Visakhapatnam: The state-run Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation, which has decided to venture into beach sand mining, is awaiting orders from Union government sanctioning reserves in various parts of the state, other than Srikakulam. Until now it was only along the Srikakulam coast that detailed exploration was done. Beach sand mining has been taking place by private players since sometime.
Other than Srikakulam, these beach sand minerals like ilmenite rutile, which has heavy demand in the global market, are also available in both the Godavari districts, apart from Krishna and Visakhapatnam districts for which detailed exploration need to be taken up. APMDC will take up detailed exploration once the Centre sanctions reserves to the state. Preliminary exploration done by beach sand and offshore investigations group of Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) had confirmed presence of minerals in sand deposits in Machilipatnam of Krishna district, Kakinada of East Godavari district, Narsapur in West Godavari district, Payakaraoepta, Nakkapalli and Yela-manchili in Visakhapatnam district.
“We are awaiting necessary orders on sanctioning of these reserves from various Union government agencies, especially the AMD to take up detailed exploration. Once we get the nod from the Centre, it takes at least seven to eight months to complete the detailed exploration after which we can apply for mining licences of specific sites in those districts and call EoI and RFP to pick up joint venture partner to take up mining and also set up mineral separation plants,” APMDC vice-chairman and managing director Venkaiah Chowdary Chirumamilla told this correspondent.
Though APMDC had entered into agreements earlier with Switzerland-based Bothli Trade AG and Chennai-headquartered V.V. Minerals for sand mining in Srikakulam region, both the projects never got off the ground due to unavoidable and varied reasons.
