Exploration And Recovery Of Rare Earth Elements (REE) From Coal-Associated Sources

Comprehensive studies have been conducted to analyze the presence of trace elements and Rare Earth Elements (REE) in coal by-products and overburden materials across various regions:

• Singareni Thermal Power Plant (STPP):
  Fly ash, bottom ash, and overburden clay samples collected from STPP have been analyzed. The results indicate that the total REE content in fly ash and clays is approximately 400 ppm.

• NLC India Limited, Neyveli:
  Overburden, lignite, and fly ash samples from Neyveli’s mines and thermal power plants were examined. The fly ash revealed a significant REE concentration of 2100 mg/kg, including both light and heavy REEs, with Yttrium content at 300 mg/kg.

To promote critical mineral recovery, the Government of India approved the establishment of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) on 29 January 2025, covering the period 2024–25 to 2030–31. Under the Mission:

• ₹100 crore has been allocated for pilot projects targeting the recovery of critical minerals from sources such as overburden, tailings, fly ash, and red mud.

• Guidelines for setting up Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the NCMM were approved on 6 April 2025.

Research & Development Initiatives by Coal India Limited (CIL)

CIL has undertaken several R&D initiatives related to REE exploration in coal-associated materials:

1. North Eastern Region (NER) Coalfields:
   Studies show that while total REE content is low, there is a relatively high proportion of Heavy REEs.

2. Singrauli Coalfield (Gondwana Sediments):
   REE concentrations in coal (≈250 ppm) and non-coal samples (~400 ppm) are considered “promising”. However, economically viable extraction depends on technological advancements and scale of operation.

3. Technology Development for REE Extraction:
   Indigenous methods are being developed to extract REEs from non-coal strata and acid mine drainage. The focus areas include:

   • Enrichment of critical metals through physical separation techniques

   • Extraction of critical metals using Ion-Exchange Resin methods

Collaborative Research by SCCL

The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the following institutions to foster research in REE recovery:

• Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar

• Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), Hyderabad

• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad