PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NATIONAL RARE EARTHS POLICY

Introduction:
The issue at hand is the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), a significant initiative launched by the Government of India in 2025. The NCMM aims to establish a comprehensive framework for India’s self-reliance in the critical mineral sector, particularly focusing on rare earth elements (REEs). This initiative has garnered attention as it reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Government Launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM):
The NCMM is being implemented by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), a government agency responsible for geological investigations, while the India REE Limited (IREL), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is playing a pivotal role in exploring and extracting REE from specific minerals. The NCMM’s objectives include identifying critical resources, conducting exploration projects, and ensuring sustainable utilization of these materials for various sectors such as construction, energy, and electronics.

Exploration Projects Under NCMM:
Under the NCMM, GSI has been assigned 1200 exploration projects spanning a period from 2024-25 to 2030-31. These projects aim to identify critical minerals, including monazite (a phosphate mineral containing Th and REE) and xenotime (a phosphate mineral of yttrium and REE), for potential development in the country’s mining sector.

IREL’s Role: IREL is mandated to produce high-purity rare earth oxides from REE. Their three locations are equipped with advanced infrastructure for exploration, extraction, and refining of REEs. The department has been taking steps to assess the economic feasibility of REE production before initiating operations at each location. This initiative aligns with IREL’s commitment to sustainable resource development.

Government’s Commitment to RARE EARTH MINES: The NCMM reflects the government’s broader strategy to enhance India’s contribution to global mineral resources. By focusing on critical minerals like REEs, the initiative aims to reduce dependence on external imports and promote self-reliance. The goal is to ensure the sustainable development of these materials for various sectors, including construction, energy, and electronics.

Summary:
The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) represents a significant step in India’s commitment to rare earths (REEs). GSI and IREL are leading efforts under this initiative, with GSI focusing on exploration projects and IRL producing REE for various geographies. The document provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, emphasizes India’s role in advancing REE production. While the details are internal and not publicly disclosed, these initiatives highlight a clear direction for future production strategies and sustainable resource development.

This blog aims to provide an overview of the NCMM and its implications for India’s RARE EARTH mines, while acknowledging the internal nuances of the initiative.