Pakistan’s Rare Earth Metals

Rare earth metals, also known as rare earth elements (REEs) or rare earths, are a group of 17 chemically similar elements found in the periodic table. They are crucial for modern technologies but are not necessarily rare in abundance—rather, they are rarely found in economically exploitable concentrations.

Recent studies conducted by the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) suggest that Pakistan holds promising reserves of strategic minerals, including thorium, uranium, and rare earth elements (REEs). Preliminary geological assessments have identified regions such as Chagai in Balochistan, Dir, Swat, and Kohistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as potentially rich in REE-bearing rocks like granites, pegmatites, and metamorphic complexes. Additionally, the coastal beach sands of Sindh and Balochistan are believed to contain deposits of monazite, a mineral known to host light and heavy rare earth elements, similar to the productive coastal sands exploited in India and Sri Lanka. These findings point to a largely untapped resource base that could position Pakistan as a future player in the global rare earth supply chain—if explored and developed strategically.

Himalayan and Hindukush regions, along with Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, are rich in a variety of igneous and metamorphic rocks, the type commonly associated with REE-bearing minerals like monazite, xenotime, and bastnäsite.

Speculative Rare Earth Zones in Pakistan

Speculative Rare Earth Element (REE) Zones in Pakistan

The 17 Rare Earth Elements:

1. The 15 Lanthanides:

These are elements with atomic numbers 57 to 71:

1. Lanthanum (La)
2. Cerium (Ce)
3. Praseodymium (Pr)
4. Neodymium (Nd)
5. Promethium (Pm) – radioactive and very rare
6. Samarium (Sm)
7. Europium (Eu)
8. Gadolinium (Gd)
9. Terbium (Tb)
10. Dysprosium (Dy)
11. Holmium (Ho)
12. Erbium (Er)
13. Thulium (Tm)
14. Ytterbium (Yb)
15. Lutetium (Lu)

2. Scandium (Sc) – atomic number 21

3. Yttrium (Y) – atomic number 39

Although not lanthanides, these two are grouped with REEs because they have similar chemical properties and tend to occur in the same mineral deposits.

Key Characteristics:

• Silvery-white, soft, and malleable metals
• Tend to tarnish in air and are reactive with water and acids
• Typically found together in ores, such as bastnäsite, monazite, and xenotime

Uses of Rare Earth Metals:

Strategic Importance:

• Critical for green energy (e.g., wind turbines, electric vehicles)
• Vital to defense systems (e.g., radar, guidance systems)
• Used in smartphones, computers, and satellites

Supply Concerns:

• Though not geologically rare, they are hard to mine and separate economically.
• China dominates global production, leading to geopolitical concerns about supply security.

Here is a breakdown of the sources of rare earth elements (REEs), including major mineral ores and top-producing countries:

Major Mineral Sources of Rare Earths

Rare earth elements are not typically found as pure metals in nature. Instead, they occur in mineral ores that contain several REEs together. The most common REE-bearing minerals include:

Classification: Light vs Heavy REEs

Top Rare Earth Producing Countries (2024 Estimates)

Emerging & Strategic Sources

• Greenland – Large untapped reserves (Kvanefjeld project)
• Canada – Advanced exploration at Nechalacho and Ashram
• Vietnam – Considerable reserves, low production currently
• Africa (e.g., Burundi, South Africa) – Rich in monazite sands

Note on Refining Bottleneck

While many countries mine rare earth ores, China dominates refining, with over 85–90% of global REE separation and processing capacity.

Here is a draft Pakistan–US Rare Earth Elements (REEs) Deal Report based on your provided information and the broader geopolitical context:

Pakistan–US Strategic Minerals Initiative

Field Marshal Sayed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, arrived in Washington on Sunday, June 15, 2025, for a five-day high-level visit aimed at reinforcing military and strategic cooperation between Islamabad and Washington. While diplomatic sources have emphasized the bilateral nature of the trip, the timing—closely following the US Army’s 250th anniversary on June 14—is notable.

Though not officially linked to the celebrations, analysts suggest the visit reflects a broader recalibration of the Pakistan–US strategic framework, including discussions on critical mineral cooperation, particularly in the field of rare earth elements (REEs).

Strategic Context

Rare earth elements are indispensable to high-technology industries, including:

• Defense systems (e.g., guided missiles, stealth tech)
• Renewable energy (wind turbines, EVs)
• Electronics (chips, batteries, smartphones)

Currently, China controls over 85% of the global REE refining capacity, which has triggered strategic urgency in the US to diversify supply sources. Pakistan, with untapped geological potential in regions like Chagai (Balochistan), Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is now being viewed as a possible emerging partner in the REE supply chain.

Key Developments in the Visit

Strategic Minerals Dialogue (Unofficial Sources)

• According to diplomatic insiders, preliminary frameworks for REE exploration and export cooperation were quietly introduced during this visit.
• These include:
  • Joint geological surveys involving USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) and Pakistan’s GSP.
  • Technology transfer and capacity building in mineral processing and environmental safety.
  • Establishment of exclusive zones in Chagai and Kohistan for mineral development under civil-military oversight.
  • Consideration of long-term mineral supply agreements to US defense and tech contractors.

Military-Industrial Engagement

• While the visit is being described as “primarily bilateral and strategic,” analysts believe the REE dialogue forms part of a broader military-industrial package, possibly tied to:
  • Defense procurement offsets
  • Support for Pakistan’s economic recovery via resource-backed lending
  • Integration into US-led alternative supply chains, bypassing China

Potential Benefits for Pakistan

• Economic Diversification: Entry into the REE export market could bolster foreign reserves.
• Technology Access: Exposure to advanced mining and refining technologies.
• Strategic Leverage: Greater relevance in US Indo-Pacific strategy, potentially easing pressure from IMF and other economic forums.
• Regional Balancing: Positioning Pakistan as a non-Chinese supplier of critical materials could allow nuanced diplomacy with both East and West.

The Mining of Rare Earth Metals

The mining and processing of rare earth elements (REEs) is a complex, multi-stage operation that requires both geological precision and environmental management. Here’s a breakdown of the typical REE mining process:

1. Exploration and Prospecting

• Objective: Identify locations with economically viable concentrations of REEs.
• Methods:
  • Geophysical surveys (magnetic, radiometric)
  • Geochemical sampling
  • Core drilling and trenching
• Target minerals:
  • Light REEs: monazite, bastnäsite
  • Heavy REEs: xenotime, ion-adsorption clays

2. Mining Operations

A. Open-Pit Mining

• Used when deposits are near the surface (e.g., bastnäsite in carbonatites).
• Involves the removal of overburden, followed by blasting and ore removal.

B. Underground Mining

• Used for deeper deposits (less common for REEs).

C. In-situ Leaching (for ion-adsorption clays)

• Injecting chemical solutions (often ammonium sulfate) into ore-bearing clays and pumping out the leachate.

3. Crushing and Grinding

• Purpose: Reduce ore size for mineral liberation.
• Ore is crushed and then ground into a fine powder to release REE minerals from the surrounding rock.

4. Concentration (Beneficiation)

• Physical and chemical separation to isolate REE minerals from gangue.
• Common methods:
  • Froth flotation (separates based on surface chemistry)
  • Magnetic separation (REEs are often weakly magnetic)
  • Gravity separation

5. Chemical Processing / Leaching

• Acid leaching (e.g., sulfuric or hydrochloric acid) dissolves REE compounds from the concentrate.
• Solvent extraction separates individual REEs using organic extractants.
• Ion exchange may be used for high-purity separations.

6. Purification and Separation

• REEs are chemically very similar, so separation is difficult and costly.
• Solvent extraction in multiple stages allows for the isolation of:
  • Neodymium (Nd)
  • Praseodymium (Pr)
  • Dysprosium (Dy)
  • Yttrium (Y), etc.

7. Calcination / Final Product

• REE compounds are precipitated (e.g., as oxalates) and then calcined (heated) to produce:
  • Rare earth oxides (REOs)
  • Rare earth metals (via metallothermic reduction or electrolysis)

8. Waste Management

• Challenges:
  • Radioactive by-products (e.g., thorium, uranium)
  • Toxic acid residues
• Safe tailings management, lined ponds, and long-term monitoring are essential to reduce environmental impact.

Summary Flowchart:

Exploration → Mining → Crushing & Grinding → Beneficiation → Chemical Leaching
→ Solvent Extraction → Purification → Calcination → Rare Earth Oxides/Metals
→ Waste Management

Conclusion

Though no formal agreement has been announced yet, Field Marshal Asim Munir’s ongoing visit to Washington marks a significant milestone in Pakistan–US relations. Discussions surrounding rare earth cooperation indicate a pivot from purely military dialogue to strategic economic alignment, with rare earths at the intersection of geopolitics, technology, and resource security.

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