NewKerala.com

India Boosts Rare Earth Mining to Secure Critical Minerals Supply

The Indian government, through the Atomic Minerals Directorate, is intensifying exploration for rare earth elements across coastal and inland regions. Resources include 136 beach sand deposits containing over 13 million tonnes of monazite, which holds rare earth oxides but is tied to radioactive thorium. Minister G. Kishan Reddy informed Parliament about these resources, noting that extraction is complex and expensive due to low grades and radioactivity. To build domestic capacity, the Cabinet has approved a ₹7,280 crore scheme to manufacture rare earth permanent magnets.

Key Points: India Expands Rare Earth Exploration and Mining Efforts

  • 136 beach sand deposits identified
  • 7.23 Mt rare earth oxide resources
  • New magnet manufacturing scheme approved
  • Extraction complex due to radioactivity
  • Aim to reduce import dependence
2 min read

India doubles down on exploration, mining of rare earths

India doubles down on rare earth mining with 136 deposits identified. Government outlines resources and new magnet manufacturing scheme to boost domestic supply chain.

"Indian resources are significantly lean with respect to grade and tied with radioactive elements making the extraction long, complex and expensive. - Government Report"

New Delhi, Feb 4

The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, a constituent unit of DAE, is carrying out exploration and augmentation of minerals of rare earth group elements along the coastal and inland placer sands as well as in hard rock terrains in several potential geological domains of the country, informed the government.

As on January 28, 2026 the rare earth minerals resources estimated by AMD include 136 deposits of Beach Sand Minerals containing 13.15 million tonnes (Mt) of monazite (a mineral of Thorium and Rare Earths) occurring in the coastal beach, teri/red sands and inland alluvium in parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

These deposits contain approximately 7.23 Mt in-situ Rare Earth Oxide (eq.) resources, said Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Also, three deposits of rare-earth minerals in hard rocks in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat containing 1.29 Mt in-situ Rare Earth Oxide (eq.) resources have been estimated.

According to the minister, the rare earth (RE) bearing ore, Monazite, is a prescribed substance due to its association with radioactive elements - uranium and thorium - and, therefore, mining, processing and refining is kept under government control.

India is one among three to four countries globally having capacity and capability in terms of Plant, technology and skilled work force in RE sector.

Indian resources are significantly lean with respect to grade and tied with radioactive elements making the extraction long, complex and expensive.

Further, Indian resource predominantly contain light rare earth elements.

While India has adequate rare-earth resources and capabilities for extraction and refining, commercial mining and processing of these minerals has been limited due to lack of adequate technology, absence of mid-stream and downstream industries in the REE value chain.

In November last year, the Union Cabinet has approved "Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets" with a financial outlay of Rs. 7,280 crore to establish 6,000 Metric Tons per Annum (MTPA) of integrated Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) manufacturing in India.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great news for job creation in states like Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Gujarat! But I hope the government ensures strict environmental safeguards. Mining, especially near coasts, can be very damaging if not done responsibly.
R
Rohit P
The article mentions the grade is low and extraction is complex/expensive. This is the real challenge. We have the resources, but do we have the cost-effective technology to compete globally? Hope the investment in R&D matches the exploration efforts.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in the renewable sector, this is promising. Permanent magnets are vital for wind turbines and EVs. Building domestic capacity from mining to manufacturing is key for India's energy transition and 'Make in India'.
M
Meera T
With all due respect to the government's efforts, I'm concerned. Monazite is radioactive. "Government control" is necessary, but transparency in operations and waste management near populated coastal areas is even more crucial. The local communities' safety must come first.
V
Vikram M
Finally! We've been talking about our rare earth potential for decades. Good to see concrete numbers and a plan. This can be a game-changer for electronics and defence manufacturing. Jai Hind!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50