Govt. to encourage value-added products from mineral sand

Thiruvananthapuram, June 22 (UNI) Kerala Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem today said the government's policy was to produce value-added products from mineral sand instead of exporting it in raw form.

However, the government would not allow mining, if it affected the environment, he said, replying to questions in the State Assembly.

Currently two public sector companies, the Indian Rare Earths Limited and the Kerala Minerals and Metals, were engaged in sand mining in the state. Eventhough four more companies had sought permission for mining, the government had not given permission so far, he added.

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