NEWS – Rare Earth Minerals Found in Rajasthan – Mining Auction Soon  

HIGHLIGHTS

Strategic Discovery:

• Location: Bhati-Khera in Balotra district, Rajasthan
• Minerals Found: Bastnasite, britholite, xenotime – key sources of Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
• Geological Context: Found in carbonatite and microgranite rocks

Global Relevance of REEs:

• Use Cases: Smartphones, EVs, defence systems, wind turbines, missile tech
• REE Family: Includes neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, yttrium, etc.
• Current Monopoly: China controls 90% of global REE supply
• India’s Position: 6.9 million tonnes of reserves (3rd largest globally) but only 1% of world output

Survey & Auction:

• Conducted By: Geological Survey of India (GSI) & Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD)
• Auction Status: Rs 10 crore auction to begin soon
• Environmental Clearance: Easier due to no eco-sensitive zones nearby

Policy Push:

• Launched: National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) – 2025
• Target: 1,200 exploration projects (2024–31), Bhati-Khera prioritized
• Incentives: ₹1,000 crore PLI scheme for domestic rare earth magnet manufacturing