财经观察：力求全面自产，印度稀土能“卖全球”吗？

Core Viewpoint - India aims to reduce its reliance on China for rare earth elements by investing between 35 billion to 50 billion rupees in domestic production initiatives, potentially positioning itself as a significant alternative supplier outside of China [1][5]. Group 1: Government Initiatives - The Indian government has launched the "National Critical Minerals Mission" to enhance domestic rare earth supply and reduce dependency on imports, particularly from China [2][6]. - The government plans to provide incentives for local companies to establish rare earth processing and magnet production facilities [2][3]. - A "Critical Minerals Excellence Center" has been established to support technology development and monitoring of mineral resources [11]. Group 2: Industry Developments - Sona Comstar, India's largest rare earth magnet importer, plans to produce magnets domestically, responding to government policies [3]. - The Indian automotive industry is facing challenges due to shortages of rare earth components, leading to potential delays in electric vehicle production [8][10]. - The Indian government has canceled import duties on 12 types of critical mineral waste to boost recycling efforts and increase the recovery rate of rare earth elements [11]. Group 3: Challenges and Bottlenecks - India faces significant challenges in developing its rare earth industry, including technological shortfalls, high production costs, and a lack of a complete supply chain [8][10]. - The country has only explored less than 20% of its rare earth reserves, and the existing regulatory and refining technologies hinder industry growth [8][10]. - The cost of developing new mines is estimated between 40 billion to 80 billion rupees, with a preparation period of up to ten years [9]. Group 4: International Collaborations - India is actively seeking international partnerships for mineral exploration and production, including projects in Africa, South America, and Australia [12][13]. - The country has signed agreements with Malawi and Chile to enhance its rare earth and lithium resource capabilities [13]. - India is also exploring deep-sea mining opportunities in the Pacific Ocean to secure additional mineral resources [12].