India Initiates Nationwide Campaign to Extract Rare Earth Elements from Mining Waste
India has embarked on a comprehensive nationwide initiative to extract rare earth elements (REEs) from mining waste, following the discovery of substantial quantities of these critical minerals in coal mine dumps. As of this month, all mining sectors in the country, including coal, mineral, and petroleum, are required to test overburden, tailings, and various mining rejects for critical minerals.
This extensive effort is a result of successful studies conducted at the Sathupalli and Ramagundam open-cast coal mines in Telangana, where tests by the Non-ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC) revealed 1 kilogram of scandium and strontium in every 15 tonnes of clay. The extraction of these valuable elements from the mines is set to commence in August, according to N. Balram, Chairman and Managing Director of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).
Scandium is integral to the production of aerospace components, fuel cells, and high-performance sports equipment, while strontium is utilized in alloys, ferrite magnets, vacuum systems, medical applications, and even cathode-ray tubes. The government's initiative focuses on enhancing resource utilization by transforming previously overlooked mining waste into strategic assets.
This mandate is part of the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), India's strategic plan aimed at reducing import dependency and boosting domestic supply of essential minerals for electronics, defense, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The exploration is being expanded beyond traditional mineral-rich areas to include all coal mines and even waste byproducts from the petroleum sector, as confirmed by government sources. The government has also required leaseholders of minor minerals to report any associated critical minerals as part of its reforms slated for early 2025.
This initiative addresses growing concerns over global supply chain vulnerabilities. With China halting REE exports, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal recently described this development as a "wake-up call" for the international community. India is now seeking alternative sourcing options in countries such as Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
By unlocking the value of waste and diversifying its sourcing strategies, India aims to secure its position in the global pursuit of critical mineral independence.
