Amaravati, Aug 12 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday directed officials to focus on value addition to beach sand minerals available in the state and promote advanced technologies to reduce dependence on other countries for rare earth minerals.
A delegation led by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Managing Director Karan Adani met Naidu at the Secretariat and briefed him on the group’s proposed Rs 16,000-crore titanium plant in Srikakulam district, besides beach sand mining, products that can be manufactured from the minerals, their applications and market demand.
“We must focus on adding value to Andhra Pradesh’s beach sand minerals and adopt advanced technologies to reduce the country’s dependence on imports of rare earth minerals,” said Naidu in an official press release.
The Adani Group representatives explained that ilmenite found in beach sand could be processed into titanium slag, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and titanium sponge. Titanium dioxide is used in paints, coatings, cosmetics, plastics and polymers, ultraviolet-protection products and several other industries.
Naidu stressed the need to manufacture value-added products within the state to maximise economic benefits from its mineral resources.
“Beach sand minerals should not be viewed merely as resources to be extracted as raw minerals, but as the foundation for developing an integrated value chain that delivers maximum benefit to Andhra Pradesh and the country,” he said.
The chief minister said Andhra Pradesh should move towards self-reliance in rare earth minerals and directed officials to identify resources available in the state, technologies required for their development and suitable technology partners.
He said mining and development of rare earth minerals should contribute to nation-building while strengthening the state’s economy and directed officials to ensure the entire process served the interests of both the state and the country.
The Adani Group representatives also informed Naidu that the group would establish skill development facilities, Adani University, an international school, a 1,000-bed Adani Aarogya Mandir hospital and a 150-seat medical college in Visakhapatnam.
They also presented details of the master plan for the proposed Adani Data Centre and IT Park in Visakhapatnam. PTI MS ADB
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