The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a unit of DAE, is actively exploring and enhancing rare earth group elements in coastal and inland areas across India. The government disclosed that as of January 28, 2026, AMD has identified 136 deposits of Beach Sand Minerals, containing 13.15 million tonnes of monazite in various regions like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and others.
Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, revealed that these deposits also hold around 7.23 million tonnes of in-situ Rare Earth Oxide resources. Additionally, there are three deposits of rare-earth minerals found in hard rock terrains in Rajasthan and Gujarat, estimating 1.29 million tonnes of in-situ Rare Earth Oxide resources.
Monazite, the rare earth-bearing ore, is regulated by the government due to its association with radioactive elements like uranium and thorium. India is among the select few countries globally equipped with the necessary infrastructure and skilled workforce for rare earth sector operations.
Despite possessing adequate rare-earth resources and extraction capabilities, commercial mining and processing have been constrained by technology limitations and the absence of downstream industries in the value chain. To address this, the Union Cabinet sanctioned a scheme to boost manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets with a budget of Rs. 7,280 crore to establish integrated manufacturing in India.
