India bets on e-waste for critical minerals supply

E-waste has long been described as a ‘gold mine’ for critical minerals in the nation where commercial mining of such material is years away.

Published: 4:15pm, 19 Feb 2026

India is cashing in on its growing e-waste sector. Minerals like lithium and cobalt are being extracted from discarded electronics to help meet demand from manufacturers of products ranging from smartphones and jets to electric cars. And as global jitters over China’s dominance in critical minerals has sent demand soaring, “urban mining” is estimated to be worth up to US$6 billion annually.

India bets on e-waste for critical minerals supply

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}E-waste has long been described as a ‘gold mine’ for critical minerals in the nation where commercial mining of such material is years away.

E-waste has long been described as a ‘gold mine’ for critical minerals in the nation where commercial mining of such material is years away.