New Delhi, Jul 23 (INB) The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research under the Department of Atomic Energy, has identified substantial in-situ REE oxide resources—approximately 7.23 million tonnes contained within 13.15 million tonnes of monazite, a thorium and REE-rich mineral found across coastal and inland regions across various states, according to information shared in Parliament.
The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research estimates that the rare earth elements (REE) are available in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
Additionally, 1.29 million tonnes of REO have been discovered in hard rock terrains in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has contributed 482.6 million tonnes of REE ore resources through 34 exploration projects.
According to the written reply by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha India has not imported any rare earth minerals in the last decade and has exported merely 18 tonnes, signaling a cautious domestic-first approach.
This strategy gains relevance against the backdrop of rising global supply chain tensions especially with China.
Singh said that the Ministry of External Affairs is actively engaging in diplomatic discussions to counter export restrictions imposed by certain nations on rare earth magnets, crucial for peaceful nuclear energy applications.
Bilateral and multilateral dialogues aim to mitigate disruptions and safeguard domestic industrial interests, he said.
“Efforts are being made to secure overseas resources through bilateral engagements with mineral-rich countries such as Australia, Argentina, Chile etc. Notably, KABIL- a JV of the Ministry of Mines has acquired 15,703 hectares in Catamarca Province, Argentina, for lithium exploration and mining,” the minister said.
In a broader push for self-reliance and strategic autonomy, the Ministry of Mines has undertaken multiple measures to fortify India’s position in the global critical minerals ecosystem.
The minister said that the Ministry of Mines is also engaged in various multilateral and bilateral platforms like Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), India-UK Technology and Security Initiative (TSI), Quad etc for strengthening the critical minerals value chain.
“The Ministry of Mines has signed several MoUs with resource rich countries like Australia, Chile, Zambia, Peru etc,” he said.
The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) on 29 January with an expenditure of Rs 16,300 crore and expected investment of Rs 18,000 crore by PSUs, etc.
“The Mission will be implemented over a period of seven years, from FY 2024-25 to 2030- 31 with a budgetary support of Rs 2600 crore,” Singh said.
He said that the mission aims to secure a long-term sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthen India’s critical mineral value chains encompassing all stages from mineral exploration and mining to beneficiation, processing, and recovery from end-of-life products.
The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research estimates that the rare earth elements (REE) are available in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
Additionally, 1.29 million tonnes of REO have been discovered in hard rock terrains in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has contributed 482.6 million tonnes of REE ore resources through 34 exploration projects.
According to the written reply by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha India has not imported any rare earth minerals in the last decade and has exported merely 18 tonnes, signaling a cautious domestic-first approach.
This strategy gains relevance against the backdrop of rising global supply chain tensions especially with China.
Singh said that the Ministry of External Affairs is actively engaging in diplomatic discussions to counter export restrictions imposed by certain nations on rare earth magnets, crucial for peaceful nuclear energy applications.
Bilateral and multilateral dialogues aim to mitigate disruptions and safeguard domestic industrial interests, he said.
“Efforts are being made to secure overseas resources through bilateral engagements with mineral-rich countries such as Australia, Argentina, Chile etc. Notably, KABIL- a JV of the Ministry of Mines has acquired 15,703 hectares in Catamarca Province, Argentina, for lithium exploration and mining,” the minister said.
In a broader push for self-reliance and strategic autonomy, the Ministry of Mines has undertaken multiple measures to fortify India’s position in the global critical minerals ecosystem.
The minister said that the Ministry of Mines is also engaged in various multilateral and bilateral platforms like Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), India-UK Technology and Security Initiative (TSI), Quad etc for strengthening the critical minerals value chain.
“The Ministry of Mines has signed several MoUs with resource rich countries like Australia, Chile, Zambia, Peru etc,” he said.
The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) on 29 January with an expenditure of Rs 16,300 crore and expected investment of Rs 18,000 crore by PSUs, etc.
“The Mission will be implemented over a period of seven years, from FY 2024-25 to 2030- 31 with a budgetary support of Rs 2600 crore,” Singh said.
He said that the mission aims to secure a long-term sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthen India’s critical mineral value chains encompassing all stages from mineral exploration and mining to beneficiation, processing, and recovery from end-of-life products.