Abu Dhabi [UAE], November 6 (ANI): India has significant access to rare earth elements and can become an important player in the global supply chain if it develops its refining and processing capabilities, Adnan Amin, Chairman of the World Energy Council, said. Amin, who served as CEO of COP28, emphasised that rare earth minerals are not inherently scarce—the challenge lies in creating the industrial and processing infrastructure to convert them into usable materials for the energy transition.
“The critical minerals issue is very, very topical right now. When we discuss rare earth minerals, they are really not that rare. They are available in many places, including India. The real issue is how to develop the capacity to refine and process these minerals into usable elements for energy transition,” Amin said in an exclusive interaction with ANI.
Reflecting on China’s dominance in this sector, he noted that over the last 25 years, the country invested heavily in building an ecosystem for rare earth processing, establishing market leadership. Geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions have further highlighted the importance of diversifying access to these minerals, he added.
“India has the possibility to be part of the supply chain. But similar to scaling up renewables, it requires developing the industrial capacity for processing and refining,” Amin said. He also highlighted that several countries, including the US and Japan, are entering agreements to secure rare earth supplies, signalling a growing global focus on these critical minerals.
Amin stressed that for India, the path forward is not just resource extraction, but building a robust ecosystem for refining, processing, and innovation. As demand for copper, lithium, and rare earths rises worldwide, industrial capability will be central to ensuring self-reliance.
On the role of technology in the energy sector, Amin said artificial intelligence (AI) will be “revolutionary for the energy industry,” comparing its impact to the mobile telephony revolution. He added that AI provides developing countries, including India, opportunities to efficiently plan and design energy infrastructure, enhancing sustainability and bridging the gap to future energy systems.
“With the strides India has made in AI, it is well-positioned to leverage this technology for efficient, inclusive, and forward-looking energy solutions,” Amin concluded. (ANI)
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