RARE EARTH ELEMENTS (REE) – INDIA’S POSITION

CURRENT CONTEXT : A CareEdge report highlights that India holds 8% of global Rare Earth Element (REE) reserves—the third-largest globally—but contributes less than 1% to REE mining and refining.

 ABOUT REE IN INDIA:

• Global share: India hold 8% of world reserves; China holds 49% of reserves, 69% of mining, 90% of refining.
• Key reserves: ~130 monazite sand deposits located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha.
• Contributing factors:
  • REEs co-occur with radioactive thorium; complex extraction is expensive.
  • India lacks full value chain: while it mines and produces oxides, it cannot produce REE magnets or alloys—requires upgrades.
  • Predominantly Light REEs; Heavy REEs are scant.
  • Mining hampered by Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
  • IREL (Indian Rare Earths Limited) is the sole monazite processor.
• Policy push: 2025 National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) launched to promote domestic REE processing and reduce China dependence