Assam: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Eyes Rare Earth Explorations.

Guwahati; May 2026: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed officials to begin exploring rare earth reserves in the state in line with the Centre’s policies, signalling Assam’s intent to position itself within the country’s expanding critical minerals and Industry 4.0 roadmap.

Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Mines and Minerals Department yesterday (16th May 2026), Sarma said Assam possesses known reserves of rare earth and other strategic minerals viewed as essential for advanced manufacturing, clean energy technologies and next-generation industrial systems. “Assam has known reserves of rare earth and other key minerals essential to Industry 4.0. I have asked my officials to begin exploration work in sync with Government of India policies”, the Chief Minister said in a post on social media after the meeting.

Sarma further said ongoing mineral exploration activities in the state had already generated major investment commitments. “We also reviewed the ongoing exploration of other minerals, some of which have already led to investment commitments of over Rs 50,000 crore”, he said. At the same time, the Chief Minister stressed that industrial expansion in the sector must not compromise ecological safeguards. “I have also emphasised that all mining operations must be carried out sustainably within the existing green framework”, Sarma added.

The state’s push towards rare earth and critical mineral exploration aligns with the Centre’s broader policy focus on strengthening India’s domestic critical minerals ecosystem. This emphasis was also reflected in the Union Budget 2026, where Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed customs duty exemptions on capital goods required for processing critical minerals in India to encourage domestic value addition and industrial capacity building.

The issue had also figured prominently during the 2nd North East Mining Ministers’ Conclave held on June 27, 2025, where Sarma highlighted Assam’s growing mining ambitions.

During the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, the state signed 14 MoUs securing investment commitments exceeding Rs 46,000 crore from national and international investors. Assam’s renewed thrust on rare earth and critical mineral exploration also comes alongside the Centre’s broader push for mineral security and domestic supply-chain development under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), launched in 2025 to reduce India’s reliance on imports of strategic minerals.

It was on 27th June, 2025, the Chief Minister had asserted that the state government’s commitment to promoting mining and mineral-based economic growth, Sarma outlined several initiatives:

• Approval of the Assam State Mineral Exploration Trust by the state cabinet to fund minor mineral exploration and promote sustainable mining;

• Finalisation of the Assam Mineral Policy, expected to be implemented in a month;

• Amendment of Assam Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2025 to introduce circular economy-based zero waste mining practices;

• Accumulation of Rs 2,037 crores to the District Mineral Fund as of June 2024;

• Incorporation of revised Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana guidelines into the Assam District Mineral Foundation;

• Securing of 3 coal mines by the Assam Mineral Development Corporation (AMDCL) through competitive bidding which includes two in Assam (Garampani and Koilajan), and one in Jharkhand;

• Pilot project proposed by the AMDCL for extraction of granite extraction and establishment of a granite polishing unit in Kamrup district (the first of its kind) to create employment for local youth and promote industrial growth.

The Chief Minister had then highlighted that 14 MoUs, amounting to Rs 46,000 crores were signed during Advantage Assam 2.0. He expressed his intent to translate the same into actionable investments and invited both existing and new investors to Assam. Urging the Northeastern states to play a proactive role in national growth, the Chief Minister said, “The revenue generated through these activities will remain with the state governments. We hope to become contributory states to India’s journey of development, not just remain as dependent states”.

Under the mission, the Geological Survey of India has been tasked with carrying out 1,200 exploration projects between 2024-25 and 2030-31 to identify critical mineral reserves across the country. The policy framework is aimed at supporting sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy, defence manufacturing, electronics and electric mobility.

Team Maverick.