KTPA).

The scheme focuses on extracting valuable minerals from lithium-ion batteries, electronic waste, and industrial scrap, helping reduce India’s heavy dependence on imports while supporting sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and electronics manufacturing.

Officials stated that the strong response from industry stakeholders reflects growing interest in building a circular economy around critical minerals. The applications, received between October 2025 and April 2026, were evaluated by a designated project management agency before final approvals were granted.

The move is seen as a strategic step in securing supply chains amid rising global competition for critical resources. With countries worldwide racing to secure minerals crucial for future technologies, India’s recycling push is expected to enhance self-reliance and reduce vulnerability to global supply disruptions.

Industry experts believe that the scheme will not only boost domestic capacity but also encourage innovation in recycling technologies, positioning India as a key player in the global critical minerals value chain.