Rajasthan executes India's first rare earth elements exploration licence under CM Bhajan Lal Sharma
Jaipur, July 29
Rajasthan has achieved a major milestone in India's critical minerals sector by executing the country's first Rare Earth Elements Exploration Licence, marking a significant step towards strengthening the nation's strategic mineral security.
The landmark initiative has been undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who also holds the Mines portfolio.
The Department of Mines and Geology executed the country's first exploration licence for Rare Earth Elements and associated minerals, reaffirming Rajasthan's position as a leader in the mining sector.
The state already ranks first in India in the auction of major mineral blocks and has now become the first to execute an REE exploration licence awarded through a transparent auction process.
The licence covers a 207.63-square-kilometre area in the Navatala-Devigarh region, spanning Pachpadra tehsil in Balotra district and Shergarh tehsil in Jodhpur district.
Geological investigations have indicated the presence of key Rare Earth Elements, including Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium and Neodymium, all of which are critical for advanced technology and strategic industries.
To accelerate exploration and mining of critical minerals, the Central government launched auctions for exploration licences in 2025 following policy reforms initiated in 2024.
In the first phase of these auctions, M/s Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI) emerged as the successful bidder for the Rajasthan block, after which the state government granted the exploration licence.
The agreement was formally executed by Director (Mines) Mahavir Prasad Meena, Additional Director (Headquarters) Mahesh Mathur, and Vikrant Gupta, Head of Business Development at CMPDI, in the presence of senior officials from the Department of Mines and Geology.
Additional Chief Secretary (Mines) Aparna Arora said the execution of the country's first auctioned REE exploration licence demonstrates Rajasthan's commitment to transparent and investment-friendly mineral governance.
She noted that scientific exploration of these critical minerals would encourage private investment while strengthening India's supply chain for strategic minerals.
Rare Earth Elements are indispensable for industries such as electric vehicles, defence, aerospace, renewable energy, semiconductors, electronics, telecommunications, and other high-tech manufacturing sectors.
The successful execution of the exploration licence is expected to support the Centre's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by enhancing domestic availability of critical minerals and reducing dependence on imports.
With this pioneering initiative, Rajasthan has once again reinforced its position at the forefront of India's mining sector and opened a new chapter in the country's exploration of strategically important mineral resources.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see India making moves in the critical minerals space. But I hope the state government ensures proper rehabilitation and compensation for any local communities affected. Environmental safeguards must be a priority too.
This is brilliant! Rare earths are the backbone of modern tech - EVs, smartphones, defence systems. Being self-reliant in these minerals is not just about economics but also national security. Kudos to Rajasthan government for taking the lead. 🇮🇳
One concern - the article mentions 207 sq km area. How much of this is forest land or agricultural? We need to balance mineral development with ecological conservation. Transparent auction is good, but execution needs careful monitoring.
Ab samajh aaya why Rajasthan is leading in mining reforms. From sandstone to rare earths - the state is diversifying smartly. Next step should be setting up local processing units so we don't just export raw minerals but create value addition within India. Wah! 🚀
Impressive move! But I'm curious about the technical challenges - REE extraction is notoriously difficult and environmentally sensitive. Hope CMPDI has the expertise and that the state has robust oversight mechanisms in place.
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