Lok Sabha Question No. 5253 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Import of Rare Earth Metals
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Rao Rajendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5253

ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## IMPORT OF RARE EARTH METALS

5253. SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  data  on  the  quantum  of  rare  earth  metals imported and the countries from which it has been imported during the last five years and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government is aware of specifically the neodymium reserves present within the boundaries of the country along with the quantum of their utilization and the quantum to be utilised and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  data  on  the  availability  of  rare  earth  metal reserves in the State of Rajasthan and a policy framework for utilising them in the next five years and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a): Yes, The details on the quantum of rare earth metals imported and the countries from which it has been imported during the last five years is given at Annexure-I.

(b): Yes, Government is aware of the occurrence of neodymium in the country. The Geological Survey of India (GSI), under the Ministry of Mines, is actively engaged in carrying  out  mineral  exploration  across  the  country  following  guidelines  of  United Nations  Framework  Classification  [UNFC  stage  viz.  reconnaissance  surveys  (G4), preliminary exploration (G3) and  general exploration (G2)] and  the Minerals (Evidence  of  Mineral  Contents)  (MEMC)  Rules,  2015  with  an  aim  to  augment resource for various mineral commodities including critical minerals specified in Part D  of  the  First  Schedule  of  the  Mines  &  Minerals  (Development  &  Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2023. During Field  Season  (FS)  2021-22  and  2022-23, GSI  had  taken  up  three  reconnaissance  stage  projects  for  Rare  Earth  Elements including  neodymium  in  Sirohi  and  Bhilwara  districts  of  Rajasthan  as  per  the approved field season programme. The details are given at Annexure-II.

- (c):  The  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  has  explored  1,11,845  tonne in-situ Rare Earth  Elements  Oxide  (REO)  in  hard  rock  terrains  in  parts  of  Balotra  (erstwhile

Barmer)  district,  Rajasthan.  As  policy  framework  for  utilizing  critical  minerals, including rare earth metals, the National Critical Mineral Mission has been launched, secure  critical  mineral  supply  chain  by which  is India's strategic initiative to increasing domestic critical minerals production and foreign supply sources. Under the Mission, GSI has prioritized and intensified its exploration activities for critical and strategic minerals across the country including Rajasthan, with an aim to find  out  potential  mineralized  locales  as  well  as  to  establish  more  resources  for these minerals. During the current FS 2024-25, GSI has taken up 195 exploration projects  including  35  projects  in  Rajasthan,  to  assess  the  mineral  potential  of strategic and critical minerals. The detailed list of mineral exploration projects taken up by GSI in Rajasthan exclusively for REE/RM and associated minerals from FS 2021-22 to 2024-25 is given at Annexure-III. Since MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, GSI has established resource of REE in Barmer and Sikar districts of Rajasthan. GSI has handed over one resource bearing geological  report  (GR)  on  REE,  one

Geological Memorandums (GM) on REE and one GM on tungsten for auctioning.

*****

Annexure-I referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5253 answered on 02.04.2025 regarding 'Import of Rare Earth Metals'

Table: Country wise quantum of rare earth metals imported by India during last 5 years

Quantity in Tonnes

| # HS Code-                         | 2019-20   | 2019-20     | 2020-21   | 2020-21   | 2021-22   | 2021-22   | 2022-23   | 2022-23   | 2023-24   | 2023-24   |
|------------------------------------|-----------|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Description                        | Country   | Qty         | Country   | Qty       | Country   | Qty       | Country   | Qty       | Country   | Qty       |
| 1. 28053000 - Alkali               | China     | 437         | China     | 445       | China     | 714.5     | China     | 709       | China     | 699       |
| or alkaline earth metals: Rare-    | Hong Kong | 34          | Japan     | 11        | Japan     | 34        | Japan     | 42        | Hong Kong | 234       |
| earth metals,                      | Japan 2   | Sweden      |           | 10        | USA       | 6.6       | Singapore | 20        | Japan     | 192       |
| scandium and yttrium, whether      | USA 0.57  | USA         |           | 4.69      | Hong Kong | 5         | Hong Kong | 20        | Mongolia  | 60        |
| or not intermixed or inter alloyed | UK 0.08   | Hong Kong   |           | 0.05      | Russia    | 1         | USA       | 1.09      | UK        | 0.11      |
|                                    | Others    | 0.00 Others |           | 0.07      | Others    | 0.06      | Others    | 0.18      | Others    | 0.02      |
|                                    | Total     | 473.65      | Total     | 470.61    | Total     | 761       | Total     | 792       | Total     | 1,185     |
| 2. 2846-                           | Russia    | 452         | China     | 695       | China     | 745       | China     | 796       | China     | 780       |
| Compounds,                         | China     | 434         | Russia    | 156       | Japan     | 196       | Korea     | 150       | Japan     | 148       |
| inorganic or                       | Japan     | 255         | Japan     | 133       | Korea     | 93        | Japan     | 148       | Korea     | 90        |
| organic, of rare                   | Germany   | 59          | Korea     | 91        | Austria   | 41        | USA       | 20        | USA       | 24        |
| earth metals                       | Austria   | 31          | Austria   | 46        | Russia    | 40        | France    | 14        | France    | 19        |
|                                    | Others    | 144         | Others    | 129       | Others    | 69        | Others    | 24        | Others    | 24        |
|                                    | Total     | 1,375       | Total     | 1,250     | Total     | 1,183     | Total     | 1,153     | Total     | 1,086     |
| REE Total                          |           | 1,848       |           | 1,721     |           | 1,944     |           | 1,945     |           | 2,270     |

Note:REE has 17 elements. HS codes 280530 and 2846 pertain to REE as a whole and not to a particular element.

Annexure-II  referred  to  in  reply  to  part  (b)  of  Lok  Sabha  Unstarred  Question No. 5253 answered on 02.04.2025 regarding 'Import of Rare Earth Metals' Elements  including

Table: G4  stage projects taken up for Rare Earth neodymium in Rajasthan during FS 2021-22 and FS 2022-23

| Sl. No      | State District   | Name of Mineral Block / Area/ Belt                 | UNFC Stage   | Mineral Commodity            |             |
|-------------|------------------|----------------------------------------------------|--------------|------------------------------|-------------|
| FS: 2021-22 | FS: 2021-22      | FS: 2021-22                                        | FS: 2021-22  | FS: 2021-22                  | FS: 2021-22 |
| 1           | RajasthanSirohi  | Jirawal-Sanpur                                     | G4           | Neodymium and Dysprosium     |             |
| 2           |                  | RajasthanBhilwaraMahendragarh-Gundli- Bawri        | G4           | Neodymium and associated REE |             |
| FS: 2022-23 | FS: 2022-23      | FS: 2022-23                                        | FS: 2022-23  | FS: 2022-23                  | FS: 2022-23 |
| 3           |                  | RajasthanBhilwaraKodukota-Raser-Lulas- Kallyakhera | G4           | REE and associated Neodymium |             |

Annexure-III referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5253 answered on 02.04.2025 regarding 'Import of Rare Earth Metals'

Table: List of projects taken up by GSI on REE/RM and associated minerals from FS 2021-22 to FS 2024-25

| Sl. No.     | State       | District    | Name of Mineral Block / Area / Belt   | UNFC Stage                 | Mineral Commodity                                             |
|-------------|-------------|-------------|---------------------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| FS: 2021-22 | FS: 2021-22 | FS: 2021-22 | FS: 2021-22                           | FS: 2021-22                | FS: 2021-22                                                   |
| 1           | Rajasthan   | Jaipur      | Asalpur, Boraj, Bichun                | G4                         | REE & RM, basemetal                                           |
| 2           | Rajasthan   | Sikar       | South East of Nanagwas                | G3                         | REE & RM, basemetal                                           |
| 3           | Rajasthan   | Sirohi      | Jirawal-Sanpur                        | G4                         | Neodymium, Dysprosium (REE)                                   |
| 4           | Rajasthan   | Bhilwara    | Mahendragarh-Gundli- Bawri            | G4                         | Neodymium, REE                                                |
| 5           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | Sainji Ki Beri-Meli                   | G4                         | REE                                                           |
| 6           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | Indrana-Siwana                        | G4                         | REE                                                           |
| 7           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | WNW of Sukleswar Ka Mandir            | G3                         | REE & RM                                                      |
| 8           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | Nimale Ki Pahari- Dantala             | G4                         | REE & RM                                                      |
| 9           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | Kundal-Dhiran                         | G4                         | REE & RM                                                      |
| 10          | Rajasthan   | Jaisalmer   | Jaisalmer-Pokran                      | G4                         | REE, RM                                                       |
| FS: 2022-23 | FS: 2022-23 | FS: 2022-23 | FS: 2022-23                           | FS: 2022-23                | FS: 2022-23                                                   |
| 1           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | SE of Mawri                           | G3                         | REE                                                           |
| 2           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | north of Kalaur Ka Danta              | G3                         | REE, RM                                                       |
| 3           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | Kalaur Ka Danta                       | G3                         | REE, RM                                                       |
| 4           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | Kaluri-Tapra-Buriwara                 | G4                         | REE                                                           |
| 5           | Rajasthan   | Bhilwara    | Kodukota-Raser-Lulas- Kallyakhera     | G4                         | Neodymium and associated REE                                  |
| 6           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | Bachharau-Dhorimana                   | G4                         | REE                                                           |
| 7           | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | south of Gura Nal                     | G3                         | REE                                                           |
| 8           | Rajasthan   | Sikar       | Ladi Ka Was                           | G3                         | REE, RM, Basemetal                                            |
| 9           | Rajasthan   | Sikar       | Kalakhera                             | G3                         | REE, RM, Basemetal                                            |
| 10          | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | SE of Gugrot                          | G3                         | REE                                                           |
| 11          | Rajasthan   | Jalore      | Ahor-Beria-Ajitpura                   | G4                         | REE, RM                                                       |
| 12          | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | WNW of Sukleswar Ka Mandir            | G3                         | REE, RM                                                       |
| 13          | Rajasthan   | Barmer      | Relon Ki Dhani - TelwaraG4            | Relon Ki Dhani - TelwaraG4 | REE                                                           |
| FS: 2023-24 | FS: 2023-24 | FS: 2023-24 | FS: 2023-24                           | FS: 2023-24                | FS: 2023-24                                                   |
| 1           | Rajasthan   | Alwar       | Dadikar, Harsora and Khairthal        | G4                         | REE, RM, Tungsten, Tin, Niobium, Beryllium, Tantalum, Hafnium |
| 2           | Rajasthan   | Udaipur     | Semari                                | G4                         | REE, Gold, Basemetal                                          |

| 3           | Rajasthan   | Udaipur            | Seriya                          | G4          | REE, Gold, Basemetal   |
|-------------|-------------|--------------------|---------------------------------|-------------|------------------------|
| 4           | Rajasthan   | Sirohi             | Wan-Mochhal-Bhev                | G4          | REE, RM                |
| 5           | Rajasthan   | Udaipur            | Padrara-Sayra                   | G4          | REE                    |
| 6           | Rajasthan   | Ajmer              | Piloda Nagola                   | G4          | REE                    |
| 7           | Rajasthan   | Banswara           | Bhongra-Bargun                  | G4          | Graphite, RM           |
| 8           | Rajasthan   | Barmer             | East of Gugrot                  | G3          | REE                    |
| 9           | Rajasthan   | Jalore&Sirohi      | Jastwantpura                    | G4          | REE                    |
| 10          | Rajasthan   | Sirohi             | Punawa-Ranela-Kooma             | G4          | REE                    |
| 11          | Rajasthan   | Dungarpur          | Barwasa -Lodowal                | G4          | REE, RM                |
| 12          | Rajasthan   | Barmer             | Nakoda                          | G4          | REE, RM                |
| FS: 2024-25 | FS: 2024-25 | FS: 2024-25        | FS: 2024-25                     | FS: 2024-25 | FS: 2024-25            |
| 1           | Rajasthan   | Sikar              | Ladi ka Bas                     | G2          | REE, RM                |
| 2           | Rajasthan   | Dungarpur          | Gara Sialia                     | G4          | REE, RM                |
| 3           | Rajasthan   | Jalore             | Dorda-Ambatri                   | G4          | REE, RM                |
| 4           | Rajasthan   | Tonk               | Kalyanpura-Kakor                | G4          | REE                    |
| 5           | Rajasthan   | Ajmer and Pali     | Ratangarh-Jetgarh               | G4          | RM                     |
| 6           | Rajasthan   | Sirohi             | Malawa-Nagani                   | G4          | REE, RM                |
| 7           | Rajasthan   | Pali and Sirohi    | Chhotila-Badla- Raghunathpura   | G4          | REE, RM                |
| 8           | Rajasthan   | Alwar              | Sibagaon North                  | G3          | Tin, Lithium, RM       |
| 9           | Rajasthan   | Nagaur and Ajmer   | Chinwali-Bhutas                 | G4          | REE, Basemetal         |
| 10          | Rajasthan   | Barmer             | Jhak and Khimpar                | G4          | REE                    |
| 11          | Rajasthan   | Barmer             | Kitpala-Sinli                   | G4          | REE                    |
| 12          | Rajasthan   | Pali               | Thandi Beri                     | G4          | RM                     |
| 13          | Rajasthan   | Barmer and Jodhpur | Patodi-Thob                     | G4          | REE                    |
| 14          | Rajasthan   | Sirohi             | Rewakakri-Moras- UparlaSavela   | G4          | RM                     |
| 15          | Rajasthan   | Sirohi and Pali    | Malnu-Velar-Chotila ki Bhagli   | G4          | RM                     |
| 16          | Rajasthan   | Sirohi             | Isra Darbar Khera Chhota-Dhanta | G4          | RM                     |