**Executive Summary**
This report details the state-wise production of Beach Sand Minerals (BSM) from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26, highlighting major outputs from Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It outlines the establishment of "Rare Earth Corridors" announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 to align with national goals like Net Zero 2070 and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Key regulatory measures include the canalization of exports through IREL (India) Limited and the restriction of atomic mineral mining to government-controlled entities.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Production Statistics (Last Five Years)**
* Total production of raw BSM amounted to 35,869,898 tonnes, yielding 2,931,465 tonnes of value-added heavy minerals.
* The primary producing districts are Ganjam (Odisha), Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), and Kollam (Kerala).
* Odisha (Ganjam) recorded the highest production levels, while Andhra Pradesh reported nil production during this five-year period.
**Strategic Initiatives**
* The Union Budget 2026-27 introduced "Rare Earth Corridors" in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
* These corridors are designed to support mining, processing, research, and manufacturing to position India in the global advanced materials value chain.
* Initiatives are aligned with national priorities, including Viksit Bharat @2047 and Net Zero 2070.
**Regulatory Framework and Enforcement**
* Under Section (5) of the MMDR Act 1957, mining of BSM with monazite content at or above 0.00% is reserved exclusively for Government Companies/Corporations.
* Section 23C of the MMDR Act empowers State Governments to create rules to prevent illegal mining, transportation, and storage.
* Per a 2018 DGFT notification, BSM exports are canalized through IREL (India) Limited as a State Trading Enterprise to prevent illegal exports.
**Domestic Processing and Technology**
* IREL (India) Limited and Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) are the authorized entities for mining and processing heavy mineral sands.
* IREL operates facilities for integrated mining, mineral separation, and Rare Earth Element (REE) extraction/refining across three locations.
* The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) collaborates with IREL to develop processing technologies for rare earths.
**Impact Analysis**
**IREL (India) Limited and KMML**
**Impact:** These entities hold a mandate for the domestic mining and beneficiation of monazite and heavy minerals. IREL specifically serves as the sole canalizing agency for BSM exports.
**Action Required:** Continue integrated mining and refining operations while collaborating with BARC to advance rare earth processing technologies.
**State Governments (Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh)**
**Impact:** These states are designated for the development of Rare Earth Corridors and are responsible for local mineral regulation.
**Action Required:** Formulate and enforce rules under Section 23C of the MMDR Act to prevent illegal mining and manage the storage and transport of minerals.
**Private Sector and Potential Exporters**
**Impact:** Private entities are restricted from mining atomic minerals above the monazite threshold and cannot export BSM directly.
**Action Required:** Adhere to the MMDR Act and DGFT regulations, ensuring all export activities are canalized through IREL.
Key Entities Referenced
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957: The primary legislation governing the mining of atomic minerals and empowering state governments to regulate mineral transportation and storage.
IREL (India) Limited (IREL): A central government company mandated for the mining, processing, and canalization of exports for beach sand minerals and rare earths.
Rare Earth Corridors: A strategic initiative announced to promote mining, research, and manufacturing in mineral-rich states to align with national self-reliance and net-zero goals.
Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu: The specific mineral-rich states central to beach sand mineral production and targeted for the establishment of dedicated development corridors.
Union Budget 2026-27: The referenced policy document that announced support for the establishment of rare earth corridors and domestic beneficiation capabilities.
Department of Atomic Energy
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: BEACH SAND
MINERALS
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 7:48PM by PIB Delhi
The details of state and district-wise production of raw Beach Sand Minerals (BSM) and total value-added
BSM (Total Heavy Minerals) in the country during the last five years are given in table-
Financial State District Raw Sand Total Heavy
Production (tonne) Minerals (tonne)
Year
FY2021-22 Odisha Ganjam 3999755 341450
Tamil Nadu Kanyakumari 772866 63536
Kerala Kollam 771189 137528
FY2022-23 Odisha Ganjam 4354899 367493
Tamil Nadu Kanyakumari 682256 54366
Kerala Kollam 897025 151242
FY2023-24 Odisha Ganjam 6017990 375402
Financial State District Raw Sand Total Heavy
Production (tonne) Minerals (tonne)
Year
Tamil Nadu Kanyakumari 916175 60784
Kerala Kollam 1182251 145655FY2024-25 Odisha Ganjam 6370502 397778
Tamil Nadu Kanyakumari 713714 60899
Kerala Kollam 1198251 173685
FY2025-26 Odisha Ganjam 5785825 411869
(till Feb,
Tamil Nadu Kanyakumari 680511 41865
2026)
Kerala Kollam 1526689 147913
Total production during last 5 years 35869898 2931465
As per records available, total production of raw Beach Sand Minerals (BSM) and total value- added
BSM (Total Heavy Minerals) is Nil during the last five (05) years in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
The Union Budget 2026-27 made an announcement to support the mineral-rich States of Odisha, Kerala,
Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to establish dedicated Rare Earth Corridors to promote mining,
processing, research and manufacturing, thus, aligning these initiatives with the national priorities of
Atmanirbhar Bharat, Net Zero 2070, and Viksit Bharat @2047, while positioning India as a key player in
global advanced materials value chains.
As per the provisions under Section (5) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
(MMDR), mining of atomic minerals (i.e. BSM in this case) equal to or above the threshold values (i.e.
0.00% monazite in Total Heavy Minerals, vide Ministry of Mines notification No. GSR134(E) dated
20.02.2019) shall be carried out only by the Government Company/Corporation, owned or controlled by
the Government.
Section 23C of the MMDR Act, 1957 empowers the State Governments to make rules for preventing
illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith.
As regards illegal exports of BSM, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Department of Commerce,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India issued Notification No. 26/2015-2020 dated
21.08.2018 on export policy on BSM under which export of BSM has been brought under State Trading
Enterprise and shall be canalized through IREL (India) Limited (IREL).
As regards promoting domestic beneficiation capability, IREL has been mandated to mine and process the
heavy mineral sands which includes rare earth bearing mineral viz. monazite in India. In addition, Kerala
Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML), a State Public Sector
Enterprise (SPSE) under Government of Kerala also undertakes similar activity. IREL has been operating
in three locations having the facility for integrated mining and processing of heavy mineral sands and a
facility each for extraction and refining of Rare Earths. IREL possesses the requisite expertise across
integrated mining, mineral separation, REE extraction and refining. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, a
constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy collaborates with IREL to develop necessary
technologies pertaining to processing of rare earths.This information given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and
Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today on 1st April,
2026, Wednesday.
*****
NKR/AK
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