India's Top Rare Earths Miner Has No Full-Time Chairperson

Vacancy at IREL Comes to Light as Automakers Fear Disruptions Due to China's Export Ban

- Ayaan Kartik & Nehal Chaliawala

REL (India) Ltd, a public sector enterprise that produces rare earth elements, does not have a full-time chairperson and managing director (CMD) since December 2024 when Deependra Singh vacated the post after nearly a decade at the helm.

The vacancy comes to light at a time when Indian manufacturers, especially makers of automobiles, fear production disruptions due to China restricting the export of rare earth elements. The Indian government and industry are exploring alternatives to reduce reliance on China for these elements that go into several electronic components, particularly motors that drive electric vehicles.

Currently, the position of CMD is shown as vacant on the website of IREL (Indian Rare Earths Limited). S.B. Mohanty, the company's director of finance, has taken the interim charge of the CMD office.

The Miniratna firm had put out an advertisement inviting applications for the CMD position in February.