Source: TOI
Subject: Mapping
Context: Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a strategic focus due to its rich rare earth element (REE) reserves along its coastline, crucial for clean energy, defence and semiconductor sectors.
About Andhra’s Rare Earth Corridor:
What it is?
- A continuous belt of rare earth–rich beach sand deposits containing monazite and other heavy minerals.
- Considered one of India’s most valuable underutilised critical mineral zones.
Located in:
- Along Andhra Pradesh’s 974 km coastline, from Srikakulam to Nellore.
- Key sites include Bhimunipatnam, Kalingapatnam, Kakinada, Narsapur, Machilipatnam, Chirala, Vodarevu, Ramayapatnam and Dugarajapatnam.
Key features:
- Rich in monazite, containing 55–60% rare earth oxides and 8–10% thorium.
- Holds a complete suite of light rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, lanthanum and cerium.
- Andhra Pradesh is estimated to possess 30–35% of India’s monazite reserves.
- Supported by expanding infrastructure such as IREL’s monazite processing plant at Gudur (Nellore) and beach sand separation units.
- Backed by policy support through PLI schemes, National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) and mining waste recovery initiatives.
Applications:
- Clean energy: Permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar technologies.
- Defence and space: Missile guidance systems, satellites and advanced optics.
- Electronics and semiconductors: Chips, fibre optics and superconductors.
- Nuclear energy: Thorium for next-generation nuclear reactors.
- Medical technologies: Imaging systems and diagnostic equipment.
