Hindustan Zinc Secures Gundlupet REE-Yttrium Block-But the Real Story Is 4.19 Million Tonnes of Geological Resource

Sep 3, 2026

3 minute read.

Highlights

  • Hindustan Zinc named preferred bidder for the 314-hectare Gundlupet REE-yttrium block in Karnataka, India.
  • Geological Survey of India work identified 4.19 million tonnes of REO-bearing resource averaging 0.5% TREO—not yet an economic reserve.
  • Karnataka issued a Letter of Intent, not a full mining lease, making headlines about a secured lease premature.
  • HZL's established mining infrastructure and capital base distinguish it from junior explorers, but downstream separation gaps remain.
  • Even a successful mine would only address India's upstream problem; China's advantage in separation, refining, and magnets persists.

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Hindustan Zinc wins preferred bidder status for Karnataka's Gundlupet REE block, but 4.19M tonnes of geological resource is far from a bankable mine or (read full article...)

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