Score:
8.5/15
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Topper’s Copy
GS3
Environment & Ecology
15 marks
Andhra Pradesh’s coastal belt has emerged as a strategic hub for rare earth elements (REEs) in India. Discuss the significance of these deposits for India’s clean energy, defence and high-technology sectors. Also examine the challenges associated with their exploitation and suggest a way forward.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Significance of AP's REE deposits for clean energy, defence, and high-tech sectors
- Challenges in exploiting these deposits
- Way forward with actionable suggestions
What you wrote:
Andhra Pradesh coastal belt post Rare Earth deposit discovery termed as "The Rare Earth corridor of India". From Srikakulam in the north to Nellore in the south of AP coast home to many Rare Earth Elements.
Andhra Pradesh coastal belt post Rare Earth deposit discovery termed as "The Rare Earth corridor of India". From Srikakulam in the north to Nellore in the south of AP coast home to many Rare Earth Elements.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could begin with India's current REE import dependency (e.g., "India imports over 90% of its REE requirements despite having the world's fifth-largest reserves, making AP's coastal deposits strategically critical for reducing import dependence")
- Can briefly contextualize AP's share in national reserves before diving into sectoral significance
What you wrote:
Significance of these REE
A) Clean Energy: help Achieve Net Zero by 2070 of India.
1) Nuclear Energy: AP is home to 31% of India's monazite Reserves with high grade purity. critical for India's III Stage Nuclear project involving Thorium.
2) EV & Wind Energy: Neodymium, praseodymium vital for NdFeB magnet motors for both EV & Wind turbine major manufacturing.
B) Defence Sectors. (REE - Vitamin for Arms)
1) Missile tech: "Samarium" used in Heat seeking and precision striking missile tech.
2) Jet engine: "Rhenium" & Yttrium" → used for extreme temperature resilient super Alloys & crucial for India's Kaveri Engine project.
C) High tech Sector:
1) Satellite & Communication: "Lanthanides" in Communication devices
2) Optical Fibre Cable: → Better, Indigenous, Atmanirbhar 5G-6G transition
Significance of these REE
A) Clean Energy: help Achieve Net Zero by 2070 of India.
1) Nuclear Energy: AP is home to 31% of India's monazite Reserves with high grade purity. critical for India's III Stage Nuclear project involving Thorium.
2) EV & Wind Energy: Neodymium, praseodymium vital for NdFeB magnet motors for both EV & Wind turbine major manufacturing.
B) Defence Sectors. (REE - Vitamin for Arms)
1) Missile tech: "Samarium" used in Heat seeking and precision striking missile tech.
2) Jet engine: "Rhenium" & Yttrium" → used for extreme temperature resilient super Alloys & crucial for India's Kaveri Engine project.
C) High tech Sector:
1) Satellite & Communication: "Lanthanides" in Communication devices
2) Optical Fibre Cable: → Better, Indigenous, Atmanirbhar 5G-6G transition
Suggestions to improve:
- Can expand high-tech applications with examples (e.g., "Europium and Terbium are critical for manufacturing OLED displays used in smartphones and advanced electronics, supporting India's $300 billion electronics manufacturing target under PLI schemes")
- Could mention strategic autonomy angle (e.g., "Reducing dependence on Chinese REE imports enhances India's bargaining power in geopolitical negotiations, especially given supply disruptions during the 2010 Senkaku Islands dispute")
What you wrote:
Challenges
1) Technological gap
→ mid stream gap: Indian Extraction/metalisation sector is weak to counter Lanthanide Contraction during Thorium Extraction
→ metal to magnet gap too exist.
2) Environmental pollution:
→ Radioactive leak similar to Chavara & Kerala
→ Risk of Radioactive contamination
→ Red mud seepage Risk into ground water
→ Habitat loss (for Olive Ridley turtles), CRZ violation.
3) Social Challenges
→ Resistance from locals, similar to Srikakulam Beach sand mining resisted by locals.
→ Need social acceptance
4) Geopolitical challenges:
→ China holding 90% of REE market Supply might adopt predatory pricing to reduce Demand for Indian REE
Challenges
1) Technological gap
→ mid stream gap: Indian Extraction/metalisation sector is weak to counter Lanthanide Contraction during Thorium Extraction
→ metal to magnet gap too exist.
2) Environmental pollution:
→ Radioactive leak similar to Chavara & Kerala
→ Risk of Radioactive contamination
→ Red mud seepage Risk into ground water
→ Habitat loss (for Olive Ridley turtles), CRZ violation.
3) Social Challenges
→ Resistance from locals, similar to Srikakulam Beach sand mining resisted by locals.
→ Need social acceptance
4) Geopolitical challenges:
→ China holding 90% of REE market Supply might adopt predatory pricing to reduce Demand for Indian REE
Suggestions to improve:
- Can explain China's market dominance mechanism (e.g., "China's state-subsidized REE production allows selling below cost, making Indian extraction economically unviable without policy support like Production Linked Incentives")
- Could detail social dimensions (e.g., "AP's coastal belt supports 2.5 lakh fishing families whose traditional livelihoods face disruption from mining activities, requiring comprehensive compensation and alternative employment mechanisms")
- Can mention regulatory challenges (e.g., "Overlapping jurisdiction between Union and State governments under MMDR Act creates approval delays, with environmental clearances taking 3-4 years on average")
What you wrote:
Way forward:
1) Technological gap be filled:
→ Cooperation with Mineral Supplier group MSG for tech transfer Eg. IREL & Pvt Player cooperation for efficient processing.
2) Environmental pollution
→ Explore deep sea mining of Deep sea metalling Nodules, prevent coastal pollution
→ R&D on Bio mining to Bio leach REE.
3) Governance Related:
→ Implement MMDR 2023 Amendment swiftly. Transparent, Accountable Implement. of Rehab. program
4) International
→ Quad supply group for REE. to counter Chinese market Distorting tactics.
Way forward:
1) Technological gap be filled:
→ Cooperation with Mineral Supplier group MSG for tech transfer Eg. IREL & Pvt Player cooperation for efficient processing.
2) Environmental pollution
→ Explore deep sea mining of Deep sea metalling Nodules, prevent coastal pollution
→ R&D on Bio mining to Bio leach REE.
3) Governance Related:
→ Implement MMDR 2023 Amendment swiftly. Transparent, Accountable Implement. of Rehab. program
4) International
→ Quad supply group for REE. to counter Chinese market Distorting tactics.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can propose specific institutional mechanisms (e.g., "Establishing a National REE Processing Centre in AP modeled on CSIR-IMMT's success with chromite processing, with 50% Central funding and private sector participation")
- Could suggest fiscal instruments (e.g., "Extending concessional customs duty exemptions under the Rare Earths Policy 2022 for downstream processing units setting up in AP's coastal districts")
- Can recommend Environmental Management Plans (e.g., "Mandatory zero-liquid discharge systems and radioactive waste containment protocols similar to Department of Atomic Energy's Jaduguda uranium mines standards")
What you wrote:
Through these AP has not just become a REE Hub but a geopolitical leverage for India.
Through these AP has not just become a REE Hub but a geopolitical leverage for India.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could provide a forward-looking conclusion (e.g., "With balanced environmental safeguards and technology partnerships, AP's REE corridor can position India as a reliable alternative supplier in global supply chains, advancing both Atmanirbhar Bharat and climate commitments")
- Can end with a transformative vision (e.g., "Sustainable exploitation of AP's REE deposits represents not just economic opportunity but a strategic imperative for India's transition from raw material exporter to high-value technology producer")
Your answer demonstrates strong technical knowledge with excellent use of specific elements and projects. The sector-wise significance is well-structured. However, the high-tech sector dimension needs expansion, social challenges require deeper treatment, and a proper conclusion is completely missing. Focus on completing all question demands with balanced elaboration across sections.
Demand of the Question
- Significance of AP's REE deposits for clean energy, defence, and high-tech sectors
- Challenges in exploiting these deposits
- Way forward with actionable suggestions
What you wrote:
Andhra Pradesh coastal belt post Rare Earth deposit discovery termed as "The Rare Earth corridor of India". From Srikakulam in the north to Nellore in the south of AP coast home to many Rare Earth Elements.
Andhra Pradesh coastal belt post Rare Earth deposit discovery termed as "The Rare Earth corridor of India". From Srikakulam in the north to Nellore in the south of AP coast home to many Rare Earth Elements.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could begin with India's current REE import dependency (e.g., "India imports over 90% of its REE requirements despite having the world's fifth-largest reserves, making AP's coastal deposits strategically critical for reducing import dependence")
- Can briefly contextualize AP's share in national reserves before diving into sectoral significance
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