Assam: Goalpara Critical Minerals Claims Turned Faked As GSI Findings Cites Sub-Economic.

Guwahati; May 2026: Days after reports emerged of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) identifying critical mineral deposits in the Tukreswari Hills and Sijukona Hills of Goalpara district, the premier geoscientific organisation has clarified that no economically significant or commercially viable critical mineral deposit has been found in the area.

In a statement issued yesterday (Tuesday – May 26th), the Geological Survey Of India (GSI), under the Ministry of Mines, said that the investigation carried out in the southern part of Agia between 2012 and 2014 was only a ‘preliminary scientific study’ focused on Rare Earth Elements (REE) and not a discovery of commercially exploitable deposits.

“The results of the preliminary REE investigation that the total Rare Earth Element (REE) concentration was below 1000 ppm, which is economic and falls below the threshold for detailed follow under present Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) norms. Hence, no further REE exploration programme was recommended the statement stated. The GSI has also categorically clarified that no official statement had been issued by the organisation claiming the discovery of critical mineral resources beneath the historic Tukreswari Temple or its adjoining areas.

The agency further noted that the report generated from the investigation is already accessible in the public domain through the Geological Survey of India Portal (NG portal) and the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR). It also urged media outlets to verify information with the concerned department before publishing such reports.

The clarification comes in the wake of reports published on May 23rd, which claimed that minerals discovered beneath the hills include lithium, graphite, cobalt and vanadium, all classified as critical minerals essential for manufacturing electric vehicles, batteries, mobile phones, laptops, advanced defence systems, missiles and space research technologies.

The reported discovery had generated considerable excitement among local residents, particularly in and around the Tukreswari Temple area. With the GSI now firmly walking back those claims, the initial enthusiasm surrounding a potential mineral windfall for the region appears to have been premature.

Team Maverick.