Vizag sand to build planes.

bommasaniv · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:13 pm Post subject: Vizag sand to build planes.

Vizag sand to build planes

The sands which beach-goers of the State casually kick around contain precious ilmenite, the most important source of titanium which is used to build aircraft and rockets. This vast reserve will now be exploited by the State.

Experts have pointed out that the entire 950-km east coast, right from Srikakulam bordering Orissa in the north to Nellore near Tamil Nadu in the south, and the stretch between Kakinada and Itchapuram is rich in rare minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, garnet, monazite, silliminate, and zircon. “Ilmenite bears titanium that is used to make aircraft, artillery guns and other defence equipment because it is lightweight and non-corrosive,” said Prof. C. Kasipathi of the department of geology in Andhra University.

Titanium remains intact in any kind of environment, another reason for its use in defence equipment. “There are huge reserves of ilmenite in the beach sands of north coastal Andhra,” he said. Titanium, a strong aluminium-like metal that is light weight and non-corrosive, can withstand high temperatures and melts only at 1,800º Centigrade and is twice as strong as steel. Titanium alloys are used in high tech aircraft parts, missiles, space vehicles and even in surgical implants.

Of the total 375 million tonnes of ilmenite reserves across the country, the State has the largest quantum of 116 million tonnes which has been unexploited so far. There is huge demand for such minerals in the international markets as they are rare. India stands third in the quantity of ilmenite reserves but is only sixth in mining and production. “There are several reasons for this, including lack of political will,” said Mr Kasipathi.

Now things are changing. The AP Mineral Development Corporation has recently signed three MoUs to mine these rare minerals by spending Rs 7,500 crores. APMDC would be getting 26 per cent equity in all the three ventures without any investment. The first MoU with Stork Handlges of Austria and Bothli Trades AG of Switzerland allows the companies to mine 8,237 hectares at Lawsons Bay, Bheemili, Konada, Kandivalasa and Koyyam in Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts, and Bendi, Baruva and Donkur in Srikakulam district.

This is expected to provide jobs to around 20,000 people in north coastal Andhra districts. Another MoU was signed with VV Minerals, which is being allotted 1,500 hectares in Srikakulam district. The third one was signed with Trimax, another local agency, to which 10,000 hectares is being allocated at Kalingapatnam and Bavanampadu. The Austrian and Switzerland firms will be extracting 10 lakh tonnes of ilmenite per year.

“Only MoUs have been signed and we are awaiting statutory clearances,” said D. Radhakrishna, project officer of APMDC. In Hyderabad, State mining minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy said, “They agreed to establish the titanium producing units apart from mining in the State. It will be first unit in the country.” “Misra Dhathu Nigam Limited (Midhani) which getting large quantities of titanium from other countries is assured top priority supply,” the minister said. But there are problems like clearance from the Union environment ministry. The endangered marine turtle is the cause of worry.

“If the companies mine across the fast lane, that is the upper layer of sand, the turtles will be forced to change their egg-laying places,” said marine biologist Dr Duggaraju Srinivasa Rao. “But as per studies the Orissa coast is the favoured destination for the turtles.” The State government on behalf of the companies has assured that all necessary precautions will be taken so that turtles and their egg laying sites are kept safe by providing passage to the amphibians. “We have informed the Centre that the foreign companies will take turtle protection measures,” the mines minister said.

Source: Deccan.com

prasadbbabu · Telugu Puli Joined: 25 Dec 2006 Posts: 652

bommasaniv · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

Whats ur point?

prasadbbabu · Telugu Puli Joined: 25 Dec 2006 Posts: 652