Rare Earth Metals

Rare earth metals are a group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements found in the Earth’s crust. Despite the name, they are not actually rare — but they are difficult to extract economically because they are rarely found in concentrated deposits.

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Which Elements Are Rare Earth Metals?

They include:

🔹 Lanthanides (15 elements)

Cerium (Ce), Neodymium (Nd), Lanthanum (La), Praseodymium (Pr), Promethium (Pm), Samarium (Sm), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Dysprosium (Dy), Holmium (Ho), Erbium (Er), Thulium (Tm), Ytterbium (Yb), Lutetium (Lu)

🔹 Plus Two Similar Elements

• Scandium (Sc)
• Yttrium (Y)

Total: 17 Rare Earth Elements (REEs)

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Why are Rare Earth Metals Important?

They have unique magnetic, heat-resistant and luminescent properties, making them essential for modern high-tech industries.

Major Uses of Rare Earth Metals

Element	Key Use
Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr)	High-power magnets (EV motors, headphones, turbines)
Dysprosium (Dy), Terbium (Tb)	Heat-resistant magnets for defence & nuclear use
Europium (Eu), Yttrium (Y)	LED displays, lasers
Lanthanum (La)	Camera lenses, optical instruments
Cerium (Ce)	Catalytic converters (cleaner vehicle emissions)

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Who Controls the Supply of Rare Earth Elements?

Country	Global Share
China	~85–90% of processing & magnet production
USA, Australia	Primary mining but limited processing
India	Large reserves, low downstream capacity

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India’s Context of Rare Earth Metals Reserves

India has 7 million tonnes of REE reserves, especially in:

• Tamil Nadu
• Kerala
• Odisha
• Andhra Pradesh

But mainly produces oxide-level materials — import dependent for magnets & components.

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Key Characteristics of Rare Earth Elements

• Found mixed with radioactive minerals like thorium
• Hard to separate → expensive, hazardous refining
• Vital for EVs, defence, electronics, satellites, renewable energy