Russia and India Advance Rare Earth Cooperation - Murmansk Talks Extend to NdFeB Magnet Technology

Highlights

• Russian First Deputy PM Manturov confirmed talks on rare earth mining and processing in the Murmansk region, but disclosed no specific deposits or timelines.
• Rosatom's Giredmet has signed agreements with Indian partners TEXMiN and Nexon Geochem covering NdFeB magnet technology, deep processing, high-purity materials, and recycling.
• Nexon Geochem targets an integrated oxide-to-magnet platform with 1,200 tonnes per year of NdFeB capacity by FY2033—a corporate goal, not current output.
• India's strategy is 'option-shoring': building critical mineral relationships across Russia, Japan, Australia, and Europe while developing domestic value-chain capacity.
• Analysts caution that no named deposits, capital commitments, or pilot results have been confirmed, making this strategic architecture rather than bankable supply.