Bhubaneswar: As India accelerates efforts to secure critical mineral supplies, Odisha has emerged as one of the key states in the country’s expanding rare-earth mineral exploration and value-chain development strategy, the government informed Parliament.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) is actively carrying out exploration for rare-earth group elements (REEs) across coastal and inland placer sands as well as hard rock terrains.
As of January 28, 2026, AMD has identified 136 beach sand mineral deposits containing around 13.15 million tonnes of monazite across states including Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. These deposits together hold an estimated 7.23 million tonnes of rare-earth oxide (REO) resources, placing India among countries with significant untapped potential in critical minerals.
The minister also noted that additional rare-earth potential exists in hard rock deposits in Rajasthan and Gujarat, further strengthening India’s domestic resource base.
To fast-track development, the government has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, enabling auctioning of critical mineral blocks. This reform is complemented by the National Critical Mineral Mission, which aims to strengthen the entire value chain—from exploration and mining to processing and manufacturing.
In a major downstream push, the Centre has also approved a ₹7,280-crore scheme for rare-earth permanent magnets, a critical component for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, electronics, and defence technologies. The scheme is expected to reduce import dependence and enhance India’s strategic self-reliance, particularly amid global supply-chain vulnerabilities.
Officials said Odisha’s coastal mineral resources and strategic location position the state as a crucial hub in India’s rare-earth ambitions, aligning with the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat and clean-energy transition goals.
-OdishaAge
