Archive · 18 Jul 2026
India's Midwest Ltd secures critical minerals deal with Indonesia
India's private company, Midwest Ltd, has signed a big deal with Indonesia's state-run PERMINAS to get important minerals and rare earths.
This deal will help India make magnets and other things using these minerals.
The plan is to make 5,000 tonnes of oxide and 20,000 tonnes of magnets in four years.
This is important because India needs these minerals for things like defence and other key sectors.
It's also the first time a private Indian company has gotten mines abroad.
The deal was signed when India's Prime Minister was visiting Indonesia.
This is a big step for India to make sure it has enough of these important minerals.
Midwest Ltd, an Indian private company, partnered with Indonesia's PERMINAS to secure critical mineral and rare earth resources.
The deal aims to produce 5,000 tonnes of oxide and 20,000 tonnes of magnets from Indonesian assets within four years.
The MoU was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia, highlighting the importance of diversified and resilient supply chains.
Midwest Energy will start manufacturing rare earth magnets in Hyderabad, contributing to India's downstream value addition.
The deal is crucial for securing heavy rare earths, which are vital for defence and other key sectors, addressing India's reliance on light rare earth resources.
- Who
- Midwest Ltd, Midwest Energy Ltd, NFTDC, PERMINAS
- What
- Signing of a MoU to secure critical mineral and rare earth supply chains
- When
- During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia
- Where
- Indonesia and Hyderabad, India
- Why
- To enhance domestic manufacturing, reduce economic vulnerabilities, and secure heavy rare earths for defence and key sectors
Private Sector Involvement
Public Sector Dominance
Sector Participation
Private Sector Involvement
Private sector companies like Midwest Ltd should be encouraged to participate in overseas mining to diversify supply chains and reduce economic vulnerabilities.
Public Sector Dominance
Public sector companies have traditionally handled overseas mining and should continue to lead to ensure national interests are protected.
- Companies Involved
- Midwest Ltd, Midwest Energy Ltd, NFTDC, PERMINAS
- Production Target
- 5,000 tonnes of oxide and 20,000 tonnes of magnets in four years
- Consortium Value
- $750 million
- Location of Manufacturing
- Hyderabad, India
- Significance
- First private company in India to secure mines abroad
- Rare Earth Types
- Heavy rare earths for defence and key sectors
- Public Sector Companies
- IREL, Kabil, NMDC Ltd, Coal India Ltd, ONGC
- Light Rare Earth Uses
- Two-wheeler and three-wheeler motors, electronics