Context:
In 2023, the Ministry of Mines identified 30 critical minerals vital for India’s economic growth and security. The report noted complete import dependency for 10 minerals, with China dominating the critical minerals sector.
Definition:
Critical minerals are those essential for economic development and national security. The lack of availability of these minerals or even the concentration of existence, extraction, or processing of these minerals in a few geographical locations may lead to supply chain vulnerability and disruption.
Factors leading to China’s dominance in critical minerals:
Resource Base and Reserves: China has vast reserves of critical minerals like rare earth elements (REE), lithium, and graphite, ensuring a strong supply base.
Processing Capabilities: Controls 87% of rare earth processing, 58% of lithium refining, and 68% of silicon processing, dominating global supply chains.
Strategic Investments: Heavy investments in domestic and overseas mining projects to secure mineral assets globally.
Vertical Integration: Developed end-to-end infrastructure from mining to refining, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness in production.
Distribution of Critical Minerals
In India
Lithium: Found in Jammu & Kashmir (5.9 million tonnes).
Rare Earth Elements (REE): Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
Graphite: Arunachal Pradesh (largest deposit in India).
Cobalt: Found in Odisha and Jharkhand.
Tungsten: Deposits in Rajasthan and Karnataka.
In the World
China: Dominates lithium, graphite, and REE processing (controls 87% of rare earth processing).
Australia: Major producer of lithium and REE.
DRC: Largest cobalt reserves (60% of global output).
USA: Significant REE mining but lacks refining capabilities.
South America: Lithium Triangle (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia)
What are Rare Earth Metals?
They are a set of seventeen metallic elements. These include the fifteen lanthanides on the periodic table, as well as scandium and yttrium, which show similar physical and chemical properties to the lanthanides.
The 17 Rare Earths are
- cerium (Ce),
- dysprosium (Dy),
- erbium (Er),
- europium (Eu),
- gadolinium (Gd),
- holmium (Ho),
- lanthanum (La),
- lutetium (Lu),
- neodymium (Nd),
- praseodymium (Pr),
- promethium (Pm),
- samarium (Sm),
- scandium (Sc),
- terbium (Tb),
- thulium (Tm),
- ytterbium (Yb), and
- yttrium (Y)
Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called ‘rare earth metals’. Why? (2012)
- China, the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on its exports.
- Other than China, Australia, Canada, and Chile, these elements are not found in any country.
- Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is a growing demand for these elements.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Metals
What percentage of rare earth processing is controlled by China?
(a) 68%
(b) 87%
(c) 58%
(d) 75%
Which state in India is known to have the largest deposit of graphite?
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Jharkhand
(c) Odisha
(d) Arunachal Pradesh
What is the total number of elements categorized as rare earth metals?
(a) 15
(b) 17
(c) 19
(d) 21
Which country forms the “Lithium Triangle” along with Argentina and Bolivia?
(a) Chile
(b) Brazil
(c) Peru
(d) Venezuela
Why are rare earth metals considered critical for modern technology?
(a) They are abundant in nature.
(b) They are required for the manufacture of electronic items.
(c) They are the only metals used in building infrastructure.
(d) They are non-essential for economic development.
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