Indian Companies Relocate to Reduce Dependence on China for Rare Earth Minerals

India Seeks to Reduce Dependence on China for Rare Earths

Indian industrial groups Reliance, Vedanta, and Adani have expressed interest in developing facilities to process Andhra Pradesh's significant reserves of rare-earth minerals, according to sources with knowledge of the matter. The three companies are among about 10 that have shown interest in setting up rare earth facilities in the southern state.

Andhra Pradesh holds 211 million metric tons of beach sand mineral resources, including rare earths, across 16 identified coastal deposits, according to a draft document. The state is among four identified in February's federal budget for the development of rare earth "corridors" covering mining, processing, and magnet production. This initiative follows New Delhi's approval in November of a 73 billion rupee programme to support rare earth magnet manufacturing.