India Eyes Russian Siberian Rare Earth Deposits to Reduce China Reliance

India is aggressively pursuing new avenues to secure critical mineral supply chains, with high-level talks underway to source rare earth samples from Russia’s massive Tomtor deposit. This strategic move aims to diversify the country's mineral sourcing and mitigate the risks associated with its heavy dependence on Chinese supplies.

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, Siberia. This deposit is recognized as one of the world’s largest undeveloped rare earth sites.

According to reports, these discussions are being conducted through official government channels to maintain confidentiality. The proposed initial phase involves sourcing mineral samples that will undergo processing in Russia before being shipped to India. India’s primary objective is to conduct a rigorous study of the Tomtor deposit's mineral composition to determine the feasibility of a long-term, large-scale engagement.

Strengthening the Domestic Magnet Manufacturing Ecosystem

The push for these minerals comes at a critical time for India’s industrial roadmap. Rare earth elements are indispensable components in the production of electric vehicle (EV) motors, advanced defense systems, and clean energy technologies. While India possesses the world’s third-largest rare earth reserves—estimated at approximately 7.23 million metric tons—it currently lacks the large-scale refining capacity required for high-purity separation and magnet production.

To address this gap, the Indian government has approved a ₹73 billion ($770.77 million) programme specifically designed to boost domestic rare earth magnet production. The ultimate goal is to establish a self-reliant manufacturing ecosystem with targeted production timelines set for 2029–30.

A Global Diversification Strategy

The exploration of the Siberian deposit is only one piece of India’s broader "China Plus One" strategy for critical minerals. IREL is actively diversifying its geographical footprint to ensure a steady inflow of raw materials.

Parallel to the Russian discussions, IREL is engaged in talks with firms in Japan and South Korea. Furthermore, the state miner is evaluating mining prospects in several other resource-rich nations, including Argentina, Australia, and Malawi. This multi-pronged approach, which previously included exploring samples from Myanmar, highlights India's commitment to building a resilient and secure supply chain for the technologies of the future.

Key Takeaways