Archive · 23 Dec 2025
India's Baryte Reserves Depletion Threatens Energy Security
India has a big problem with its baryte reserves.
Baryte is a special mineral needed for oil and gas drilling.
The only big mine in India, in Andhra Pradesh, has seen its reserves drop a lot in the last ten years.
This is because India has been selling a lot of baryte to other countries, especially the United States.
Now, there's not much left, and this could cause problems for India's future oil and gas exploration.
Experts say India needs to stop exporting so much baryte and start saving it for its own use.
They also suggest that India should make a plan to manage the money it makes from selling baryte, so it can focus on saving the mineral instead.
India's only major baryte reserve, located in Andhra Pradesh, has declined from 49 million tonnes in 2015 to under 23 million tonnes in 2024.
Baryte is crucial for oil and gas drilling, and India's exploration programs may face disruptions without a domestic supply.
95% of India's baryte is concentrated in the Mangampet mine, and rapid depletion is driven by high exports, mainly to the United States.
India has become the world's largest exporter of baryte, supplying nearly 44% of U.S. imports, despite holding smaller reserves than major producers.
The report calls for export restrictions, a fiscal transition plan for APMDC's bond obligations, and inclusion of baryte in the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM).
- Who
- Centre for Domestic Economy Policy Research (C-DEP.in)
- What
- Report on depletion of India's baryte reserves threatening energy security
- When
- Report released today
- Where
- Hyderabad/Visakhapatnam, released at IIT Delhi
- Why
- To highlight the risk of exhausting baryte reserves and its impact on India's energy security
- Primary Source
- Mangampet mine in Andhra Pradesh
- Reserves in 2015
- 49 million tonnes
- Reserves in 2024
- Under 23 million tonnes
- Export Destination
- United States
- India's Share of US Baryte Imports
- 44%
- Estimated Required Baryte for Future Exploration
- Over 600 million tonnes
- Report Title
- Analysis of the Impact of Rapid Depletion of Baryte Reserves on Energy Security
- Report Release Location
- IIT Delhi