KOLKATA, October 8 — The Geological Survey of India (GSI) on Thursday announced significant geological discoveries of critical Rare Earth Elements (REE)—notably Neodymium, Dysprosium, Praseodymium, and Lanthanum—following preliminary G3 exploration surveys across the Baramulla district of Jammu & Kashmir and Mandya district of Karnataka.
According to baseline geological assessment reports submitted to the Ministry of Mines, the identified ore bodies hold an estimated 4.2 million tonnes of mineralized pegmatite and carbonatite rocks exhibiting commercially viable concentrations of both Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) and high-value Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE). These elements serve as irreplaceable feedstocks in high-coercivity permanent neodymium magnets (NdFeB), electric vehicle traction drives, offshore wind turbines, and airborne radar assemblies.
The Ministry of Mines confirmed that the newly verified blocks will undergo detailed G2-level diamond core drilling before incorporation into forthcoming tranches of the National Critical Mineral Auction regime. The discoveries substantially strengthen India's raw material security, advancing the objectives of the National Critical Minerals Mission and reducing downstream dependence on single-origin global supply chains.
The classification of Rare Earth Elements (15 lanthanides plus Scandium and Yttrium), the institutional mandate of the Geological Survey of India (established in 1851), the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act 2023 (MMDR Act delisting atomic minerals for commercial mining), and critical mineral supply security are essential syllabus components across UPSC Civil Services (GS-I: Resource Geography; GS-III: Industrial Growth & Tech). Candidates should study India's Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) engagements and permanent magnet supply chain dynamics.