IBM: Maha has 41% rare earth element resources in India

Nagpur: As rare earth elements (REEs) are a buzzword these days, the latest data compiled by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) shows that Maharashtra has the highest resources of the new-age mineral. REEs include 17 types of specialty metas and have a major use in the defence manufacturing sector, leading to sudden global focus.Data compiled by the Nagpur-headquartered mining sector regulator, shows that India has over 29 lakh tons of estimated REE resources. Of this, over 12 lakh tons, which comes to 41% of the country's total resource, lie in Maharashtra, as per the data. Gujarat has the second-highest resources at 11 lakh tons after Maharashtra.
In Vidarbha, public sector mining company, Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), is exploring RREs in the overburden — earth dug out for mining coal. Samples have been sent to the non-ferrous metals technology development centre (NFTDC) at Hyderabad. WCL plans to issue tenders for exploration in other mines. The govt too is stressing on exploration of REEs in the overburden and mining wastes. Sources say a sizable part of resources mentioned in IBM data are from overburden.Coal India Limited has also taken up an exclusive block near Ramtek for REE exploration. IBM data, which was submitted before a parliamentary committee recently, is based on inputs gathered from different agencies like Geological Survey of India (GSI), Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) and directorates of mining and geology, said sources.According to IBM data, there are REE resources in 11 states, including the north-east. The lowest find is in Jharkhand, which is otherwise mineral rich.The data is bifurcated as REE ore and REE. The former includes the earth and waste rock from where rare earths are to be extracted. The country has over 58 crore tons of REE, but extraction is yet to begin. None of it has been converted into a mining block. Once proven into a mineable quantity, the resources can be termed as reserves.