Lohum Has Announced Plans to Acquire Nickel Mines
The company aims to increase battery mineral production to meet rising demand for electric vehicles.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Lohum has unveiled a strategy to acquire nickel mines in Indonesia and the Philippines to support its global battery material manufacturing. The company is currently seeking 30 billion rupees in capital to fund these expansion efforts and boost production capacity.
Why it matters
By securing its own raw material sources, the company aims to reduce dependence on existing Chinese supply chains for critical minerals. This shift is designed to ensure a more stable supply of battery components for the growing electric vehicle market.
The company is targeting a tenfold increase in nickel production capacity over the next 18 months. This expansion is supported by 30 billion rupees in planned equity and debt fundraising and existing lithium rights in Zimbabwe.
The players
Lohum
An India-based battery materials and recycling company focused on establishing independent supply chains for critical raw materials.
The details
The expansion strategy involves processing raw lithium ore into lithium sulphate in Zimbabwe before refining it into lithium carbonate at facilities in India. Additionally, the company is constructing a 5,000 metric ton cathode active material plant and a 1,200 metric ton rare earth magnet plant in Uttar Pradesh. These facilities are intended to streamline the supply chain from raw material extraction to final battery component manufacturing.
Timeline
September 2026: Lohum announced plans to purchase nickel mines.
Next 12 to 18 months: Planned equity and debt capital raising.
Next 18 months: Targeted nickel production capacity increase.
March 2027: Uttar Pradesh cathode plant commissioning.
Early 2027: Sharjah battery-recycling plant operational target.
The Home Front
This development follows the global industrial trend of vertical integration in the battery supply chain to reduce reliance on foreign material sources. Such investments aim to secure long-term capacity for vehicle electrification as global demand for battery minerals accelerates.
As battery supply chains expand globally, homeowners may see more consistent availability and potentially lower costs for electric vehicle components over time. Keep an eye on local manufacturing shifts to understand how these global supply changes might eventually influence vehicle prices and service costs.
The takeaway
The move by Lohum represents a significant push toward regionalized and independent mineral sourcing for electric vehicle batteries. Readers should monitor these supply chain shifts, as they often dictate the long-term price trends for the household technologies we rely on.
What happens next
The company is scheduled to commission a new cathode active material plant in Uttar Pradesh by March 2027. Additionally, a battery-recycling plant in Sharjah is expected to become operational in early 2027.
Further reading
To learn more about the components that power modern transportation, visit our Electric Vehicles section.
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