Rajasthan: According to reports, Japan is in talks with India to jointly explore rare earth deposits in the desert state of Rajasthan in a bid to reduce dependence on China for essential minerals. The talks come as India recently identified three hard rock rare earth deposits in Rajasthan and Gujarat containing approximately 1.29 million metric tons of rare earth oxides. This discovery was announced last month by Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who said that these results could significantly increase India’s mineral security.
Reports say the talks between New Delhi and Tokyo are part of an initial agreement on essential minerals signed last year. Under the proposed cooperation, Japan is expected to send experts to Rajasthan to study the deposits. The Japanese government can provide Japan with advanced extraction technology and financial support in exchange for a stable supply of rare earth materials.
Hard rock rare earth deposits require special extraction technology, which India currently does not have on a large scale. Therefore, Japan’s technological expertise can play an important role in developing these reserves. Japan is investigating mining projects around the world to diversify its mineral supply, including rare earth elements, the report said. However, it has been made clear in the report that no talks have taken place yet on any specific corporate partnership or technology agreement related to Rajasthan. Both India and Japan want to reduce their dependence on imports from China for rare earth materials. Rare earth elements are essential for making permanent magnets used in electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, fighter jets and drones.
As one of the world’s fastest growing major economies, India considers secure access to these materials essential to its industrial and strategic ambitions. This conversation is also taking place amid increasing tension between Japan and China. Last week, China banned the export of certain dual-use items to 20 Japanese entities that it claims supply Japan’s military. The move effectively cuts off Japanese companies’ access to seven rare earth elements and other essential minerals that are currently on China’s dual-use control list. Apart from rare earths, reports suggest that Japan is also exploring the possibility of working with Indian companies to explore for lithium, copper and cobalt in Africa. This is part of a larger effort to create a diverse and stable mineral supply chain.
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