India Eyes Russian Siberian Deposit to Secure Critical Rare Earth Supplies

India is aggressively diversifying its critical mineral supply chains as it seeks to reduce its heavy dependence on China. In a strategic move, state-owned miner IREL is reportedly in talks with Russian oil major Rosneft to source rare earth samples from the massive Tomtor deposit in Siberia.

Strategic Pivot Toward the Tomtor Deposit

The discussions, which are being routed through official government channels, focus on the Tomtor deposit located in Yakutia, Russia. This site is recognized as one of the world’s largest undeveloped rare earth deposits. According to reports, the samples obtained from the site will undergo initial processing in Russia before being shipped to India for detailed analysis.

India’s primary objective is to conduct a thorough study of the mineral composition at Tomtor. This scientific evaluation is a prerequisite before the government considers any long-term commercial engagement or large-scale mining agreements. IREL, which operates under the Department of Atomic Energy, is spearheading this overseas mission to fortify India's mineral security.

Reducing Dependency and Boosting Domestic Capacity

The push for Russian minerals comes at a time when India is navigating strained trade ties with China, which currently dominates the global rare earth market. Rare earth elements are indispensable components in high-growth sectors, including electric vehicle (EV) motors, advanced defense systems, and clean energy technologies.

While India holds 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 specifically aimed at boosting domestic rare earth magnet production. The ultimate goal is to have large-scale magnet production operational by 2029–30.

A Global Search for Mineral Security

The exploration of the Siberian deposit is just one part of India’s broader, multi-pronged global strategy. Having previously explored sourcing samples from Myanmar, IREL is now actively diversifying its portfolio through several international avenues:

By scouting for resources across different geopolitical zones, India aims to build a resilient and uninterrupted supply chain that can fuel its transition toward a green economy and a more advanced defense manufacturing ecosystem.

Key Takeaways