Securing critical minerals: India eyes rare earths from Australia; move to counter China’s export curbs

India is in discussions with Australia to secure rare earth minerals, an Australian official confirmed on Tuesday, as global concerns mount over supply shortages triggered by Chinese export restrictions. “They (India and Australia) are talking about rare earth and there are blocks available. So there is an opportunity for India to take an early-stage block and have tie-ups with a few companies,” said Malini Dutt, trade and investment commissioner, New South Wales Government, Australia. The talks come at a time when China’s tightening grip on rare earth exports is impacting key industries, including the automotive and white goods sectors in India. China currently controls more than 90% of the world’s magnet processing capacity, magnets that are critical to automobiles, home appliances and clean energy systems. Speaking on the sidelines of the India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2025, organised by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), Dutt added that Indian interest goes beyond rare earth minerals. “There is a lot of interest around copper as well, given some of the conversations I have had. The interest is both from private sector and a PSU which is quite on the hunt for copper (blocks),” she said, quoted by PTI. “You are aware there are smelters and companies like Adani has made a big investment. There is capacity available. There is an abundance of copper. That is one area people are looking at,” Dutt explained.China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements and magnets are impacting India’s auto and white goods industries. With over 90% control of global magnet processing, China plays a dominant role in supplying components crucial to automobiles, household appliances and clean energy technologies. These rare earths—such as samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium and lutetium—are key to electric motors, braking systems, smartphones and missile systems.