DAE identifies atomic mineral reserves in AP

New Delhi, May 15: Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) has identified resources of 61.22 Million tonnes (MT) of Iimenite in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh (AP), announced Mines Minister Sis Ram Ola in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

He said the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has explored the resources of Titanium namely Iimenite, the main mineral of Titanium metal, rutile and Leucoxene in the north coastal part of AP.

Mr Ola admitted that experts have pointed out that the entire east coast, right from Srikakulam to south coast is rich in rare minerals.

AMD has identified a number of deposits containing rare minerals along the 982 Km coastline from Srikakulam in north to Tamil Nadu border in the south, he said.

The total Titanium mineral potential of Andhra Pradesh is estimated to be around 153.7 MT comprising 139.73 MT of Iimenite, 8.78 MT of Rutile and 5.20 MT of Leucoxene.

Mr Ola said under the Beach Sand Mineral Policy notified by DAE on October 1998, the Government has allowed private sector participation for exploration of Titanium bearing minerals in beach sand for better utilisation of the reserves.

UNI