India’s Rare Earth & Strategic Minerals Development (2025)

9️⃣2️⃣ India’s Rare Earth & Strategic Minerals Development (2025) ⛏️🌍

🔹 Introduction

India is strengthening its rare earth minerals and strategic metals industry to reduce dependency on imports, boost high-tech manufacturing, and enhance energy security. Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical for EV batteries, defense technology, semiconductors, and renewable energy systems.

With increasing global demand, India is expanding domestic rare earth mining, investing in processing technologies, and forming strategic partnerships to secure critical mineral supply chains. However, challenges like environmental impact, regulatory hurdles, and Chinese market dominance remain.

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🔹 Key Developments in India’s Rare Earth & Strategic Minerals Sector (2025)

✅ Expansion of Domestic Rare Earth Mining & Processing ⛏️

• First large-scale rare earth processing plant operational in Odisha.
• Coal India diversifies into rare earth mining to boost domestic supply.
• New exploration projects in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.

✅ Strategic Partnerships & Global Rare Earth Supply Chain 🌍

• India-Australia critical minerals agreement for lithium and cobalt.
• India-US collaboration on semiconductor-grade rare earth refining.
• QUAD nations launching joint initiatives for mineral security.

✅ Rare Earth Use in EVs, Defense & Renewable Energy 🔋

• REE-based permanent magnets developed for EV motors & wind turbines.
• Indigenous rare earth alloys used in missile guidance & radar systems.
• Research into alternative materials to reduce rare earth dependency.

✅ Sustainable Mining & Recycling Initiatives 🔄

• AI-powered rare earth extraction for efficiency & reduced waste.
• Urban mining projects launched for recycling electronic waste.
• Green mining policies for minimizing environmental damage.

✅ Challenges in India’s Rare Earth & Strategic Mineral Growth ⚠️

• China’s market control over global rare earth supply chains.
• High costs of rare earth extraction & refining.
• Environmental concerns in rare earth mining & waste disposal.

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📌 Advanced 3-Statement-Based MCQs on India’s Rare Earth & Strategic Minerals (2025)

1️⃣ Consider the following statements regarding India’s domestic rare earth mining expansion:

1. India has established its first large-scale rare earth processing plant in Odisha.
2. Coal India has diversified into rare earth mining to strengthen domestic supply.
3. India has completely stopped importing rare earth elements from other countries.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3

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2️⃣ Consider the following statements regarding India’s strategic partnerships in rare earth minerals:

1. India has signed a critical minerals agreement with Australia for lithium and cobalt.
2. India and the US are collaborating on semiconductor-grade rare earth refining.
3. India has banned all foreign collaborations in rare earth mining.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3

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3️⃣ Consider the following statements regarding rare earth applications in India’s high-tech industries:

1. Rare earth-based permanent magnets are used in EV motors and wind turbines.
2. India has developed indigenous rare earth alloys for defense applications.
3. India has completely replaced rare earth elements with alternative materials.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3

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4️⃣ Consider the following statements regarding sustainable mining and rare earth recycling in India:

1. AI is being used for rare earth extraction to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
2. Urban mining projects have been launched to recycle electronic waste.
3. India has already eliminated all environmental concerns related to rare earth mining.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3

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5️⃣ Consider the following statements regarding challenges in India’s rare earth sector:

1. China dominates the global rare earth supply chain, impacting India’s access.
2. Rare earth extraction and refining involve high costs.
3. India has fully secured its rare earth supply chains, eliminating dependence on imports.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3

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🚀 Conclusion

India’s rare earth and strategic minerals sector is expanding with domestic mining, global partnerships, and AI-driven extraction technologies, but challenges like Chinese market dominance, high processing costs, and environmental concerns remain. With sustained investment in sustainable mining, rare earth recycling, and alternative materials research, India aims to achieve mineral security for its growing high-tech economy.