Telangana has significant untapped rare earth mineral reserves

Hyderabad: Experts say Telangana has a lot of untapped reserves of rare earth minerals. Geological scientist PV Sunder Raju believes the state's unique rock formations present good opportunities for finding these valuable resources. Raju highlights the nepheline syenite plutons in Telangana. These formations lie at the boundary of significant geological areas and may contain light rare earth elements. He noted that regions like the Deccan kimberlite province and the Nallamalai lamproite province are known for their potential to yield diamonds. The state can be divided into two major regions: the Gondwana graben and the Deccan plateau. Each region is believed to hold various important minerals, such as barytes and dolomite. Raju also mentioned specific areas that require further exploration, including the Godavari graben and northeastern parts between the Cuddapah and Pakhal basins. Raju pointed out that previous research by companies like De Beers and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) revealed promising sites, but much remains unexplored. For instance, the Narayanpet kimberlite field showed signs of valuable minerals but needs advanced techniques for thorough evaluation. To attract more investments, Raju suggests using modern methods such as geophysical surveys and AI-based analyses. He also noted the potential for exploring granite and pegmatite in certain areas for lithium, considering the growing demand in battery manufacturing. Additionally, he mentioned the possibility of evaluating coal deposits and waste dumps for their mineral content.