Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited (GMDC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with NMDC Limited (NMDC) to explore strategic collaboration in the rare earth elements sector on 16 March 2026. The agreement was announced in Ahmedabad and reflects both organisations seeking to assess opportunities across the rare earth value chain in the state. The partnership brings together a state enterprise and a central public sector undertaking to leverage complementary institutional strengths. The collaboration will focus on assessing potential development of an integrated rare earth value chain in Gujarat, including exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing and downstream applications. Work under the MoU will primarily explore opportunities associated with GMDC's Ambadungar rare earth deposit while evaluating site potential and resource utilisation pathways. The approach aims to combine technical evaluation with project development planning. Under the terms of the memorandum both organisations will jointly evaluate opportunities for technical collaboration, project development and potential business structures to enable commercialisation. The partnership is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange, coordinated technical evaluation and pooled efforts towards advancing rare earth resource development. Officials indicated that coordinated studies and pilot initiatives will inform subsequent investment decisions. This collaboration forms part of GMDC's broader rare earth development roadmap for the Ambadungar deposit where the corporation has been progressively advancing resource utilisation, indigenous processing capabilities and pilot stage technology validation initiatives. GMDC operates five lignite mines across Kutch, South Gujarat and the Bhavnagar region and is a major merchant seller of lignite. The new engagement with NMDC is intended to accelerate downstream processing capabilities. The initiative aligns with national priorities to strengthen domestic capabilities in critical minerals, reduce import dependence and support downstream industries linked to clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and strategic sectors. The memorandum provides a framework for further technical studies and project definition without committing to immediate capital expenditure. Both entities will continue to assess the roadmap and report progress to stakeholders.