Rare earth elements: Kerala among 4 states with promising reserves in GSI’s new exploration push

New Delhi: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is ramping up its exploration efforts for critical and strategic minerals, with a notable focus on states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Odisha. These states are pivotal due to their significant reserves of rare earth elements and other vital minerals, crucial for industries such as lithium-ion batteries, semiconductor technology, and computing. This information was revealed to the Parliament on Monday.

Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha that the number of exploration projects for these minerals has increased from 118 in 2021-22 to 196 in 2024-25. While India has some mining and production capabilities, it largely relies on imports to meet its demand for critical metals.

There are 54 mining leases for critical minerals like graphite, rock phosphate, and tin ore within the country, Reddy stated.

He added that the deposits' significance and financial viability vary as they are dispersed across different regions with differing levels of accessibility and extraction feasibility.

Lithium reserves have been identified in Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir. Cobalt and nickel are generally found in association with copper ores, with small deposits existing in Odisha and Jharkhand. However, the reserves are relatively modest.

India also boasts significant reserves of rare earth elements in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, and Kerala, with the monazite sands in Kerala being particularly rich in these elements. Additionally, substantial reserves of high-quality graphite are found in Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu.

Minister Reddy highlighted the projected annual requirement of critical minerals by 2030, which includes 3,878 tonnes of cobalt, 13,671 tonnes of lithium, 17,492 tonnes of nickel, and 766 tonnes of neodymium.

The GSI is focused on exploring areas with potential for critical and strategic minerals, with a particular emphasis on increasing the number of exploration projects nationwide. IANS