Naidu Calls For Value Addition To Beach Sand Minerals

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for value addition to beach sand minerals available in Andhra Pradesh and stressed the need to manufacture value-added products within the state to reduce dependence on other countries for rare earth minerals.

A delegation led by Karan Adani, managing director of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, met Naidu at the Secretariat on Wednesday and briefed him on the proposed titanium plant to be set up by the Adani Group in Srikakulam district at an investment of `16,000 crore.

The delegation also briefed the Chief Minister on beach sand mining, products that could be manufactured from the minerals, their applications in various sectors and market demand.

The representatives explained the timeline available for beach sand mining and the scope for value addition through the production of titanium slag, titanium dioxide and titanium sponge.

Naidu stressed the need to manufacture value-added products within the state to maximise the economic benefits from its mineral resources. He said beach sand minerals should not be viewed merely as resources to be extracted, but as the basis for developing an integrated value chain that would benefit the state and the country.

He also stressed the adoption of advanced technologies in the sector.