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Rajasthan has executed India's first exploration licence for Rare Earth Elements (REE), a milestone for the country's critical-mineral security.
The licence covers about 207.63 sq km in the Navatala-Devigarh region of Rajasthan.
Geological studies indicate the presence of elements such as Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium and Neodymium.
Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI) was the successful bidder for the block.
The move supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat goal of reducing India's dependence on rare-earth imports.
Rare Earth Elements are a group of 17 metals (the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium) essential for high-tech and clean-energy products — magnets in electric-vehicle motors and wind turbines, smartphones, defence systems and more. They are not always geologically 'rare', but economically viable deposits are uncommon and processing is concentrated in a few countries, especially China.
Simple Analogy: REEs are like the vitamins of modern technology — needed only in small amounts, but nothing high-tech works well without them.
GS Paper III > Economy > Resources & Critical Minerals
General Awareness > Economy & Geography
Minerals essential for the economy and national security whose supply may be at risk