Critical Minerals and Rare Earths
Semiconductors and advanced electronics depend on a range of critical minerals and rare earth elements (REEs) including gallium, germanium, silicon, cobalt, lithium, and various lanthanides. China currently dominates the global supply of many of these materials, controlling approximately 60-70% of rare earth mining and over 85% of rare earth processing.
- India has significant reserves of rare earths (approximately 6.9 million tonnes, the world's fifth-largest), primarily in coastal sands of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
- Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), a government entity, is the primary domestic producer but operates at limited scale.
- The Critical Minerals Mission, announced in Union Budget 2024-25, aims to secure supply chains for 30 critical minerals through domestic exploration, overseas acquisitions, and recycling.
- Australia, a Pax Silica member, is a major alternative source of rare earths, lithium, and cobalt.
● Tracked since February 20, 2026 · last seen May 28, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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