IREL (India) Limited
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: FE
Context: India has directed IREL (India) Ltd to suspend its 13-year-old rare earth supply agreement with Japan, aiming to prioritize domestic needs and reduce dependence on Chinese processing chains.
About IREL (India) Limited:
• What It Is? IREL (India) Limited is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Department of Atomic Energy, engaged in mining, separation, processing, and extraction of rare earths and atomic minerals.
• IREL (India) Limited is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Department of Atomic Energy, engaged in mining, separation, processing, and extraction of rare earths and atomic minerals.
• Established In: Incorporated: 18 August 1950 (as Indian Rare Earths Limited) Became a full Government of India enterprise in 1963
• Incorporated: 18 August 1950 (as Indian Rare Earths Limited)
• Became a full Government of India enterprise in 1963
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Ministry: Administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
• Status & Recognition: Recognized as a profit-making CPSE (Central Public Sector Enterprise) since 1997–98 Notified as a Mini Ratna Category-I PSU
• Recognized as a profit-making CPSE (Central Public Sector Enterprise) since 1997–98
• Notified as a Mini Ratna Category-I PSU
• Core Objective: To explore, mine, process, and commercialize rare earths and strategic minerals essential for India’s energy, defence, electronics, and EV sectors.
• Key Functions & Roles: Mineral Separation Units: Operates major complexes like OSCOM (Odisha), Chavara (Kerala), and MK (Tamil Nadu) Rare Earth Extraction & Refining: Odisha unit produces ~11,000 tonnes of rare earth concentrate Aluva (Kerala) plant refines high-purity rare earth oxides Support to Indigenous Industry: Supplies minerals like Ilmenite, Zircon, Rutile, Sillimanite, Garnet Facilitating value-chain industries in Rare Earths and Titanium (e.g., Theme Park in Bhopal) Research & Development: In-house R&D division at Kollam, Kerala supports innovation in mineral and chemical processing. Exports & Trade: Exported ₹962 crore worth of minerals in FY 2023–24. Previously supplied neodymium and other critical materials to Japan for high-tech and EV industries.
• Mineral Separation Units: Operates major complexes like OSCOM (Odisha), Chavara (Kerala), and MK (Tamil Nadu)
• Rare Earth Extraction & Refining: Odisha unit produces ~11,000 tonnes of rare earth concentrate Aluva (Kerala) plant refines high-purity rare earth oxides
• Odisha unit produces ~11,000 tonnes of rare earth concentrate
• Aluva (Kerala) plant refines high-purity rare earth oxides
• Support to Indigenous Industry: Supplies minerals like Ilmenite, Zircon, Rutile, Sillimanite, Garnet Facilitating value-chain industries in Rare Earths and Titanium (e.g., Theme Park in Bhopal)
• Supplies minerals like Ilmenite, Zircon, Rutile, Sillimanite, Garnet
• Facilitating value-chain industries in Rare Earths and Titanium (e.g., Theme Park in Bhopal)
• Research & Development: In-house R&D division at Kollam, Kerala supports innovation in mineral and chemical processing.
• Exports & Trade: Exported ₹962 crore worth of minerals in FY 2023–24. Previously supplied neodymium and other critical materials to Japan for high-tech and EV industries.
• Exported ₹962 crore worth of minerals in FY 2023–24.
• Previously supplied neodymium and other critical materials to Japan for high-tech and EV industries.