Despite the name, most REEs are not particularly rare. They were called “rare-earth elements” because, when they were discovered in the 18th and 19th centuries, they were found in minerals called “ear

India imports a limited quantity of REEs, reflecting the state of the country’s current position on global supply chains. 2,270 tonnes of REEs were imported in 2023–24, the Ministry of Mines said in a Lok Sabha response earlier in April. As such, the country’s strategy depends on both boosting domestic production and imports.