JAIPUR, JUL 29 (PTI): Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to execute an exploration licence for rare earth elements (REE), marking a significant step towards boosting critical mineral exploration, officials said on Wednesday. “This marks a historic initiative in the exploration of rare earth elements and associated minerals in the country,” an official statement said. The exploration licence has been granted to Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited, with whom the state’s mines and geology department has executed the agreement. Additional Chief Secretary (Mines) Aparna Arora said that with this development, Rajasthan has become the first state to operationalise an auctioned exploration licence block in the country. Officials added that the initiative reflects the state government’s focus on developing a transparent and investment-friendly mining sector while advancing India’s goals in critical mineral security.