Executive Summary:
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 469 regarding exploration and value addition of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in Odisha, answered on July 23, 2025. It details geological surveys and exploration activities undertaken in Odisha during the financial years 2022-23 to 2024-25, the policies to promote value addition of critical minerals and REEs, and the funds allocated and utilized for these activities. The document also includes annexures that provide specific details on exploration projects and resource augmentation.
Key Points / Main Content:
Exploration Activities:
* The Geological Survey of India (GSI) undertook 32 mineral exploration projects on various critical minerals in Odisha from 2022-23 to 2024-25.
* The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) funded 19 mineral exploration projects on various critical minerals, including REEs, in Odisha during the same period.
* Details of GSI and NMET projects are provided in Annexure I, while resource establishment and project outcomes are in Annexure II.
Policy and Value Addition:
* The National Critical Mineral Mission was launched in January 2025 to secure the supply of critical minerals and strengthen the country's value chains.
* The Ministry of Mines funds Research and Development projects in critical and strategic minerals processing under its Science and Technology (ST) program.
Funding:
* GSI's sanctioned and expenditure for mineral exploration activities in Odisha during 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 totaled ₹352.24 Lakhs and ₹351.85 Lakhs, respectively.
* NMET funded projects in Odisha during the same period had a sanctioned amount of ₹32.97 Crores, with ₹17.18 Crores utilized.
Impact Analysis:
Government of India (Ministry of Mines):
* Impact: Responsible for overseeing and funding mineral exploration and value addition activities in Odisha, as well as formulating and implementing relevant policies like the National Critical Mineral Mission.
* Action Required: Continue to monitor and support exploration projects, allocate funds for R&D, and implement policies to promote value addition and local processing of critical minerals.
Geological Survey of India (GSI):
* Impact: Tasked with conducting geological surveys and mineral exploration activities in Odisha, contributing to the discovery and assessment of critical mineral resources.
* Action Required: Execute mineral exploration projects as planned, document findings, and provide data for resource assessment and policy formulation.
National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET):
* Impact: Provides funding for mineral exploration projects in Odisha, supporting the discovery and development of critical mineral resources.
* Action Required: Continue to fund and monitor exploration projects, ensuring effective utilization of funds and achievement of project objectives.
Research and Development Institutions:
* Impact: Benefit from funding for R&D projects in critical and strategic minerals processing, contributing to technological advancements in mineral beneficiation and value addition.
* Action Required: Conduct research and development activities as per project objectives, contributing to the development of efficient and sustainable mineral processing technologies.
Odisha State Government:
* Impact: Benefits from mineral exploration and value addition activities through increased revenue, employment opportunities, and economic development.
* Action Required: Facilitate mineral exploration and mining activities, provide necessary infrastructure and support, and collaborate with the central government to promote value addition and local processing of critical minerals.
Key Entities Referenced
Rare Earth Elements REEs: A set of seventeen chemical elements in the periodic table, crucial for various technologies and industries; the document discusses their exploration and value addition.
Odisha: A state in India where mineral exploration projects, especially for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other critical minerals, are being conducted.
Geological Survey of India GSI: An attached office of the Ministry of Mines, responsible for conducting geological surveys and mineral exploration projects, including those in Odisha.
National Mineral Exploration Trust NMET: A trust under the Ministry of Mines that funds mineral exploration projects, including those for critical minerals and REEs in Odisha.
MMDR Amendment Act, 2015: A legislative act that amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, and is referenced in relation to the resources established and augmented by GSI in Odisha.
National Critical Mineral Mission: A government initiative launched in January 2025 to secure a sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthen the country's mineral value chains.
Ministry of Mines: The government ministry responsible for the exploration, regulation, and development of mines and minerals in India.
SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY: The Minister of Coal and Mines who provided the answer to the question in the Lok Sabha.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No.469
ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
EXPLORATION AND VALUE ADDITION OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS (REEs) IN
ODISHA
469. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government have undertaken or sanctioned any new geological
surveys or exploration activities for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other critical
minerals in Odisha during the last three financial years;
(b) if so, the details thereof, including locations identified, progress made and findings
from such exploration;
(c) whether the Government has formulated any policy or plan to promote value
addition and local processing of critical minerals and REEs in Odisha before export
and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the total funds allocated and utilized for mineral exploration and value addition in
Odisha during the last three financial years?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) & (b): Yes. During the last three field seasons i.e. 2022-23 to 2024-25, Geological
Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, has taken up 32
mineral exploration projects on various critical minerals in Odisha. Further, National
Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), Ministry of Mines has also funded 19 mineral
exploration projects on various critical minerals, including REE, in Odisha from 2022-
23 to 2024-25. The details in respect of both GSI and NMET are given at Annexure-I.
The details of the resources established and augmented by GSI since MMDR
Amendment Act, 2015 and the details of the outcomes of the projects under NMET
funding in Odisha are given in Annexure II.
(c): The Government launched National Critical Mineral Mission in January, 2025 with
an aim to secure a long-term sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthen
country’s critical mineral value chains encompassing all stages from mineral
exploration and mining to beneficiation, processing and recovery from end-of-lifeproducts. The Ministry of Mines under its S&T programme also funds Research and
Development projects in critical and strategic minerals processing.
(d): The year- wise details of funds sanctioned and expenditure incurred during the
last three field seasons i.e. 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 by GSI for mineral
exploration activities in Odisha are as follows:
(Fig. in Lakhs)
Field Season No. of Mineral exploration Sanctioned Field expenditure
year projects Amount incurred
2022-23 24 119.64 119.30
2023-24 30 107.68 107.67
2024-25 36 124.92 124.88
Total 120 352.24 351.85
Further, the year-wise approved cost of NMET funded projects and the amount utilized
by the exploration agencies in Odisha during 2022-23 to 2024-25 is as follows:
(Fig. in Crores)
Financial No. of Mineral exploration Sanctioned Utilised
year projects Amount Amount
2022-23 8 13.07 6.44
2023-24 5 9.37 6.67
2024-25 6 10.53 4.07
Total 19 32.97 17.18
*****Annexure-I
The details of mineral exploration items taken up on critical and strategic
minerals
by GSI in Odisha during field seasons 2022-23 to 2024-25
Sl District Name of Mineral Block / UNFC Mineral
No. Area/ Belt Stage Commodity
1 Sundargarh Garjanjor G3 Phosphorite, REE
2 Mayurbhanj Naphri, Balrampur G4 Nickel, Cobalt,
Chromium
3 Boudh and Gabjor G4 REE, RM
Sonepur
4 Nayagarh Tumandi G3 Graphite
5 Angul Thakurgarh-Mindol G4 Graphite
6 Sundargarh and Shahasapur-Chuakani G4 Phosphorite
Jharsuguda
7 Kalahandi Pengsur G4 Graphite
8 Nayagarh Notara-Baulasahi G4 REE, RM
9 Deogarh western extension of Adash G3 Graphite
Block
10 Nayagarh Tumandi East G3 Graphite
11 Nayagarh Tumandi West G3 Graphite
12 Nayagarh Khuntapada-Arkhapal G3 REE, RM
13 Angul Debinagar G4 REE
14 Kalahandi Dangarigan G4 Graphite
15 Sundargarh Roxy G4 Nickel, PGE
16 Ganjam Kumbharajholi-Borada G4 REE, RM
17 Nayagarh Tumandi - B G2 Graphite
18 Nayagarh Koriekahania- Baulasahi- G3 REE, RM
Badbhuin
19 Angul Mindol-Badabar G3 Graphite
20 Kalahandi Ranikot G3 Graphite
21 Nuapada Bhela-Babupalli-Udaybandh G4 REE, RM, PGE
22 Sambalpur and Barhjharan-Rairatnapur G4 Lithium, RM
Deogarh
23 Jharsuguda Kholdipa- Ghichamura G4 REE, RM
24 Boudh Palsagora-Pindapadar G4 REE, RM
25 Koraput Dammaparha-Mathili G4 Tin, REE
26 Mayurbhanj Balarampur and G4 Vanadium,
Argalabindha Titanium
27 Nayagarh Dalipadar, Kaiandiha, G4 Graphite
Poibadi & Rudhapadar
28 Kandhamal Tumudibandha G4 Graphite
29 Jajpur Kansa- Kumardah G3 Nickel
30 Angul Debinagar east G4 REE
31 Mayurbhanj Bijatala-Sulaipat G4 Nickel, PGE, Gold
32 Nuapada Rajna – Mahulpadar G4 REE, RM, PGEDetails of NMET funded 19 mineral exploration projects on various
critical minerals, including REE, in Odisha during 2022-23 to 2024-25.
S. Name of Mineral Block/ UNFC
District Mineral Commodity
No. Area/ Belt Stage
1 Balangir Salepali G3 Graphite
2 Kalahandi Thapen and Bazargarh G4 Graphite
3 Kalahandi Lamer Panga G4 Graphite
4 Kalahandi Lamer Panga Block A G3 Graphite
5 Kalahandi Lamer Panga Block B G3 Graphite
PGE, Chromium,
6 Sundergarh Chandiposh G4
Nickel, Cobalt
7 Dhenkanal Bandhabhun G3 Graphite
Naringapanga (South &
8 Rayagada G3 Graphite
West)
Manganese &
9 Balangir Larambha G3
Graphite
Manganese &
10 Balangir Kanaital G3
Graphite
11 Rayagada Darukona G4 Graphite
12 Rayagada Kanapulisi G4 Graphite
Managenese and
13 Balangir Kharatbahal G3
graphite
Balangir and
14 Chormunda G3 Graphite
Nuapada,
Balangir and
15 Temrimal G3 Graphite
Bargarh
16 Balangir Patimal G3 Graphite
17 Balangir Khairmal G4 Graphite
18 Balangir Dhorukhaman G4 Graphite
19 Rayagada Dumburuneli G4 GraphiteAnnexure-II
Mineral resource augmented by GSI in Odisha since MMDR Amendment Act,
2015 for various critical mineral commodities
Resource
Sl. Field UNFC in Million
District Commodity Block Name Grade
No. Season Stage Tonne
(MT)
1 Deogarh 2018-19 Copper, Adash G2 0.1 MT Nickel ore
Nickel, nickel ore 0.10 % Ni
Graphite, 0.49 MT (at 0.10 %
Gold Silver graphite Ni cut off)
ore Graphite
ore 5.07 %
FC (at 3.0%
FC Cut off)
2 Mayurbhanj 2019-20 Copper, Dudhiasol G2 2.05 MT 0.19%Ni (at
nickel East nickel ore 0.1% cut
off)
3 Deogarh 2019-20 Copper, Rampali G2 0.5 MT 7.59 % FC
graphite graphite (at 7.0 %
ore FC cut-off)
4 Balangir 2021-23 Manganese, Dandapani G2 2.03 MT Graphite
graphite, graphite ore 2.99%
vanadium ore FC (at 2%
cut-off)
0.37 MT Vanadium
vanadium ore 615.33
ore ppm (at
500ppm
cut-off)
5 Balangir 2021-23 Manganese, Uchhabapalli- G2 0.53 MT 3.39% FC
graphite Thakurpalli graphite
ore
6 Nayagarh 2021-23 Graphite Daspalla G3 3.838 Graphite
(Tumandi graphite ore 3.87%
Village) ore FC avg.
750kg grade (at
vanadium 2% FC cut-
ore off)
Vanadium
ore 750 kg
(at 310.98
ppm V avg.
grade)Details of the outcomes of the projects through NMET funding in Odisha
Resource
S. Financial Block UNFC
District Commodity in Million Grade
No. Year Name Stage
Tone (MT)
0.153 million
Average
tonnes
Graphite & grade of
1 Balangir 2022-23 Salepali G3 net inferred
Manganese 2.21% FC at
resource of
2% FC cut-off
graphite
0.044 million
tonnes
resource
(UNFC- 334)
estimated
with average
4.65% FC at
Thapen and 0.125 million 2% cut off FC.
2 Kalahandi 2022-23 Graphite G4
Bazargarh tonnes
0.081 million
tonnes of very
low-grade
graphite (01-
02% FC) with
average
1.37% FC
1.508 million
tonnes (02-
05% FC),
0.415 million
Lamer 2.034 million tonnes (05-
3 Kalahandi 2022-23 Graphite G4
Panga tonnes 10% FC) and
0.109 million
tonnes
(above 10%
FC)
Cross
Sectional
Area method
with an
Lamer
3.098 million average of
4 Kalahandi 2022-23 Graphite Panga G3
tonnes 6.76 % FC at
Block A
2% cut off FC
in the Lamer-
Panga block-
A
0.787 million
Lamer 1.034 million
tonnes (02-
5 Kalahandi 2022-23 Graphite Panga G3 tonnes
05% FC),
Block B
0.471 milliontonnes (05-
10% FC) and
0.045 million
tonnes
(above 10%
FC) in Cross
Sectional
Area method.
Average
Resource of
grade of
manganese
16.07% Mn at
is 0.36
10%
million
Mn threshold
tonnes
value.
Manganese
6 Balangir 2023-24 Larambha G3
& Graphite Resource of
Average
graphite is
grade of
0.64 million
6.05% FC at
tonnes.
2% FC
threshold
value.
manganese
ore with an
average
grade of
Resource of
15.35% Mn at
manganese
10% Mn
is 0.28
threshold
million
value.
Manganese tonnes
7 Balangir 2023-24 Kanaital G3
& Graphite
graphite ore
Resource of
resource with
graphite is
an average
4.28 million
grade of
tonnes.
5.40% FC at
2% FC
threshold
value.
The F.C
values ranges
from 0.11% to
10.65%. As
0.176 million cut off 2% F.C
8 Rayagada 2023-24 Graphite Kanapulisi G4
tonnes was
considered for
resource
estimation of
graphite.average
Resource of
grade of
graphite is
Manganese 4.10% FC at
9 Balangir 2023-24 Bharatbahal G3 0.59 million
& Graphite 2% FC
tonnes
threshold
value