Rare-Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs)

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Mines Minister announced that India will begin rare-earth magnet production in 2026 and set up critical mineral parks in four states.

• Rare-earth permanent magnets – They are among the strongest variants of magnets.
• Made from rare-earth element alloys with high magnetic strength and energy density.
  • Not geologically rare but difficult to mine and process, making them strategically important.
• Key Features
• High Magnetic Strength – Ability to strongly attract or repel other magnets.
• Due to the unpaired electrons in rare earth elements, producing strong magnetic fields.
• High Coercivity – Resistance to demagnetization which is caused by high magnetocrystalline anisotropy (strong atomic alignment).
• High Energy Product – Indicates magnetic energy stored in the magnet, as they are compact but powerful magnets.
• Types 

Manufacturing Process of REPMs

• Mining and Refining – Rare earth minerals like bastnäsite, monazite and xenotime are mined and processed through crushing, grinding and chemical leaching to extract rare earth elements.
• Alloying – Rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium are mixed with iron, boron and cobalt to form magnetic alloys.
• Sintering – The alloyed material is heated without melting to strengthen the magnet and improve corrosion resistance.
• Magnetising – The magnets are exposed to a strong magnetic field to align magnetic domains and make them permanently magnetic.

The critical mineral processing parks will be set up in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

• Applications – EV and industrial motors, generators, wind turbines, aerospace and military systems, medical devices (MRI, NMR).
• In electronics (hard disks, speakers, headphones), robotics, cryogenic refrigeration, and specialised high-field magnetic applications.
• Significance – Rare earth magnets boost India’s autonomy by powering EVs, defence, and clean energy, while supporting Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and a circular economy through recycling.

Quick Fact

References

1. TH | Rare-Earth Permanent Magnet
2. Sathee | Ministry of Education | Physics Rare Earth Magnets