New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- The Union Cabinet is likely to consider a proposed Rs 2,800-crore scheme to provide capital expenditure (capex) support for domestic processing of critical minerals, including lithium and nickel, according to a report.

The scheme aims to strengthen India's domestic processing capacity by converting lithium and nickel ores and intermediate products into high-purity compounds. Cobalt is also expected to be recovered as a by-product of nickel processing, sources familiar with the development told The Indian Express.

According to sources cited in the report, the scheme may offer a capital subsidy of 30 per cent of eligible investment for setting up four processing plants - two lithium plants with a minimum capacity of 3...