The Department of Atomic Energy verifies 1,11,845 tonnes of rare earth minerals in Balotra, Rajasthan, under National Critical Mineral Mission.
Geological Survey of India intensifies exploration, initiating 195 projects in FY 2024-25, with 35 in Rajasthan for strategic minerals.
China controls 85–90% of global rare earths; India’s discovery could be instrumental in strengthening EV, defense and domestic technology sectors.
The existence of rare minerals in the Sivana Hills of Balotra was officially verified recently. This development was disclosed in Parliament following an inquiry by Jaipur Rural MP Rao Rajendra Singh, according to Bhaskar English.
In response, Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, stated that the Department of Atomic Energy has confirmed the presence of 1,11,845 tonnes of Rare Earth Element Oxide (REO) in Balotara (earstwhile Barmer) District. The discovery is being explored under the National Critical Mineral Mission.
Surge in Mineral Exploration
Under the Mission, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has prioritised and intensified its exploration activities for critical and strategic minerals across the country including Rajasthan, with an aim to find out potential mineralised locales as well as to establish more resources for these minerals.
Rajasthan is currently witnessing a surge in mineral exploration. During the financial year 2024-25, GSI initiated 195 exploration projects including 35 projects in Rajasthan, to assess the mineral potential of strategic and critical minerals. Recent assessments have identified the Balotra district of Rajasthan, particularly in Bhati Khera, Siwana tehsil, as one of the key sites for rare earth deposits. The Department of Atomic Energy has verified the findings, further validating the region’s mineral potential.
Systematic Exploration Underway
These efforts stem from earlier observations, as traces of rare earth minerals in the Sivana region of Barmer district were initially identified more than a decade ago. Formal research and exploration commenced in 2021-22, advancing through G-4 (initial exploration) and G-3 (next-stage resource mobilisation). These efforts are expected to pave the way for deeper exploration and extraction in the future.
The significance of this discovery is amplified by the global rare earth market, where China currently controls around 85-90% of production, processing, and exports.
This dominance extends across production, processing and export of rare earth elements, making other countries, including India dependent on Chinese supplies for critical minerals used in electric vehicles (EVs), and defense technology.
