MiniMines has signed an MoU with the Karnataka government to build a Rs. 350 crore Giga Critical Minerals Refining Complex in Bengaluru. The facility will refine lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, graphite, and other essential minerals, strengthening India’s clean-energy supply chain. With a planned capacity of 15,000 MTPA in Phase-1, the plant will support applications in EV batteries, electronics, aerospace, and defence.

The move deepens India’s strategy to reduce import dependence on battery-grade materials, a segment currently dominated by China and a few other global suppliers. Localising refining capabilities is seen as a critical step in securing raw-material availability for cell manufacturing under the PLI scheme. The project also positions Karnataka as a leading state in the emerging critical-minerals ecosystem.

MiniMines’ entry into large-scale processing is expected to encourage similar private-sector investments in upstream and midstream mineral value chains. The company aims to deploy advanced refining and recycling technologies that reduce carbon intensity and improve mineral recovery rates. Over the long term, this complex could become a strategic node in India’s energy-transition and manufacturing framework.