India Eyes Siberian Rare Earth Deposits to Diversify Mineral Supply

India is intensifying its global search for critical minerals to reduce its heavy reliance on China by exploring rare earth samples from Russia’s massive Tomtor deposit. Through state miner IREL, the Indian government is engaging in high-level discussions to secure a stable supply chain for materials essential to the future of technology.

Strategic Negotiations with Rosneft for Tomtor Samples

In a significant move to bolster its mineral security, India’s state-owned IREL, operating under the Department of Atomic Energy, is in talks with the Russian oil giant Rosneft. The focus of these discussions is the Tomtor deposit located in Siberia’s Yakutia region, which Rosneft acquired last year.

According to reports, these negotiations are being conducted through official government channels. The proposed plan involves sourcing mineral samples from the Tomtor site, which will undergo initial processing in Russia before being shipped to India for detailed analysis. India intends to rigorously study the mineral composition of the Tomtor deposit before committing to any long-term or large-scale commercial engagement.

The Global Race for Critical Minerals

The Tomtor deposit is recognized as one of the world’s largest undeveloped rare earth sites. This makes it a prize asset for any nation looking to fuel its high-tech industries. Rare earth elements are indispensable components in the manufacturing of electric vehicle (EV) motors, advanced defense systems, and various 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. This gap in the value chain has prompted the Indian government to approve a ₹73 billion ($770.77 million) programme specifically aimed at boosting domestic rare earth magnet production.

A Multi-Front Diversification Strategy

The pursuit of Siberian minerals is just one part of India's broader "China Plus One" strategy for critical minerals. IREL is managing a complex portfolio of international interests to ensure domestic industries are not vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.

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