The Hindu Business Line : Kerala not on DAE antenna for N-sites

THE Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has no proposal for setting up a facility in Kerala that is known for its huge reserves of beach sand minerals containing prescribed substances suitable for use in atomic energy and related R&D activities.

Speaking to Business Line, Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, DAE, said the department was currently focussing on the job of completing a string of ongoing projects of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL).

Asked whether the DAE has received any proposal from the Kerala Government on exploiting the thorium potential from the mineral-rich beach sands along its coastline, Dr Kakodkar said, "not to my knowledge. Has to be verified."

On whether mining leases to the private sector would not compromise efforts at conserving the thorium potential, he said all nuclear fuel and nuclear material are completely State-controlled. There is no question of anybody doing anything with it without the State's knowledge.

There are other prescribed substances such as ilmenite and rutile, which, while having strategic uses, are also required in the normal day-to-day life. That is why they have been categorised as prescribed substances. "The point is the country's wealth must be used for its economic development. So, when we're talking about normal policy decisions, we're talking about those substances at large, not something specific as thorium."

The mineral sands belt in the State between Neendakara and Kayamkulam covers a length of 22 km and width of 225 metre and the deposits are said to be of the highest quality because of the high titanium dioxide content in the mineral ilmenite. Out of the total reserve of 1,400 million tonnes of raw sand in Chavara barrier beach, the heavy mineral content is to the tune of 127 m.t. with an ilmenite content of 80 m.t.

The Kollam-to-Kovalam beach houses mineral sands that contain 8-10 per cent thorium oxide. Similarly, in the northern portion beyond Kayamkulam and extending up to Thottappalli in Alappuzha district, the heavy mineral content is estimated at 17 m.t., out of a total raw sand reserve of 242 m.t.

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