Jaipur: Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to execute an exploration licence for a rare earth elements (REE) block auctioned under the Centre’s new exploration licensing regime for critical and strategic minerals. The licence has been awarded for a block that straddles Balotra and Jodhpur districts, where geological studies indicate the presence of rare earth elements.The exploration licence has been granted for a 207.6 sq km area spanning Nawatala-Devigarh in Pachpadra tehsil of Balotra district and Shergarh tehsil of Jodhpur district. Geological studies conducted here indicate the presence of several rare earth elements such as lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium.Officials said the Centre introduced the exploration licence framework for critical and strategic minerals in 2024, with the first round of auctions conducted in 2025. The Balotra-Jodhpur block was among those auctioned and awarded to the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd (CMPDI), a public sector enterprise.“Rajasthan is the first state to formally execute an exploration licence for RREs under the new framework, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the Centre’s critical minerals policy,” a senior govt official said.An exploration will enable a scientific assessment of the block’s rare earth potential and generate detailed geological data for future development, he added.Rare earth elements are classified as critical minerals because of their extensive use across key industries like electric vehicles, renewable energy, defence, aerospace, semiconductors, electronics and telecommunications.Officials said systematic exploration of rare earth elements is expected to attract investment in the critical minerals sector, strengthen India’s domestic supply chain for strategic minerals and reduce dependence on imports in the long run.
