India Third in Global Rare Earth Reserves at 6.9 Million Tonnes
Why in the news
India ranks third worldwide in rare earth reserves, raising its weight in critical minerals.
Ranking by REO reserves
| Rank | Country | Reserves |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 44 MT |
| 2 | Brazil | About 21 MT |
| 3 | India | 6.9 MT (6-7% of world) |
About rare earth elements
- 17 elements, including lanthanides, scandium and yttrium.
- Not truly rare; processing is costly.
- Used in EV and wind-turbine magnets, electronics, defence and space systems, green hydrogen and batteries.
India’s resource base
- Monazite beach sands in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- Managed mainly by IREL.