Bihar’s newly found nickel, cobalt and rare earth deposits highlight strategic value of critical minerals

India has identified new deposits of nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements in Bihar, with cobalt reported in the Banka area—materials that are crucial for EV batteries, solar panels and electronics. Experts say domestic mining could curb import dependence, lower costs and support the development of semiconductor and electronics manufacturing corridors. The find marks meaningful progress in resource exploration, but it has not moved into commercial extraction or output. As a result, the near-term impact on global nickel supply and demand is expected to be limited.