Enervoxa eyes Indian rare earths plant from red mud, seeks Vedanta, Hindalco, NALCO tie-ups

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Canadian climate technology company Enervoxa is planning to establish a commercial-scale rare earth processing plant in India that would recover critical minerals from red mud, the aluminium waste residue generated during alumina refining. The company is exploring partnerships with Vedanta Aluminium, Hindalco Industries and state-run National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) for the project.

According to Vandit Verma, Enervoxa Chief Executive Officer, the proposed facility would require an investment worth USD 250 million to USD 350 million, developed in eastern India, through a mix of strategic equity and project financing.

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The initiative emerges as countries race for rare earth supply chain diversification amid growing concerns over China’s hegemony in the area. Being the world’s second-largest aluminium producer and third-largest consumer, India, while possessing considerable rare earth reserves, lacks large-scale refining infrastructure for high-purity rare earth elements.

Verma noted that Enervoxa has spent the past eight years developing a proprietary process to extract rare earth concentrates from red mud.

The company plans to engage engineering firms and mineral processors while also seeking support from the Indian government. Verma stated the project could either process red mud entirely within India or produce rare earth concentrates for further refining at a downstream facility.

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Meanwhile, India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC) and stakeholders under NITI Aayog are already conducting research into rare earth enrichment and metal recovery from red mud.

Beyond rare earths, the technology can also recover iron oxide, titanium-bearing materials, pigments and coagulants, supporting a broader critical minerals value chain. Apart from India, Enervoxa is exploring similar opportunities across North America, Southeast Asia and other alumina-producing regions.

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