Lok Sabha Question No. 424 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Development of IRE Chavara, Kerala
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 424

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## DEVELOPMENT OF IRECHAVARA, KERALA

## 424. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Prime Minister be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to diversify the activities of Indian Rare Earth (IRE) Ltd. and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to develop IRE Chavara, Kerala so as to produce value added products using the minerals mined regionally and if so, the action taken thereon;
- (c) whether  the  proposal  is  pending  with  the  Government  for  the  development  of  IRE Chavara, if so, the details there of and the action taken thereon;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  invest  more  in  Research  and  Development (R&D) in IRE and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to utilise the resources and facilities in IRE Chavara for its development and if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; and
- (f) whether the  Government proposes private participation  in  IRE  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  The  operation  of  IREL  (India)  Limited  (IREL),  a  Central  Public  Sector Enterprises (CPSE) under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is aligned to meet the  strategic  needs  of  the  Department,  besides  handling  radioactive  substances  to produce activity free minerals/elements for manufacturing value added products.

In order to strengthen its strategic outreach, the activities of IREL are extended in line by undertaking projects to meet strategic need of DAE in terms of Rare Earth magnet, extraction of  Dysprosium  and Gadolinium.  A  Memorandum  of  Understanding  is also signed with M/s. Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant JSC, Kazakhstan to  set  up  a  value-added  plant  for  production  of  Titanium  slag  in  Odisha.  In  addition based on a home grown technology developed through internal R & D, IREL is setting up a pilot plant for production of high pure titanium pigment and zirconium oxy-chloride. IREL is setting up a theme park (incubation centre) to demonstrate technologies in the value chain of Rare Earths.

- (b) Yes,  Sir.  The  operations  of  IREL  in  Chavara,  Kerala  is  one  of  the  prime  movers towards value addition of products of IREL having perfect equilibrium between demand and supply.  Ilmenite,  which  is  the  major  product  produced  in  the  unit  is  supplied  to three units operating in the value chain of titanium i.e. M/s. Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited(KMML),  M/s.  Travancore  Titanium  Products  Limited(TTPL)  and  M/s.  Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited(CMRL).  All the other minerals are supplied to Micro and Small Enterprises, who have set up downstream industries, while monazite is meant for  captive  use  for  strategic  purposes  and  production  of  Rare  Earths.  In  the  recent past, due to excessive inhabitation of the mining areas, supply side has weakened due to resource constraints. Therefore, efforts have been undertaken in the first instance, to  meet the supply requirement of existing industry in value chain. Thereafter, value addition, if any, will be planned after ensuring adequate resources based on deposits, environment clearance and grant of lease.
- (c) No, Sir.
- (d) Yes,  Sir.  Department  of  Atomic  Energy,  Government  of  India  have  established  a Technology Development Council (IRELTDC) comprising of eminent scientists of the country. Projects in the value chain of Rare Earths and Titanium are awarded to R&D institutes  of  repute  such  as  Indian  Institute  of  Technology,  Centre  for  Scientific  and Industrial Research, Institute of Minerals and Metals Technology NIR Cerium - Near Infra Red etc. Some of the projects so undertaken are development of Cerium-Zirconia based  catalyst,  NIR  cerium  oxide  for  energy  saving  in  glazed  tiles/cool  textile, extraction of  neodymium metal by clean process, extraction of yttrium from monazite/xenotime,  textile  fibre  colors  using  environment  friendly  Rare  Earths  salts, thermal barrier coating materials, nano titania, etc.
- (e) The resources and facilities of IREL, Chavara are being utilized fully to the extent of availability of resources and statutory clearance like environment clearance. Ilmenite, the major product is supplied to three plants operating in the value chain i.e. KMML, TTPL and CMRL, while the other mineral products are supplied to number of Micro and Small Enterprises operating in the downstream sector. Monazite produced in the unit is used by IREL for strategic purposes and RE products.
- (f) No, Sir.

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