India Unearths Rare Earth 'Ultimate Weapon' in Andhra Pradesh, Challenges China's Tech Grip

• Vast Rare Earth Mineral reserves discovered along Andhra Pradesh's 974 km coastline, including Monazite, Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon, Garnet, and Sillimanite.
• This discovery is a game-changer, enabling India's self-reliance in technology, defense (5th gen jets, missiles), and green energy (EVs, wind turbines).
• China currently dominates 85% of global Rare Earth processing, using it as a strategic tool, impacting high-tech and defense sectors worldwide.
• India's reserves include 12-15 million tons of Monazite, with 30-35% potentially in Andhra Pradesh, offering Thorium for future nuclear reactors.
• Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) is actively mining, and Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) plans a 10,000-ton processing plant in Gudur by 2026.

Why It Matters: India's massive Rare Earth discovery in Andhra Pradesh positions it as a global tech and defense powerhouse.