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Germanium: Strategic Semiconductor Mineral in Global Spotlight

India has recently raised concerns with China over its export restrictions on germanium, a critical mineral vital to modern technologies. With China producing nearly 70% of the world’s germanium, these curbs raise both economic and strategic alarms for import-dependent countries like India.


What is Germanium?

  • Category: A silvery-white metalloid — has properties of both metals and non-metals.

  • Rarity: Found in low concentrations; not mined directly but typically extracted as a by-product of zinc refining and from coal fly ash.

  • Primary Ores: Germanite and Argyrodite.


Key Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Brittle and lustrous in nature.

  • Transparent to infrared radiation – makes it valuable for military and space optics.

  • Possesses a high refractive index, useful in advanced optical applications.


Applications of Germanium

  • Semiconductors: An essential material for transistors and diodes, particularly for high-speed electronics.

  • Fiber Optics: Enhances transmission of light through optical fibers.

  • Infrared Optics: Used in night-vision devices, sensors, and thermal imaging.

  • Solar Cells: High-efficiency space solar panels use germanium substrates.

  • Catalysts: Applied in polymerization processes.


Geopolitical and Strategic Relevance

  • Global Dependency: China produced 68% of global germanium in 2023, asserting dominance in rare critical minerals.

  • India’s Position:

    • 100% import-dependent.

    • Currently lacks domestic production or reserves of germanium.

    • Reliance on imports increases vulnerability to supply chain disruptions.

  • China’s Export Controls (including gallium, another critical mineral) are viewed by experts as geostrategic tools to assert technological supremacy and retaliate against export restrictions placed by Western nations.


UPSC-Relevant Insights

  • Germanium is on the list of critical minerals identified by several countries including the US and EU, due to its high-tech utility and supply risk.

  • India's Critical Mineral Strategy (2023) includes germanium among minerals to be secured via international partnerships, strategic reserves, and exploration efforts.


UPSC Prelims Question

Consider the following statements about Germanium:

  1. It is primarily extracted from germanium-rich veins as a standalone mineral.

  2. India has substantial domestic reserves of germanium.

  3. Germanium is used in both fiber optics and solar cell technologies.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3


Correct Answer: (b) 3 only

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is incorrect: Germanium is not mined directly but recovered as a by-product of zinc processing and coal combustion.

  • Statement 2 is incorrect: India has no known reserves and is fully import-dependent.

  • Statement 3 is correct: It is used in fiber optics and high-efficiency solar panels.


UPSC Mains Question

"Critical minerals are the new oil in the age of digital and green transitions." Discuss this statement in the context of India's germanium dependency and global supply vulnerabilities. (GS Paper 3)


 
 
 

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