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 :
Analysis of Statements on Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals
The question asks to identify the correct statements regarding Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals. Let's analyze each statement:
- Statement 1: Correct. REEs are essential components in advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and space exploration. They are used in magnets, batteries, catalysts, and electronics critical for these fields.
- Statement 2: Incorrect. China holds the largest share in the global mining of REEs. India possesses significant REE resources but its mining output is substantially lower than China's and does not place it second globally.
- Statement 3: Correct. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with the objective of developing a strong framework to achieve self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. The statement's assertion regarding the mission's purpose and timeframe is considered correct within the context provided.
- Statement 4: Incorrect. The group commonly referred to as Rare Earth Elements consists of 17 metallic elements: Scandium, Yttrium, and the 15 lanthanide elements. The statement incorrectly identifies the group as having 13 elements.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statements 2 and 4 are incorrect.
Therefore, the correct combination is 1 and 3 only.
