Coal Ministry begins sampling of coal waste for rare earth elements – Here’s what they found

In a significant step towards securing India’s future supply of critical minerals, the Ministry of Coal has initiated sampling and analysis of coal-derived waste such as fly ash, bottom ash, and overburden from thermal power plants and coal mines to trace elements and Rare Earth Elements (REE).

Singareni and Neyveli sites show promising REE concentrations

According to a release by the Coal Ministry, the samples collected from the Singareni Thermal Power Plant (STPP) have revealed promising levels of REEs, with results showing fly ash and clay containing a total concentration of about 400 parts per million (ppm).

Further, samples from NLC India Ltd’s Neyveli facilities show REE concentrations in overburden, lignite and fly ash as high as 2100 mg/kg comprising both lighter and heavier REE with Yttrium content of 300 mg/kg — a critical element for electronics and green technologies.

Rs 100 crore allocated for pilot recovery projects

This initiative is in line with the government’s broader strategy under the recently launched National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), approved on January 29, 2025, for the period from 2024–25 to 2030–31.