Nagpur: With rare earth elements (REEs) a buzzword these days, the latest data compiled by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) shows Maharashtra has the highest resources of the critical minerals. REEs include 17 specialty metals and have a major use in defence manufacturing, leading to sudden global focus, reports Shishir Arya.Data compiled by the mining sector regulator, shows India has over 29 lakh tons of estimated REE resources. Of this, over 12 lakh tons, around 41% of the country’s total resource, lie in Maharashtra, as per the data. Gujarat is ranked second at 11 lakh tons.In Vidarbha, public sector mining company, Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), is exploring RREs in the overburden – earth dug out for mining coal. Coal India Limited has also taken up an exclusive block near Ramtek for REE exploration. According to IBM data, there are REE resources in 11 states, including the north-east. The lowest find is in Jharkhand, which is otherwise mineral rich.
