Anantapur, Apr 4 (KNN) In Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh large deposits of 15 rare earth elements (REE) have been found by the Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), reported TOI.

These elements are critical components in a variety of daily-use and industrial applications, from cellphones and TVs to computers and automobiles.

NGRI scientists made the significant discovery of the minerals in the lanthanide series when they were conducting a survey for non-traditional rocks like syenites.

The elements identified included allanite, ceriate, thorite, columbite, tantalite, apatite, zircon, monazite, pyrochlore euxenite and fluorite.

NGRI scientist PV Sunder Raju said zircon of varying shapes was observed in Anantapur.

“The monazite grains showed high-order multiple colours with radial cracks within grains, suggestive of the presence of radioactive elements,” he added.

To learn more these REEs additional feasibility studies will be conducted by deep-drilling.

These elements are also used in clean energy, aerospace, defence and in manufacturing permanent magnets - a key component of modern electronics - wind turbines, jet aircraft and several other products.

REEs are widely used in high technology because of their luminescent and catalytic properties.

The assessment of REEs with implications for metallogeny is now under way at alkaline syenite complexes in Andhra, NGRI scientists said.  (KNN Bureau)