<h1>Head of state urges national self-reliance in rare earth production to secure semiconductors, clean energy, defense supply chains</h1> The head of state urged national self-reliance in production of rare earth elements, citing geopolitical risks and strategic importance for sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy and defense. The statement advocates development of indigenous extraction and processing techniques, sustainable mining practices, and recovery from mine tailings. The mines ministry's commitment to AI, machine learning and drone surveys was highlighted, alongside a call for geoscience research and early-warning technologies for natural disasters. The remarks have regulatory and industrial policy implications for mineral resource strategy, technological investment, and disaster-risk management initiatives.