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The Kerala government has permitted () to pursue value addition of monazite, a mineral abundant in the state. Monazite contains valuable Rare Earth Oxides and thorium, a prescribed substance under the , requiring (DAE) approval for handling.
UPSC frequently tests the distribution of key natural resources. Monazite is a reddish-brown phosphate mineral that is the primary source of rare earth elements (REEs) and thorium. In India, it is predominantly found in the coastal placer deposits (beach sands). Kerala possesses significant reserves, estimated at 1.9 million tonnes in this article, concentrated along its southern coast. The presence of thorium is critical; India has some of the world's largest thorium reserves, which form the bedrock of its long-term nuclear energy strategy. Understanding the geographical spread of these deposits—primarily in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha—is essential for Prelims.
The push for value addition by KMML is a crucial shift from merely extracting and exporting raw minerals to processing them domestically to create higher-value products. Rare Earth Elements extracted from monazite are critical for modern technologies, including electronics, renewable energy (like wind turbines), and defense equipment. By moving up the value chain, state-owned enterprises can increase revenue, create skilled employment, and reduce India's reliance on imports (currently dominated by China) for these critical minerals. This aligns with national objectives of self-reliance and boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities in strategic sectors.
The regulatory framework governing radioactive materials is a key area for GS Paper 3. Because monazite contains thorium, it is classified as a 'prescribed substance' under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. This means its mining, handling, and processing are strictly regulated by the central government through the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The article notes that currently, only KMML (a state PSU) and Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) (a central PSU under DAE) have permission to mine and handle it. This highlights the concept of cooperative federalism in resource management; while the state owns the minerals, the strategic and sensitive nature of radioactive elements necessitates central oversight and permissions.