- SFG FRC 2027 | Program starts from 19th Dec. 2026 | Admissions open for Entrance Test Click Here to know more →
- Prelims Test Series (PTS) for Prelims 2027 starts 11th Oct. 2026 Click Here to know more →
- [Pre-order] Ethics Redbook 3rd Edition: Delivery starts from 10th October onwards Click Here to Read More →
- 21 Sept. | GS Advance Program (GSAP) for UPSC 2027 Mains starts from 11th Oct. Click Here to Read More →
Why in the News?
India is exploring the possibilities of joining the Minerals Security Partnership.
About Minerals Security Partnership
Minerals Security Partnership is an ambitious new US-led partnership to secure supply chains of critical minerals, aimed at reducing dependency on China.
Members: US, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the European Commission.
The new grouping could focus on the supply chains of minerals such as Cobalt, Nickel, Lithium and also the 17 “rare earth” minerals.
Significance of joining MSP for India
Given the push of India towards Electric Vehicles, it needs to secure the supply of critical minerals.
China has created a processing infrastructure in rare earth minerals and has acquired mines in Africa for elements such as cobalt.
Few Facts about rare Earth elements
Rare earth comprises seventeen elements and are classified as light RE elements (LREE) and heavy RE elements (HREE).
Some REs are available in India such as Lanthanum, Cerium, Neodymium, Praseodymium, and Samarium.
While others such as Dysprosium, Terbium, Europium that are classified as HREE are not available in Indian deposits in extractable quantity.
