India Eyes Russian Siberian Rare Earth Deposits to Secure Critical Mineral Supply

India is intensifying its strategic efforts to diversify critical mineral supply chains by entering talks to source rare earth samples from Russia’s massive Tomtor deposit in Siberia. This move marks a significant step in the nation's mission to reduce its heavy reliance on China for minerals essential to high-tech industries.

Strategic Engagement with Rosneft and the Tomtor Deposit

State-owned miner IREL, operating under the Department of Atomic Energy, is currently in discussions with the Russian oil major Rosneft regarding the Tomtor deposit located in Yakutia. Rosneft acquired rights to this site last year, which is recognized as one of the world’s largest undeveloped rare earth deposits.

According to reports, these high-level discussions are being conducted through official government channels to maintain confidentiality. The proposed initial phase involves sourcing mineral samples from Tomtor, which will undergo processing in Russia before being shipped to India. India intends to conduct an exhaustive study of the mineral composition to determine the viability of deeper commercial engagement in the future.

Strengthening the Domestic High-Tech Manufacturing Ecosystem

The push for rare earth elements (REEs) is driven by the urgent need to fuel India's burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) sector, advanced defence systems, and clean energy technologies. While India possesses the world’s third-largest rare earth reserves—estimated at approximately 7.23 million metric tons—the country currently lacks the large-scale refining capacity required for high-purity separation.

To bridge this technological gap, the Indian government has approved a ₹73 billion ($770.77 million) programme aimed at boosting domestic rare earth magnet production. The long-term objective is to establish robust domestic magnet manufacturing capabilities by the 2029–30 period.

A Multi-Pronged Global Sourcing Strategy

Securing a stable supply of critical minerals is a cornerstone of India’s industrial policy. While the Siberian talks represent a major development, IREL is simultaneously pursuing a diversified global procurement strategy to mitigate geopolitical risks.

Beyond the Russian negotiations, India has previously explored sourcing samples from Myanmar. Currently, IREL is engaged in parallel discussions with firms in Japan and South Korea. Furthermore, the state miner is evaluating potential mining prospects in several other resource-rich nations, including Argentina, Australia, and Malawi. This multi-country approach underscores India's commitment to building a resilient and independent mineral supply chain.

Key Takeaways