Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Mar 1 (TNT) : Andhra Pradesh is set to unlock the economic potential of its extensive beach sand reserves, aiming to reduce India’s reliance on China for critical minerals while building a coastal manufacturing hub.
According to the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC), the state holds the second-largest beach sand mineral reserves in India, accounting for nearly 25 percent of the country’s resources.
Key minerals include ilmenite, rutile, zircon, and monazite, the latter being a prime source of rare earth elements.
Beach sand minerals are essential for a range of industries, from paints and aerospace components to nuclear fuel and permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Ilmenite and rutile are processed into titanium dioxide pigment and titanium metal, while monazite yields rare earth oxides critical for electronics and clean energy technologies.
China dominates over half of global titanium mineral production and more than 90 percent of rare earth processing, leaving India exposed to supply vulnerabilities, the Corpoation said.
Currently, India imports more than 75 percent of its titanium dioxide pigment requirements, with two-thirds sourced from China.
Demand for rare earth permanent magnets in India is projected to grow over 15 percent annually, potentially doubling by 2030.
APMDC has secured approvals for 10 major beach sand deposits across Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Krishna districts, covering thousands of hectares with tens of millions of tonnes of heavy mineral reserves.
Additional blocks are under development.
Officials plan to develop the full value chain, from mineral separation and refining to advanced manufacturing of titanium products and rare earth components.
The state’s industrial infrastructure supports the initiative, with six operational ports handling over 330 million tonnes of cargo, expanding industrial corridors such as the Vizag–Chennai Industrial Corridor, and strong logistics and power infrastructure near mineral-rich coastal belts. Proximity to raw materials is expected to reduce logistics costs for processing plants and downstream industries.
The strategy aligns with India’s push for critical mineral security and domestic manufacturing under clean energy and defence programmes.
If implemented at scale, Andhra Pradesh could become the country’s primary hub for titanium dioxide pigment, titanium metal, rare earth oxides, permanent magnets, and advanced materials for aerospace, EVs, and renewable energy, while generating export revenues by supplying global markets seeking non-Chinese sources.
TNT TS
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