Coastal states key to India's rare earth ambitions as Mines Ministry reveals vast deposits

India possesses substantial and mineable reserves of rare earth elements (REEs), strategically vital minerals crucial for defense and high-tech industries, the Mines Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday. Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, responding to a query from MP Sumitra Balmik, stated that approximately 7.23 million tonnes (MT) of in-situ rare earth elements oxide (REO) are found within 13.15 MT of monazite across coastal beaches, "teri red sand," and inland alluvium deposits. These significant reserves are spread across states including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

Further boosting India's mineral security, an additional 1.29 MT of in-situ REO resources have been identified in hard rock formations in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has confirmed the feasibility of mining these resources, while its constituent unit, the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), actively continues exploration efforts. This announcement comes at a critical time when global trade disruptions, notably China's recent export restrictions on REEs, have underscored the urgent need for nations, including India, to secure domestic supplies of these essential minerals.

India's push for rare earth self-reliance is gaining momentum, with the government considering proposals to fast-track environmental clearances for critical minerals through a dedicated window on its Parivesh 2.0 portal. The newly launched National Critical Mineral Mission aims to build domestic capacity and strengthen supply chain resilience, including exploring support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups in rare earth mining. Despite holding large reserves, India currently contributes less than 1% to global refined REE output, largely due to the complex and capital-intensive refining processes. However, the confirmed mineability of these extensive coastal and inland deposits positions India to significantly reduce its reliance on imports and emerge as a key player in the global rare earth market.