Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy informed Parliament on 28 July, 2025 that promising reserves of rare earth elements (REEs) have been discovered in the Singrauli coalfields of Madhya Pradesh.

The discovery follows detailed research and appraisal by Coal India (CIL), focusing on Gondwana sediments such as coal, clay, shale, and sandstone. REEs—such as scandium and yttrium—are vital for clean energy systems, electronics, electric vehicles, and other advanced industrial applications. “Results from appraisal of Gondwana sediments...indicate that REE are ‘promising’ in nature, with an enrichment of 250 ppm on a whole coal basis and 400 ppm in non-coal samples,” Minister Reddy stated in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. He emphasized, however, that commercial extraction would depend on technological advancements and economic feasibility.

While REE presence is low in North Eastern Region coalfields, they show relatively higher heavy REE content. Indigenous technologies are being developed for extraction from overburden strata.