Amaravati, June 30 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday proposed establishing a cluster of rare-earth mineral deposits.

He directed officials to take up comprehensive mineral mapping across the state to identify valuable mineral deposits. He also emphasised the importance of promoting value addition through mineral processing.

Reviewing the performance of the Mines Department at his official residence, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh’s vast mineral wealth offers significant opportunities for market capitalisation.

The Chief Minister proposed establishing a cluster for rare-earth minerals in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala. He instructed officials to assess reserves of high-value minerals such as titanium, ilmenite and monazite.

These rare earth minerals are essential for manufacturing electronics, magnets, and other advanced products, while also playing a strategic role in sectors such as nuclear energy and national security, he said.

Chandrababu Naidu suggested that the state-owned Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) explore avenues for market capitalisation of valuable mineral assets and directed officials to undertake a detailed study with the assistance of experts.

The Chief Minister noted that substantial revenue could be generated by adding value to minerals such as beach sand, rare-earth minerals, iron ore, manganese, and alumina. He observed that several Indian states have achieved revenue surpluses primarily through mineral-based income and called for a comprehensive policy focused on mineral value addition.

He stressed that processing and value addition should take place within Andhra Pradesh to maximise economic benefits and generate employment.

Highlighting the state’s potential in gold mining, the Chief Minister pointed out the gold reserves at Jonnagiri and Chigurugunta in Chittoor district and directed officials to study the remaining mineral blocks for future exploration.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that 126 locations containing critical, bulk and other valuable minerals have already been identified across the state. They also reported an 18 per cent increase in mining revenue due to improved operations.

In response to the presentation, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure strict regulation of mining activities and to maximise revenue from the state’s mineral resources.

He also ordered comprehensive monitoring of sand mining and supply through advanced technology. This includes installing CCTV cameras at sand reaches, using satellite imagery for regular analysis, and implementing GPS tracking for sand transport vehicles.

The Chief Minister observed that the government has foregone nearly Rs 1,000 crore in annual revenue by providing sand free of cost to the public. He instructed officials to ensure that the free sand policy is implemented transparently and that the public receives its intended benefits without misuse.

Minister for Mines Kollu Ravindra, Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad, Principal Secretaries Mukesh Kumar Meena (Mines) and Piyush Kumar (Finance), and other senior officials were present.

–IANS

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