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New Delhi/Singrauli:
Discovery of significant amount of rare earth elements in Singrauli coalfield of Madhya Pradesh is being considered a historic achievement towards India's energy and technological self-sufficiency. In Parliament on Monday, Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy confirmed the discovery and said that Coal India Limited is working on research projects related to the extraction and use of these elements.
What are rare earth elements?
- Rare Earth Elements (REE) include elements like scandium, yttrium, and lanthanides, which are essential in many modern technologies like -
- electric vehicles,
- clean energy,
- high-tech electronics (such as mobile, TV, camera),
- defense equipment. Without their presence, the imagination of today's digital and green economy is incomplete.
How was the discovery made?
Microscopic analysis of Gondwana rocks (coal, clay, shale, sandstone) by Coal India revealed that REE are present in these samples on an average of 250 ppm (coal) and up to 400 ppm (non-coal), which is being considered as a potential reserve. However, work is still going on on technological advancement and cost feasibility for their economic exploitation.
Scientific and industrial importance
The world's supply of REE is dependent on China, which controls about 90% of global production. Their discovery in India is extremely important to make electronics, renewable energy, and defense sectors self-reliant. Domestic production will reduce import dependence, give new impetus to the industry and strengthen national security.
New path of technology and research
For the development of indigenous technology in the country, Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has signed agreements with institutions like IMMT Bhubaneswar, NFTDC Hyderabad, IIT Hyderabad. Their purpose is to -
- Purify rare elements from coal and non-coal sources,
- Develop extraction technology by physical methods and ion-exchange resins.
- Efforts have also been initiated by the Central Government to exploit critical minerals in the coal mines of the north-eastern states.
Ecology and future challenges
Excavation and extraction are environmentally sensitive tasks. The partner institutes will ensure that the production process remains modern and environmentally friendly, so that there is no negative impact on the ecology of the region.
With this discovery in Singrauli, India can prepare to become an important player in the global REE supply chain. Import dependence will be reduced, green energy and high-tech manufacturing industries will get a new impetus, and the country will come closer to the dream of technological self-reliance.
(Ground report from Singrauli, with special correspondent)