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EV Raw Materials & Mines


Strategic raw materials form the foundation of the EV supply chain. Lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, manganese, copper, and rare earth elements are critical inputs for batteries, motors, and electrical systems. Securing sustainable, reliable supply of these resources is a strategic priority for automakers and governments, as mining and refining capacity is geographically concentrated and often environmentally challenging. Mines represent the upstream anchor of the electrification ecosystem, with exploration, extraction, and processing determining the pace of global EV deployment.

Key Battery Materials

These minerals directly shape battery chemistry, cost, and performance. Their availability and price volatility are among the biggest risks to EV scaling.

As one example, an average Tesla S battery contains 63kg of lithium hydroxide Li2CO3, 50kg (80% of the cathode) of nickel, and 7.5kg of cobalt (15% of the cathode). Other cathode metals include aluminum and managanese in lesser amounts. Anodes are made from graphite (carbon), of which there is 70kg-100kg on average.

Material Main Use Major Producers Constraints
Lithium Cathode active material, LiPF6 electrolytes Australia, Chile, Argentina, China Concentrated supply; refining bottlenecks in China
Nickel High-nickel cathodes (NMC, NCA) Indonesia, Philippines, Russia, Canada High carbon footprint; export restrictions (Indonesia)
Cobalt Cathodes (stability, safety) DRC, Russia, Australia Artisanal mining, ESG concerns, child labor
Manganese Cathodes (LFP, LMFP blends) South Africa, Gabon, Australia Limited high-purity supply for batteries
Graphite Anodes (natural and synthetic) China, Mozambique, Madagascar China dominates refining; synthetic graphite energy-intensive
Copper HV wiring, motors, busbars Chile, Peru, China, DRC Mining expansion needed; energy-intensive refining

Motor & Electronics Materials

Rare earths and specialty metals are vital for motors, power electronics, and magnets, making them strategic for EV drivetrains and grid integration.

Material Main Use Major Producers Constraints
Neodymium/Dysprosium Permanent magnets in motors China, Myanmar, Australia China dominates refining; price volatility
Gallium GaN power devices China, Germany Byproduct metal; supply tied to aluminum refining
Silicon Carbide (SiC) Power semiconductors U.S. (Wolfspeed), Japan, China Wafer bottlenecks; high capex for fabs
Platinum Group Metals Fuel cells, hydrogen catalysts (optional) South Africa, Russia High cost, volatile demand with hydrogen adoption

Why They Matter

Securing raw materials is a prerequisite for scaling EVs, grid storage, and electrified infrastructure. Mines anchor the upstream end of the supply chain, and access to them determines which regions can lead in EV manufacturing. Unlike software or electronics, mining has long lead times - often a decade or more - making strategic planning critical.

Raw Material Mines in the U.S.

List of all the major mines for extracting lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite for making electric vehicle batteries.Once the materials are mined, they are sent to battery material refineries for further processing to make battery-grade (BG) materials used to make cathodes and anodes.

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Mine Parent Location Element

Largest mines worldwide

These are the largest operational mines for extracting lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper in the world.

kt = thousand tons | Mt = million tons

Largest lithium (Li) mines

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Mine Output Country

Largest nickel (Ni) mines

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Largest Cobalt (Co) mines

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Largest copper (Cu) mines

There are about 180 lbs of copper in an EV car, which is mainly used in motor windings, HV cables, battery interconnects, and the wiring harness.

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Mine Output Country

Market Outlook & Adoption (Ranked)

Rank Trend Adoption Drivers Constraints
1 Lithium Expansion Global demand surge; IRA/EU Critical Raw Materials Act Refining bottlenecks; long mine development timelines
2 Nickel/HPAL Projects Needed for high-nickel cathodes High emissions; ESG controversies in Indonesia
3 Graphite Diversification Shift to synthetic and non-China sources Energy-intensive production; limited outside China
4 Rare Earth Recycling Reduce dependency on China; secure magnets for motors Still early stage; limited scale vs demand growth

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