West Bengal Makes Strategic Entry into India’s Rare Earth Map as GSI Conducts Advanced Exploration in Purulia
In a landmark development poised to reshape India’s critical minerals landscape, West Bengal is on track to join the elite group of Indian states engaged in rare earth mining, with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) conducting advanced-stage exploration in the Purulia district, a senior government official confirmed on Friday.
#RareEarthIndia #WestBengalMining
Although the identified rare earth element (REE) deposits in Purulia are relatively modest in scale compared to global reserves, the move is being hailed as strategically vital.
It marks a key step in India’s ongoing push to reduce its dependency on foreign imports of critical minerals—especially those required for high-tech industries such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy systems, advanced electronics, and defence applications.
#CriticalMinerals #EVRevolution
Speaking at the 3rd edition of the Minerals and Mining Conclave, organised by ASSOCHAM, GSI Director General Asit Saha revealed that G2-level (advanced) exploration is currently underway in two critical mineral-rich blocks: one located in Karbi Anglong district in Assam, and the other in Purulia, West Bengal.
#GSIExploration #PuruliaRareEarth
“The work is progressing steadily, and we expect these blocks to be ready for auction within a year,” said Saha. He clarified that the G2 stage of mineral exploration is an advanced phase that offers a high degree of geological confidence and resource estimation, serving as a precursor to commercial exploitation and auction.
Upon conclusion, the exploration results will be formally submitted to the state mines departments and the Union Ministry of Mines for further evaluation and action.
#G2Exploration #MiningIndia
While specific rare earth elements have not yet been officially disclosed in these findings, Saha explained that such deposits usually contain a complex “basket” of 14 to 17 different REEs, making extraction and processing technologically demanding.
Nonetheless, their strategic value—particularly in sectors such as clean energy, EV motors, and electronics—cannot be overstated.
Saha further highlighted another major discovery in the lower Himalayan region, where significant vanadium deposits have been located. Vanadium is a critical mineral used primarily in energy storage systems (like vanadium redox flow batteries) and high-strength alloys, particularly in the aerospace and steel industries.
#VanadiumIndia #EnergyStorage
According to Saha, nearly half of all early-stage mineral exploration projects underway in India today are focused on rare earth elements, underscoring their growing geopolitical and industrial significance.
However, despite growing interest, Saha acknowledged that the journey from discovery to full-scale mining is fraught with hurdles, including land acquisition delays, environmental clearance processes, and limited private sector participation.
Meanwhile, in a significant policy announcement, Union Minister for Heavy Industries, H D Kumaraswamy, stated on Friday that the central government will soon unveil a ₹1,345 crore scheme aimed at accelerating domestic manufacturing of rare earth magnets.
These magnets are crucial components used in electric motors, wind turbines, and defence systems, and their domestic production would represent a strategic leap forward for India.
#RareEarthMagnets #MakeInIndia
India is also advancing efforts to secure its lithium supply chain, another essential element in the global transition to green energy.
Government officials revealed that 20 lithium exploration projects are currently being pursued across four to five states, with the aim of building domestic capacity and reducing reliance on lithium imports.
#LithiumExploration #GreenEnergyIndia
