New Delhi, Feb 4: India is intensifying its exploration and mining of rare earth minerals, as reported by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research.
As of January 28, 2026, India has 136 beach sand mineral deposits with an estimated 13.15 million tonnes of monazite, yielding approximately 7.23 million tonnes of in-situ Rare Earth Oxide resources. Additionally, three hard rock deposits estimated at 1.29 million tonnes have been identified in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Monazite, associated with radioactive elements, is strictly regulated. Despite possessing capabilities in the rare earth sector, India faces challenges like low-grade resources and insufficient mid-stream and downstream industries.
The government has approved a plan to promote rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing, allocating Rs. 7,280 crore to establish an annual capacity of 6,000 Metric Tons.
