Lok Sabha Question No. 469 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Exploration and Value Addition of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in Odisha
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.469

ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## EXPLORATION AND VALUE ADDITION OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS (REEs) IN ODISHA

469. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  have  undertaken  or  sanctioned  any  new  geological surveys or exploration activities  for  Rare  Earth  Elements  (REEs) and other critical minerals in Odisha during the last three financial years; (b) if so, the details thereof, including locations identified, progress made and findings from such exploration; (c)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  policy  or  plan  to  promote  value addition and local processing of critical minerals and REEs in Odisha before export and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the total funds allocated and utilized for mineral exploration and value addition in
- Odisha during the last three financial years?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Yes. During the last three field seasons i.e. 2022-23 to 2024-25, Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, has taken up 32 mineral exploration projects on various critical minerals in Odisha. Further, National Mineral  Exploration  Trust  (NMET),  Ministry  of  Mines  has  also  funded  19  mineral exploration projects on various critical minerals, including REE, in Odisha from 202223 to 2024-25. The details in respect of both GSI and NMET are given at Annexure-I.

The  details  of  the  resources  established  and  augmented  by  GSI  since  MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 and the details of the outcomes of the projects under NMET funding in Odisha are given in Annexure II.

(c): The Government launched National Critical Mineral Mission in January, 2025 with an aim to secure a long-term sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthen country's critical  mineral  value  chains  encompassing  all  stages  from  mineral exploration  and  mining  to  beneficiation,  processing  and  recovery  from  end-of-life products. The Ministry of Mines under its S&T programme also funds Research and Development projects in critical and strategic minerals processing.

(d): The year- wise details of funds sanctioned and expenditure incurred during the last  three  field  seasons  i.e.  2022-23,  2023-24  and  2024-25  by  GSI  for  mineral exploration activities in Odisha are as follows:

(Fig. in Lakhs)

| Field Season year   |   No. of Mineral exploration projects |   Sanctioned Amount |   Field expenditure incurred |
|---------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|------------------------------|
| 2022-23             |                                    24 |              119.64 |                       119.3  |
| 2023-24             |                                    30 |              107.68 |                       107.67 |
| 2024-25             |                                    36 |              124.92 |                       124.88 |
| Total               |                                   120 |              352.24 |                       351.85 |

Further, the year-wise approved cost of NMET funded projects and the amount utilized by the exploration agencies in Odisha during 2022-23 to 2024-25 is as follows:

(Fig. in Crores)

| Financial year   |   No. of Mineral exploration projects |   Sanctioned Amount |   Utilised Amount |
|------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
| 2022-23          |                                     8 |               13.07 |              6.44 |
| 2023-24          |                                     5 |                9.37 |              6.67 |
| 2024-25          |                                     6 |               10.53 |              4.07 |
| Total            |                                    19 |               32.97 |             17.18 |

*****

## Annexure-I

## The details of mineral exploration items taken up on critical and strategic minerals by GSI in Odisha during field seasons 2022-23 to 2024-25

|   Sl No. | District                  | Name of Mineral Block / Area/ Belt         | UNFC Stage   | Mineral Commodity        |
|----------|---------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------|--------------------------|
|        1 | Sundargarh                | Garjanjor                                  | G3           | Phosphorite, REE         |
|        2 | Mayurbhanj                | Naphri, Balrampur                          | G4           | Nickel, Cobalt, Chromium |
|        3 | Boudh and Sonepur         | Gabjor                                     | G4           | REE, RM                  |
|        4 | Nayagarh                  | Tumandi                                    | G3           | Graphite                 |
|        5 | Angul                     | Thakurgarh-Mindol                          | G4           | Graphite                 |
|        6 | Sundargarh and Jharsuguda | Shahasapur-Chuakani                        | G4           | Phosphorite              |
|        7 | Kalahandi                 | Pengsur                                    | G4           | Graphite                 |
|        8 | Nayagarh                  | Notara-Baulasahi                           | G4           | REE, RM                  |
|        9 | Deogarh                   | western extension of Adash Block           | G3           | Graphite                 |
|       10 | Nayagarh                  | Tumandi East                               | G3           | Graphite                 |
|       11 | Nayagarh                  | Tumandi West                               | G3           | Graphite                 |
|       12 | Nayagarh                  | Khuntapada-Arkhapal                        | G3           | REE, RM                  |
|       13 | Angul                     | Debinagar                                  | G4           | REE                      |
|       14 | Kalahandi                 | Dangarigan                                 | G4           | Graphite                 |
|       15 | Sundargarh                | Roxy                                       | G4           | Nickel, PGE              |
|       16 | Ganjam                    | Kumbharajholi-Borada                       | G4           | REE, RM                  |
|       17 | Nayagarh                  | Tumandi - B                                | G2           | Graphite                 |
|       18 | Nayagarh                  | Koriekahania- Baulasahi- Badbhuin          | G3           | REE, RM                  |
|       19 | Angul                     | Mindol-Badabar                             | G3           | Graphite                 |
|       20 | Kalahandi                 | Ranikot                                    | G3           | Graphite                 |
|       21 | Nuapada                   | Bhela-Babupalli-Udaybandh                  | G4           | REE, RM, PGE             |
|       22 | Sambalpur and Deogarh     | Barhjharan-Rairatnapur                     | G4           | Lithium, RM              |
|       23 | Jharsuguda                | Kholdipa- Ghichamura                       | G4           | REE, RM                  |
|       24 | Boudh                     | Palsagora-Pindapadar                       | G4           | REE, RM                  |
|       25 | Koraput                   | Dammaparha-Mathili                         | G4           | Tin, REE                 |
|       26 | Mayurbhanj                | Balarampur and Argalabindha                | G4           | Vanadium, Titanium       |
|       27 | Nayagarh                  | Dalipadar, Kaiandiha, Poibadi & Rudhapadar | G4           | Graphite                 |
|       28 | Kandhamal                 | Tumudibandha                               | G4           | Graphite                 |
|       29 | Jajpur                    | Kansa- Kumardah                            | G3           | Nickel                   |
|       30 | Angul                     | Debinagar east                             | G4           | REE                      |
|       31 | Mayurbhanj                | Bijatala-Sulaipat                          | G4           | Nickel, PGE, Gold        |
|       32 | Nuapada                   | Rajna - Mahulpadar                         | G4           | REE, RM, PGE             |

Details of NMET funded 19 mineral exploration projects on various critical minerals, including REE, in Odisha during 2022-23 to 2024-25.

|   S. No. | District              | Name of Mineral Block/ Area/ Belt   | UNFC Stage   | Mineral Commodity             |
|----------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------|-------------------------------|
|        1 | Balangir              | Salepali                            | G3           | Graphite                      |
|        2 | Kalahandi             | Thapen and Bazargarh                | G4           | Graphite                      |
|        3 | Kalahandi             | Lamer Panga                         | G4           | Graphite                      |
|        4 | Kalahandi             | Lamer Panga Block A                 | G3           | Graphite                      |
|        5 | Kalahandi             | Lamer Panga Block B                 | G3           | Graphite                      |
|        6 | Sundergarh            | Chandiposh                          | G4           | PGE, Chromium, Nickel, Cobalt |
|        7 | Dhenkanal             | Bandhabhun                          | G3           | Graphite                      |
|        8 | Rayagada              | Naringapanga (South & West)         | G3           | Graphite                      |
|        9 | Balangir              | Larambha                            | G3           | Manganese & Graphite          |
|       10 | Balangir              | Kanaital                            | G3           | Manganese & Graphite          |
|       11 | Rayagada              | Darukona                            | G4           | Graphite                      |
|       12 | Rayagada              | Kanapulisi                          | G4           | Graphite                      |
|       13 | Balangir              | Kharatbahal                         | G3           | Managenese and graphite       |
|       14 | Balangir and Nuapada, | Chormunda                           | G3           | Graphite                      |
|       15 | Balangir and Bargarh  | Temrimal                            | G3           | Graphite                      |
|       16 | Balangir              | Patimal                             | G3           | Graphite                      |
|       17 | Balangir              | Khairmal                            | G4           | Graphite                      |
|       18 | Balangir              | Dhorukhaman                         | G4           | Graphite                      |
|       19 | Rayagada              | Dumburuneli                         | G4           | Graphite                      |

## Annexure-II

## Mineral resource augmented by GSI in Odisha since MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 for various critical mineral commodities

|   Sl. No. | District Field Season    | Commodity                                    | Block Name                 | UNFC Stage   | Resource in Million Tonne (MT)            | Grade                                                                                                 |
|-----------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------|--------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Deogarh                  | 2018-19Copper, Nickel, Graphite, Gold Silver | Adash                      | G2           | 0.1 MT nickel ore 0.49 MT graphite ore    | Nickel ore 0.10 %Ni (at 0.10% Ni cut off) Graphite ore 5.07% FC (at 3.0% FC Cut off)                  |
|         2 | Mayurbhanj2019-20Copper, | nickel                                       | Dudhiasol East             | G2           | 2.05 MT nickel ore                        | 0.19%Ni (at 0.1% cut off)                                                                             |
|         3 | Deogarh                  | 2019-20Copper, graphite                      | Rampali                    | G2           | 0.5 MT graphite ore                       | 7.59 %FC (at 7.0% FC cut-off)                                                                         |
|         4 | Balangir                 | 2021-23Manganese, graphite, vanadium         | Dandapani                  | G2           | 2.03 MT graphite ore 0.37 MT vanadium ore | Graphite ore 2.99% FC (at 2% cut-off) Vanadium ore 615.33 ppm (at 500ppm cut-off)                     |
|         5 | Balangir                 | 2021-23Manganese, graphite                   | Uchhabapalli- Thakurpalli  | G2           | 0.53 MT graphite ore                      | 3.39% FC                                                                                              |
|         6 | Nayagarh                 | 2021-23Graphite                              | Daspalla (Tumandi Village) | G3           | 3.838 graphite ore 750kg vanadium ore     | Graphite ore 3.87% FC avg. grade (at 2% FC cut- off) Vanadium ore 750 kg (at 310.98 ppm V avg. grade) |

## Details of the outcomes of the projects through NMET funding in Odisha

<!-- image -->

|   S. No. | District   | Financial Year   | Commodity            | Block Name           | UNFC Stage   | Resource in Million Tone (MT)                          | Grade                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------|------------|------------------|----------------------|----------------------|--------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Balangir   | 2022-23          | Graphite & Manganese | Salepali             | G3           | 0.153 million tonnes net inferred resource of graphite | Average grade of 2.21% FC at 2% FC cut-off                                                                                                                                     |
|        2 | Kalahandi  | 2022-23          | Graphite             | Thapen and Bazargarh | G4           | 0.125 million tonnes                                   | 0.044 million tonnes resource (UNFC- 334) estimated with average 4.65% FC at 2% cut off FC. 0.081 million tonnes of very low-grade graphite (01- 02% FC) with average 1.37% FC |
|        3 | Kalahandi  | 2022-23          | Graphite             | Lamer Panga          | G4           | 2.034 million tonnes                                   | 1.508 million tonnes (02- 05% FC), 0.415 million tonnes (05- 10% FC) and 0.109 million tonnes (above 10% FC)                                                                   |
|        4 | Kalahandi  | 2022-23          | Graphite             | Lamer Panga Block A  | G3           | 3.098 million tonnes                                   | Cross Sectional Area method with an average of 6.76 %FCat 2% cut off FC in the Lamer- Panga block- A                                                                           |
|        5 | Kalahandi  | 2022-23          | Graphite             | Lamer Panga Block B  | G3           | 1.034 million tonnes                                   | 0.787 million tonnes (02- 05% FC), 0.471 million                                                                                                                               |

<!-- image -->

|    |                 |         |                      |            |    |                                                                                           | tonnes (05- 10% FC) and 0.045 million tonnes (above 10% FC) in Cross Sectional Area method.                                                                                  |
|----|-----------------|---------|----------------------|------------|----|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  6 | Balangir        | 2023-24 | Manganese & Graphite | Larambha   | G3 | Resource of manganese is 0.36 million tonnes Resource of graphite is 0.64 million tonnes. | Average grade of 16.07% Mn at 10% Mn threshold value. Average grade of 6.05% FC at 2% FC threshold                                                                           |
|  7 | Balangir        | 2023-24 | Manganese & Graphite | Kanaital   | G3 | Resource of manganese is 0.28 million tonnes Resource of graphite is 4.28 million tonnes. | value. manganese ore with an average grade of 15.35% Mn at 10% Mn threshold value. graphite ore resource with an average grade of 5.40% FC at 2% FC threshold value. The F.C |
|  8 | Rayagada2023-24 |         | Graphite             | Kanapulisi | G4 | 0.176 million tonnes                                                                      | values ranges from 0.11% to 10.65%. As cut off 2% F.C was considered for resource estimation of graphite.                                                                    |

| 9   | Balangir   | 2023-24   | Manganese & Graphite   | Bharatbahal   | G3   | Resource of graphite is 0.59 million tonnes   | average grade of 4.10% FC at 2% FC threshold value   |
|-----|------------|-----------|------------------------|---------------|------|-----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|