Andhra CM Naidu orders statewide mineral mapping to identify valuable deposits

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to carry out statewide mineral mapping to identify valuable deposits, promote mineral value addition, strengthen mining regulation, improve sand monitoring, and explore opportunities to boost revenue and employment through mineral resources

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday directed officials to undertake a comprehensive survey of the state’s mineral resources to identify valuable deposits.

Reviewing the performance of the Mines Department at his camp office, the CM emphasised promoting value addition through mineral processing.

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“Naidu directed officials to undertake comprehensive mineral mapping across the state to identify valuable mineral deposits,” a press release quoted the CM as saying.

According to Naidu, the state’s vast mineral wealth offers significant opportunities for value creation and commercialisation.

He suggested that the state-owned Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation explore avenues to monetise valuable mineral assets and directed officials to undertake a detailed study with the assistance of experts, the release said.

Naidu said substantial revenue could be generated by adding value to minerals such as beach sand, rare earth minerals, iron ore, manganese and alumina.

He noted that several Indian states have achieved revenue surpluses primarily through mineral-based income and called for a comprehensive policy focused on mineral value addition.

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

The TDP supremo also proposed establishing a rare earth minerals cluster covering Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Kerala.

He directed officials to assess reserves of high-value minerals such as titanium, ilmenite and monazite.

These minerals, particularly monazite, are important sources of rare earth elements used in manufacturing electronics, high-performance magnets and other advanced products.

They have strategic applications in sectors such as nuclear energy and national security, Naidu said.

Emphasising the state’s potential for gold mining, the CM pointed to the gold reserves at Jonnagiri and Chigurugunta and directed officials to study the remaining mineral blocks for future exploration.

Officials informed the CM that 126 locations containing critical, bulk and other valuable minerals had already been identified across the state.

They reported an 18 per cent increase in mining revenue through improved mining operations, the press release said.

Naidu instructed officials to ensure strict regulation of mining activities and maximise revenue from the state’s mineral resources.

He ordered comprehensive monitoring of sand mining and supply through advanced technology, including the installation of CCTV cameras at sand reaches, the use of satellite imagery for regular analysis, and GPS tracking of vehicles transporting sand.

The CM observed that the government has foregone nearly Rs 1,000 crore in annual revenue by providing sand free of cost for the benefit of the public.

Naidu instructed officials to ensure that the free sand policy is implemented transparently so that people receive its intended benefits without misuse.