InfoSAWIT, KUALA LUMPUR – A new opportunity is emerging beneath oil palm plantations, as rare earth elements (REE) deposits worth an estimated RM747 billion come into focus.

Speaking at the 37th Palm & Lauric Oils Price Outlook Conference (POC 2026), IRGA Chairman and RSPO Advisor M.R. Chandran highlighted the potential of REE mining within oil palm estates.

REE consists of 17 metallic elements essential for modern technologies, including electric vehicle batteries and advanced electronics.

A study by Malaysia’s Department of Minerals and Geoscience estimates national reserves at 18.9 million tonnes of total rare earth oxides (TREO).

“A significant portion of these deposits is located within oil palm plantation areas,” Chandran said.

This overlap presents a unique opportunity for dual land use—combining agriculture and mining—without expanding land use.

However, Chandran emphasized the need for sustainable mining practices, regulatory clarity, and environmentally responsible extraction technologies. (T2)