https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

India Accelerates Rare Earth Exploration Amid Global Supply Concerns: DAE

Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: In a strategic move to secure its supply of critical minerals, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is actively exploring and augmenting rare earth group elements (REEs) in various geological regions across India, Parliament was informed on Monday.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy stated that the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) — a key unit of the DAE — is spearheading this effort as part of India’s broader push for self-reliance in critical minerals, especially amid China’s tightening export controls on REEs and magnets.

Read Also: India’s First Indigenous 700 MWe Nuclear Reactors at Kakrapar Operated by NPCIL Get Five-Year Licence from AERB

Exploration Underway Across Multiple States

Minister Reddy said that AMD is conducting exploration of rare earth group elements in:

  • Coastal/inland/riverine placer sands
  • Hard rock terrains in geologically promising zones

As a result of this ongoing work, 7.23 million tonnes (MT) of in-situ Rare Earth Oxide (REO) resources have been identified, primarily in 13.15 MT of monazite found in coastal and inland regions of:

  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Odisha
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Kerala
  • West Bengal
  • Jharkhand
  • Gujarat
  • Maharashtra

Additionally, 1.29 MT of in-situ REO has been located in hard rock formations in Gujarat and Rajasthan, with DAE confirming the feasibility of mining these deposits.

GSI Adds to Resource Estimates

In parallel, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has contributed to national resource mapping by identifying an additional 482.6 MT of REE ore across 34 exploration projects, based on various cut-off grades.

National Critical Minerals Mission Boosts Momentum

Reddy also highlighted the role of the recently launched National Critical Minerals Mission (2025), which aims to:

  • Develop a resilient domestic supply chain
  • Reduce import dependency

Promote indigenous exploration and processing of critical minerals, including REEs

This mission aligns with India’s broader strategic goals in renewable energy, electronics, EV manufacturing, and defence, all of which rely heavily on rare earth elements.

Read Also: DAE Boosts Cancer Care with Advanced Radiopharmaceuticals

Context: China’s Curbs Disrupt Global Supply Chain

The urgency of the initiative stems from China’s recent export restrictions on rare earth materials and magnets, which have significantly impacted global industries, especially automotive and white goods manufacturing. India’s stepped-up efforts are viewed as part of a larger global trend to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on Chinese exports.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
T-SATS defence innovation
CDS Inaugurates Tri Services Academia Technology Symposium (T-SATS) to Boost Defence Innovation and Collaboration with Academia
SPARSH defence pension
SPARSH Transforms Defence Pension Management: Resolves 87% Legacy Cases, Cuts Grievance Redressal Time by 64%
Gujarat folk art PM mementos
Gujarat Showcases Iconic Folk Art in 7th PM Mementos e-Auction Supporting Namami Gange
Vandana Gupta
Who is Vandana Gupta? Senior IP&TAFS Officer Takes Charge as Controller General of Communication Accounts
COAL-GST
Coal Sector Gets a Boost: GST Reforms Remove Compensation Cess, Align With Aatmanirbhar Bharat Vision
Pawan-K-Godatwar-696x392
Dr. Pawan K. Godatwar’s Tenure Extended as WHO-SEARO Technical Officer for Traditional Medicine Till 2026
India Morocco defence MoU
India and Morocco Sign Defence Cooperation MoU to Boost Strategic, Industrial, and Maritime Ties
Swati Gupta PCS officer
Who Is Swati Gupta? Meet the UP PCS Officer, Tech Graduate, and Viral Social Media Influencer – Why She’s Trending for Facebook Fame
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
From Extinction to Exhilaration: The Untold Story and Future Vision of Project Cheetah | Led by IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma | Eco Warrior Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Devanshu Shivhare MPPSC
How This Commercial Tax Inspector Topped MPPSC 2024: Devanshu Shivhare’s 5-Year Journey to Rank 1 | Exclusive Interview
Devanshu Shivhare secured AIR 1 in MPPSC 2024 in his fourth attempt while working full-time. His disciplined,...
Ishwarlal Gurjar UPSC
10th Grade Failure to Indian Police Service: Ishwarlal Gurjar’s UPSC Success Path
Read the inspiring journey of Ishwarlal Gurjar from a small village in Rajasthan to becoming an IPS officer....
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
T-SATS defence innovation
CDS Inaugurates Tri Services Academia Technology Symposium (T-SATS) to Boost Defence Innovation and Collaboration with Academia
SPARSH defence pension
SPARSH Transforms Defence Pension Management: Resolves 87% Legacy Cases, Cuts Grievance Redressal Time by 64%
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT