India is in talks with Japan to explore rare earth reserves in Rajasthan. Quoting two people with knowledge of the matter, the Economic Times report said that Japan wants to reduce its dependence on China in the supply of these minerals required for making magnets. Last month, Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy had said that three hard rock rare earth deposits have been found in Rajasthan and Gujarat. A total of 12.9 lakh metric tons of rare earth oxide is present in these.
Last year, India and Japan had signed an initial agreement regarding important minerals. After this, Japan has shown interest in these reserves of Rajasthan and has planned to send a team of experts there. People associated with the decision gave this information on condition of anonymity. However, it was not told when the experts would arrive?
According to sources, the Japanese government is ready to provide technology and funds for mining in Rajasthan. In return, she wants to take a specified quantity of rare earths to Japan. It was told that to extract minerals from hard rock, special technology is required, which India does not have at present. India's Mines Ministry and the Japanese Embassy did not respond to queries seeking comment on the matter.
Naoki Kobayashi, deputy director of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), said Japan is examining mining projects around the world to diversify its supply of minerals. However, he refused to discuss any specific company partnership or technology in Rajasthan. Like Japan, India also wants to reduce dependence on imports from China. For this, India wants to set up such plants on a large scale, where rare earth elements can be processed in their pure form. Japan can help in providing technology in this work.
Last week, China banned the export of dual-use (both civilian and military) items to 20 Japanese entities. China says that these institutions supply the Japanese army. Due to this, Japanese companies may have to be cut off from the supply of seven rare earth elements and other important minerals, which are in China's control list. A source said that apart from rare earths, Japan also wants to work with Indian companies on exploration of lithium, copper and cobalt in Africa.
