India Eyes Russian Siberian Deposits to Secure Rare Earth Supplies
India is intensifying its strategic efforts to diversify critical mineral supply chains by exploring rare earth samples from Russia’s massive Tomtor deposit. This move signals New Delhi's growing determination to reduce its heavy dependence on China for the minerals essential to future-ready technologies.
Strategic Engagement with Russia’s Tomtor Deposit
State-owned miner IREL, operating under the Department of Atomic Energy, is currently in talks with the Russian oil giant Rosneft to source mineral samples from the Tomtor deposit located in Yakutia, Siberia. The Tomtor site is recognized as one of the world’s largest undeveloped rare earth deposits, making it a high-value target for India’s mineral security.
According to reports, these discussions are being conducted through official government channels and remain confidential. The proposed process involves the samples being processed within Russia before being shipped to India for detailed analysis. India’s immediate objective is to study the specific mineral composition of the Tomtor deposit to determine the feasibility of a long-term, large-scale engagement.
Mitigating China Dependency and Boosting Domestic Capacity
The push for Russian minerals is part of a broader geopolitical strategy to mitigate supply chain risks associated with China. Rare earth elements are indispensable components in the manufacturing of electric vehicle (EV) motors, 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 faces a significant bottleneck: it lacks the large-scale refining capacity required for high-purity separation. To address this, the Indian government has approved a ₹73 billion ($770.77 million) programme specifically designed to boost domestic rare earth magnet production. The nation is aiming to achieve large-scale domestic magnet production by the 2029–30 period.
A Global Multi-Pronged Sourcing Strategy
India is not relying on a single source but is instead pursuing a multi-country strategy to secure its mineral future. While the Siberian discussions are a major development, IREL is simultaneously evaluating mining prospects in several other nations, including:
- Argentina, Australia, and Malawi: Under evaluation for long-term mining prospects.
- Japan and South Korea: Ongoing parallel discussions with firms in these nations.
- Myanmar: Previously explored as a potential source for mineral samples.
By spreading its interests across diverse geographies and engaging both state-owned and private entities globally, India is positioning itself to build a resilient and self-reliant ecosystem for critical minerals.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic Exploration: India, via IREL, is negotiating with Rosneft to study samples from the massive Tomtor rare earth deposit in Siberia to assess its mineral composition.
- Diversification Goal: The initiative is a critical step in reducing reliance on China and securing the raw materials needed for India's EV, defence, and green energy sectors.
- Infrastructure Focus: Supported by a ₹73 billion government programme, India is working to bridge the gap between its vast reserves and its lack of high-purity refining and magnet production capacity.