UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 20 March 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs Rare Earths: Indispensable to Modern Tech, A Geopolitical Quandary

Rare Earths: Indispensable to Modern Tech, A Geopolitical Quandary

Why in News:

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are 17 critical metals essential for electronics, renewable energy, defence, and high-tech industries, with India holding the fifth-largest global reserves but facing extraction and processing challenges.

Introduction

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar elements comprising 15 lanthanides along with scandium and yttrium. Despite being moderately abundant in the Earth’s crust, their economic extraction is challenging due to their low concentration in ores. REEs play a crucial role in high-tech industries, renewable energy, defence, and electronics, making them strategically significant for global economies.

Types and Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements

Classification of REEs: REEs are categorized into two groups based on their atomic numbers and chemical properties:

- Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs) (Atomic Numbers 57-63):
  - Examples: Lanthanum (La), Cerium (Ce), Praseodymium (Pr), Neodymium (Nd), Promethium (Pm), Samarium (Sm), Europium (Eu)
  - More abundant and easier to extract
- Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs) (Atomic Numbers 64-71):
  - Examples: Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Dysprosium (Dy), Holmium (Ho), Erbium (Er), Thulium (Tm), Ytterbium (Yb), Lutetium (Lu)
  - Scarcer but critical for advanced technologies
- Scandium (Sc) and Yttrium (Y):
  - Classified with HREEs due to similar chemical and physical properties
Key Properties:
- High density, high melting points, and excellent thermal conductivity
- Strong magnetic, catalytic, and luminescent properties
- Trivalent charge (+3) and similar ionic radii, leading to comparable chemical behavior
Principal Sources of REEs:
- Monazite (Phosphate-based, contains thorium & uranium) – Found in India’s coastal sands
- Bastnaesite (Fluorocarbonate) – Major source in China & USA
- Xenotime (Yttrium Phosphate) – Found in mineral sand deposits
- Loparite (Titanate-based, found in igneous rocks)

Global Distribution and India's Position

China holds the largest reserves (37%) and dominates REE production (~90% of global supply).
India ranks fifth globally in REE resources, with deposits mainly found in monazite-rich beach sands of Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
Other major reserve holders include Brazil (18%), Vietnam (18%), and Russia (10%).

Strategic Importance and Applications of REEs

Electronics & High-Tech Devices
- Used in smartphones, laptops, hard disks, cameras, and LED displays
- Lanthanum contributes to 50% of digital camera lenses
- Erbium is essential for fiber-optic communication
Green Technologies
- Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets for wind turbines and electric vehicles (EVs)
- Lanthanum-based alloys in Nickel-metal hydride batteries used in hybrid cars
- Cerium-based catalysts in automobile catalytic converters
Defence & Space Technologies
- Critical in radar systems, missile guidance, satellite communications, and fighter jets
- Samarium-cobalt magnets for high-temperature resistance in military applications
Energy & Nuclear Sector
- Cerium-based catalysts in petroleum refining
- Thorium-based nuclear reactors, leveraging India’s monazite reserves
Healthcare & Medical Devices
- Used in MRI machines, laser scalpels, antiseptic dressings, and cancer drugs
Steel & Glass Industry
- Lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium in special steel alloys
- Cerium-based polishing agents in glass manufacturing

Challenges and Concerns

Environmental Impact (Rare Earth Dilemma)
- Toxic waste generation – For every 1 ton of REE extraction, 2,000 tons of hazardous waste is produced
- Water and soil contamination due to radioactive elements like thorium and uranium
Monopoly of China
- China controls 90-95% of global REE supply, affecting geopolitical stability
- Increasing efforts by Australia, USA, Brazil, and Russia to counter China’s dominance
Extraction & Processing Challenges
- India lacks advanced refining technology, leading to dependence on imports
- High capital costs for REE separation and processing

Way Forward: Strengthening India's REE Capabilities

Policy & Strategic Initiatives
- National Rare Earth Policy: Develop a strategic roadmap for sustainable REE mining
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Encourage private investment in REE processing infrastructure
Sustainable Mining & Recycling
- Develop eco-friendly extraction technologies to minimize environmental damage
- REE recycling initiatives from e-waste and industrial byproducts
Strengthening Indigenous Research & Manufacturing
- Establish Centres of Excellence for REE research under CSIR and ISRO
- Promote domestic processing units to reduce import dependence
Enhancing Global Cooperation
- Collaborate with Japan, USA, Australia, and EU nations for technology-sharing
- Secure long-term REE supply agreements with resource-rich nations

Conclusion

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are indispensable for modern technology, driving advancements in renewable energy, electronics, defence, and healthcare. While India holds vast REE reserves, challenges like environmental risks, China’s monopoly, and lack of refining capabilities need urgent policy attention. Strategic investments in sustainable mining, recycling, and global partnerships will be crucial for India’s self-reliance in critical mineral resources and its vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.