Unearthing Assam: Rare Earth Minerals Bring Big Plan, and Bigger Unrest

Assam, long known for its lush tea gardens, winding rivers, and wildlife-rich forests, is now at the center of India’s next big mining push. A new report by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) reveals that the state is sitting on a vast, largely untapped reserve of minerals- from rare earth elements (REEs) to limestone, iron ore, graphite, vanadium, and silica. These are the very materials the world needs to power electric vehicles, build solar panels, and fuel the green energy revolution.

But what happens when this new economic opportunity meets the complex realities of land, identity, and ecology?

The GSI’s latest “Exploration Blocks Ready for Auction in NER” handbook outlines 38 mineral-rich blocks across the Northeast, and Assam tops the list. The figures are staggering: an estimated 28.8 million tonnes of rare earth-rich syenite in Karbi Anglong, 1,490 million tonnes of limestone in Dima Hasao, and several million tonnes of silica sand in places like Golaghat and Cachar. Some of these areas are already being opened up to companies- blocks have reportedly been auctioned, and exploration is underway.

For India, this is a strategic moment. With global supply chains for rare earths dominated by China, the government is pushing to secure its own sources. Assam’s mineral belt offers just that- a chance to be self-reliant in materials critical for modern technology and energy.

However, on the ground, the story becomes more complicated.

Many of these mineral zones are not empty plots on a map. They’re home to Karbi, Bodo, Adivasi, and other Indigenous and rural communities who’ve lived there for generations. The Samchampi and Samteran hills in Karbi Anglong, where rare earth elements have been found, are also farmlands and forest areas managed by locals. In Dima Hasao, plans for limestone extraction overlap with areas allegedly already facing environmental stress.

Several districts mentioned in the GSI report namely Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar, Golaghat, and Dhubri have already seen corporate interest rise. Cement, biogas, solar, and power projects are reportedly being planned or developed. Companies like Adani, Vedanta, Oil India, and Reliance are allegedly involved in projects either under discussion or already on the ground.

This has sparked land-related tensions. In Kokrajhar’s Parbatjhora, over 1,100 acres have allegedly been acquired for a thermal power plant, displacing many Bodo families. In Dima Hasao, nearly 3,000 acres have reportedly been transferred to Adani for a cement plant. In Karbi Anglong, a biogas project linked to Reliance has drawn opposition from locals who claim they were not properly informed before land was taken.

In some cases, residents allege they were evicted with little notice or compensation. In Lahorijan, near the Assam-Nagaland border, 6,000 acres are reportedly being eyed for a solar park. In Barduar, around 1,500 acres are marked for a satellite township, which would affect more than 2,000 families. In Golaghat, land used by local farmers is reportedly being handed over to Patanjali for oil palm farming. Even in the Kaziranga area, usually known for tourism and conservation, a five-star hotel project has triggered protests from Adivasi families who claim ancestral land rights.

Across multiple eviction drives, the majority of those affected have reportedly been Muslim families. These communities, many with long-standing residence in Assam, allege they received little notice and limited legal recourse.

Here is a snapshot of some of the most significant incidents: In Gorukhuti (Darrang), 2,047 Muslim families were reportedly evicted without any rehabilitation. In Goalpara’s Hasila Bill, 668 families were removed from 495 acres, while in Paikan, thousands were evicted from around 340 acres with no confirmed compensation.

In Chapar (Dhubri), around 1,200 Muslim families were displaced to make way for a thermal power project reportedly linked to Adani. Similar evictions have occurred in Amchang and Shil Sako in Guwahati, and in areas near Kaziranga, affecting both Hindu and Muslim families, many of whom say they were left without support or settlement.

All this raises a pressing question: is Assam prepared for a mining boom?

Infrastructure projects are moving fast. Roads, railway lines, bridges, and inland waterways are being expanded. The Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, India’s longest once complete, will connect Assam to Meghalaya’s limestone-rich regions. Rail connectivity is also being enhanced in mineral districts. While officials say this is meant to improve transport and trade, critics argue it is primarily aimed at easing the movement of extracted minerals from remote areas to national markets.

Meanwhile, military and security presence has increased in some regions. In Dhubri, where iron ore has been found, a permanent army camp is reportedly being planned. Locals are questioning why such deployments are frequently seen near proposed mining zones.

Legal safeguards do exist. Many of these areas fall under special protections like the Sixth Schedule (which grants autonomy to tribal regions), the Forest Rights Act, and tenancy laws meant to protect farmers and Indigenous communities. But activists and legal experts allege these safeguards are being bypassed or diluted when large-scale projects are involved.

This is not a one-sided story. The government argues that these projects will bring much-needed investment, generate employment, and boost Assam’s economy. They say improved infrastructure and electrification will benefit local populations. Some community members too have welcomed development, provided it comes with proper consultation, fair compensation, and minimal displacement.

Still, voices of protest are rising. In Kokrajhar, one man reportedly attempted self-immolation during an eviction. In Palashbari, residents are protesting against land-use changes after over 120 acres of farmland were marked for industrial development. In Mikir Bamuni, families allege that land records were altered behind their backs to transfer ownership to a solar company.

Now, it might be evident enough that Assam has now stepped onto the national stage as a potential mineral powerhouse, but, stands at crossroads. Whether it leads to shared prosperity or spirals into conflict may depend less on the minerals themselves, and perhaps more on how decisions are made, how transparently they’re implemented, and whose voices are heard.

Also Read: Assam's Biggest Eviction Drive for Adani Plant Leaves 20,000 Homeless in Bilasipara