Guwahati, May 22: In a significant discovery that can potentially reshape the clean energy, defense and electronics sectors of India, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has estimated 28.64 million tonnes of Rare Earth Element (REE) resource at the Jashora alkaline complex of Assam, while indications from the Samchampi of Karbi Anglong were found to be promising too.
Strategic REEs that reportedly contain minerals like Neodymium, Praseodymium, Dysprosium and Yttrium have been found in the deposits. These minerals are crucial to the production of:
Electric vehicle motors
Wind turbines
Defence systems
Advanced electronics
High-performance magnets and semiconductors
According to GSI data, parts of the deposits in Assam have REE concentration in the range of 1000-5000 ppm, and it also has allied strategic minerals like Niobium and Yttrium associated with it.
This discovery becomes noteworthy as India is still significantly dependent on imports (especially from China) for processed rare earth supply chains and rare earth magnets required for its high-tech manufacturing and green technology needs.
These results are a part of a broader mineral exploration effort that has been undertaken across the Northeast. Reports say GSI has already completed more than 200 exploration projects and several strategic mineral blocks across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been identified.
Although the deposits in Assam have not yet passed the exploration and assessment stage, it is said that the discovery has the potential to enhance India’s bid towards critical mineral independence and make the Northeast a new hub of strategic resources. For a region long known for its tea, oil and natural gas, this rare earth narrative has the potential to usher in a new era of its economy.
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