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Rare earth mineral deposits in india

12 Jul 2025 GS 1 Geography
Rare earth mineral deposits in india Click to view full image

 Why in news : West Bengal to Begin Rare Earth Mining in Purulia

  • Location: Rare earth mineral exploration is underway in Purulia district, West Bengal.

  • Conducted by: Geological Survey of India (GSI)

Rare Earth Deposits and Industry Potential in India

  • Geological Domains & Key Deposits:

    • Beach placers: Major REE deposits found along the eastern and southern coasts of India.

    • Chotanagpur Granite Gneiss Complex: Hosts heavy REE-bearing stream placers in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

    • Carbonatite-hosted deposits (Western India):

      • Amba Dongar and Kamthai – major carbonatite REE sites.

      • Samchampi complex – low-grade yttrium (Y) ore.

    • Siwana Ring Complex (Rajasthan):

      • Hosts low-grade heavy REE (HREE) in (per)alkaline microgranite dykes and tuffs.

    • Kanigiri granite (Andhra Pradesh):

      • Rich in REE, niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), and thorium (Th).

    • Hydrothermal Veins:

      • Along Singhbhum Shear Zone and South Purulia Shear Zone – contain significant REE.

      • Kasipatnam area also shows REE potential.

  • Recommendations for Industry Development:

    • Planned resource utilisation based on deposit size and distribution:

      • Large-scale mining for vast deposits.

      • Small-scale/artisanal mining for scattered, small deposits.

    • Strengthen upstream and downstream sectors to identify and sustain REE resources.

    • Promote innovation through IT and materials engineering integration.

  • Strategic Importance:

    • Align REE development with Atmanirbhar Bharat, Mine in India, and Make in India initiatives.

    • Aim for self-reliance in critical minerals through sustainable and technological advancement.

  • Monazite:

    • A major source of rare earth elements (REEs) and thorium.

    • Thorium is a “prescribed substance” under the Atomic Energy Act.

  • Rare Earth Elements (REEs):

    • Includes 17 elements like cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, dysprosium, yttrium, etc.

    • Critical for electronics, defense, clean energy, and space technologies.

  • National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM):

    • Launched to ensure secure, sustainable supply of critical minerals including REEs.

    • Aims to reduce dependence on China for rare earth supplies.

  • Global Significance:

    • India has strategic reserves of rare earths and thorium, positioning it as a key global player in future energy and technology sectors.



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