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APMDC plans mineral separation plant in Srikakulam district
The Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) has decided to set up mineral separation plant in Srikakulam, at an estimated cost of Rs 600 crore, to bring value addition to the minerals in the sand.
** Findings point out that the beach sand in the coastal district is rich in mineral composition
** The aim is to take leverage of the same to increase the revenue of APMDC by selling it in the market
Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) has decided to set up mineral separation plant in Srikakulam, at an estimated cost of Rs 600 crore, to bring value addition to the minerals in the sand.
Researchers found that the beach sand in Srikakulam has 21 per cent of minerals. The aim is to harness this advantage to increase the revenue for the APMDC by selling it in the market.
The APMDC is borrowing the idea from its Kerala counterpart which had already set up mineral separation plants to get more revenue. Following the same, the APMDC will set up the similar venture for the first time in the State.
The officials have already begun preparatory work and are waiting for environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests with regard to Coastal Regulatory Zone and necessary permission from the State government.
Once all permits are in place, officials are fully geared up to start the plant. The officials have already applied for necessary permission to quarry the beach sand.
The APMDC will invest 20 per cent of the total cost and raise the remaining amount in the form of bank loans for the purpose. The officials are ready to acquire 10 to 20 acres for the project.
They are ready to provide alternative employment to the fishermen families, who would be eventually affected by the facility.
Research wing of APMDC found that beach sand in Srikakulam contains 21 per cent minerals, where as in Kakinada beach it is 12 per cent and it is in Machilipatnam beach it is 10 per cent. Hence, the decision to set up the plant in Srikakulam.
The beach sand contains Ilmenite, Sillimanite, Monazite, Zirkan among other minerals.
They will separate the minerals and sell it to get value addition. Zirkan is being sold at Rs. 70,000 per tonne. APMDC will extract Titanium from Ilmenite and prepare Titanium dioxide for which there is great demand in the open market. At present one tonne Titanium dioxide is being sold at Rs. 1.5 lakh per tonne. It is used in the paint manufacturing industry.
If Monazite is found in the minerals separation, it would be handed over to the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Research and Exploration or Nuclear Fuel Complex. It would be used in preparing Thorium, which in turn would be used as nuclear fuel in nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, APMDC general manger M V Prasad said: “The APMDC is waiting for permissions to start the mineral separation plant. We have funds to set up the unit. There is demand for Titanium dioxide in the market.”
