Scientists Find Rare Earth Elements Reserve In Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: Researchers from the CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) in Hyderabad have discovered the presence of Light Rare Earth Elements (REE) in the Ananthapur district of Andhra Pradesh. REEs are essential in many electronic devices and industrial applications, including medical technology, aerospace, and defense.
Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium, Neodymium, Yttrium, Hafnium, Tantalum, Niobium, Zirconium, and Scandium are minerals that contain the light rare earth elements.

A senior principal scientist at NGRI, PV Sunder Raju, said, “We found enriched Light Rare Earth Elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Y, Nb and Ta) in whole rock analyses, confirming the minerals hosting these REE.”

Along with scandium and yttrium, the 15 elements known as the lanthanide and actinide series in the periodic table of elements are collectively referred to as rare earth elements (REE).

REEs are essential components in everyday electronic devices (cell phones) and industrial applications, such as clean energy, aerospace, automotive, and defense.

According to him, the largest and most significant end use of REEs is the production of permanent magnets.

Modern electronics used in products like cell phones, televisions, computers, cars, wind turbines, jet aircraft, and many other things depend on permanent magnets.

Due to their luminescent and catalytic properties, REEs are widely used in high-tech and “green” products.

“Europe will need up to 26 times more rare earth metals in 2050 than it does today to achieve net zero. Due to digitalization, demand is also rising “he said.