Q. Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct?
1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India.
3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.
4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements.
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2 and 4

Answer : A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Rare Earth Elements (REEs) (especially Neodymium, Praseodymium, Dysprosium, etc.) are critical for high-performance magnets, semiconductors, batteries, lasers, and sensors used in AI hardware, robotics, EVs, and space technologies.
Statement 2 is not correct: As of 2025, China produced nearly 70 percent of the total global rare earth mine production. In a distant second place was the United States (not India), accounting for a 13.1 percent share of the global rare earth production.
Statement 3 is correct: The Government of India approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025 to establish a framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. The mission aims to secure the supply chain for these essential resources.
Statement 4 is not correct: REE consists of 17 elements, including the 15 lanthanides from the periodic table, along with the transition metals scandium and yttrium.

Source:

https://www.iea.org/policies/25735-national-critical-mineral-mission

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2120525®=3&lang=2

https://www.statista.com/statistics/268011/top-countries-in-rare-earth-mine-production/