| The damage done by an illegal notification issued by DAE in January 2006 after the Indo-US nuke deal between Manmohan and Bush is obvious from the following reports. Andhra Pradesh placer sands contain the highest reserves of monazite (thorium) deposits in the country accounting for 3.72 mt out of 11.93 mt of the country. These placer sands are mined by private parties under leases granted by the State Government. All the atomic mineral reserves should be conserved and protected by DAE and national security agencies of Govt of India. As needed, the protection of these reserves should be entrusted to a Joint Army Command. NaMo government should 1. Immediately cancel this notification so that atomic minerals are NO LONGER kept under Open General Licence for exploitation and export. 2. Immediaely cancel all MOUs and related leases granted to private parties to exploit mineral placer sands and entrust the responsibility for mining atomic-mineral containing placer sands only to Indian Rare Earths Limited, a Public Sector Unit operating under Dept. of Atomic Energy. http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=112033Press Information Bureau Government of India Department of Atomic Energy Deposits of Rare Earths Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constitute unit of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has estimated the presence of 11.93 million tonnes of monazite resources in the beach sand mineral placer deposits along the coastal tracts of India. Monazite in general, contains about 55 – 60% total Rare Earth Oxide. The state-wise resources of in situ monazite established by AMD so far are as follows:
The resources of xenotime, another rare-earth bearing mineral, are negligible in India. AMD has established about 2000 tonnes of xenotime-bearing heavy mineral concentrate containing 2% xenotime in the riverine heavy mineral placer deposits of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Monazite is a mineral mainly containing rare earths and thorium-a prescribed substance to be handled by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Accordingly, Indian Rare Earths Ltd. (IREL) wholly owned by the Govt. of India, under the administrative control of the Dept. of Atomic Energy (DAE) utilises monazite mainly for production of rare earth compounds, and thorium, as needed in the Department of Atomic Energy. This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions and in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today. Kalyanaraman See http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.in/2012/11/dae-cancel-and-withdraw-illegal.html DAE notification S.O. 61(E) of 18 January 2006, gazetted on 20 Jan. 2006 which revised the list of Prescribed substances, Prescribed equipment and Technology IS ILLEGAL. Parliament has not approved the changes proposed in the list of Atomic Minerals in First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. It was illegal to have issued and gazetted the DAE notification of 2006 WITHOUT FIRST ensuring approval of the Parliament to the proposed changes of the prescribed substances declared as Atomic Minerals under the Act. DAE should IMMEDIATELY notify cancellation and withdrawal of the notification and prosecute action against those who have acted in contravention of the Rule of Law enunciated in the Act. “Under the Ilmenite (Control of Export) Order, 1953, licences were issued for the export of ilmenite subject to the condition that samples of ilmenite to be exported had been examined and certified to contain less than 0.1 per cent of monazite to prevent clandestine export of monazite. This limit was subsequently enhanced to 0.25 per cent of monazite. At present, the export consignments of ilmenite are examined and certified by AMD. This was reviewed by DAE and it was found essential to retain monazite testing, and such testing continues to be carried out by AMD on behalf of AERB under the Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004. Many countries refuse to use any ilmenite containing more than 75 parts per million (ppm) of uranium and thorium, as it poses an environmental threat when used for the production of value added materials. Hence, analysis of ilmenite for its monazite content by AMD is a service that would be needed by exporters, and could be continued as a charged service to be availed of on a voluntary basis.” [National Mineral Policy, Report of the High Level Committee, Planning Commission 2006]. If none of these substances contain thorium and since it is possible to export them under the OGL, one may be reasonably safe in assuming that any form of the above testing is not being done. If so, the Government must decide whether the inadvertent export of radioactive thorium/uranium in undetermined and possibly in larger than trace quantities are in violation of the very same control regimes they have wholeheartedly endorsed against better judgment, or whether the OGL somehow allows for the legal trafficking of radioactive substances. Now, it should be clear that the DAE notification of January 2006 has created a situation where AERB certification for transport/shipment of placer sands containing ATOMIC MINERALS was not enforced. DAE has a lot to answer for in conserving, safeguarding the nation's rare earth mineral wealth and protecting against shipments/transport of consignments with radioactive substances. All the delisted minerals must be reinstated as prescribed substances. Checks and balances put in place to safeguard national wealth must be clearly enunciated and available in the public domain. Export quotas for all these minerals must be established on scientific and technological grounds and form a demonstrable part of the development plan. An impetus and new lease on life must be given to IREL and other agencies to fulfil the tar-gets required if the thorium programme is to be saved from extinction. DAE should reiterate the instructions banning the mining of ATOMIC MINERAL containing placer sands, transport and export of such minerals by private agencies. The IREL should be strengthened with adequate resources to ensure enforcement of Govt. policies to safeguard, protect and conserve the Minerals of National Importance so vital for the nation's energy programmes and the nation's strategic security imperative. Atomic minerals include thorium, uranium monazite, zircon,ilmenite, rutile and leucoxene (Part B of First Schedule of the Act 1957) It is the responsibility of the State to safeguard and protect these atomic minerals. Please see First Schedule Part B. The prescribed substances list has NOT been amended by Parliament as of May 2012. http://mines.nic.in/writereaddata/Filelinks/e342d686_MMDR%20Act%201957.pdf (embedded) This means that DAE notification S.O. 61(E) of 18 January 2006, gazetted on 20 Jan. 2006 which revised the list of Prescribed substances, Prescribed equipment and Technology IS ILLEGAL. The notification could have taken effect only if the Parliament amended the Act (1957). Parliament has NOT amended the Act as of May 2012. Hence, the notification is NULL AND VOID. All acts done under this illegal notification have no authority in law. Embedded is a letter written by DAE to Federation of Indian Mineral Industries. (DAE letter dated 02.02.2006 - Delisting of minerals) Atomic minerals include thorium, uranium monazite, zircon,ilmenite, rutile and leucoxene (Part B of First Schedule of the Act 1957). Hence Atomic Energy Regulatory Board certificate is mandatory under law for all these minerals listed in First Schedule Part B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 Issued by CONTROLLER – GENERAL, INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES, NAGPUR (August 2012). Kalyanaraman http://www.docstoc.com/docs/135339895/mines-and-minerals-_development-and-regulation_-act_-1957-_No-67-of-1957_-as-amended-upto-10th-may_-2012 mines and minerals _development and regulation_ act_ 1957 _No. 67 of 1957_ as amended upto 10th may_ 2012 http://www.docstoc.com/docs/135348893/fdipolicyformining-titanium-bearing-minerals-and-ores-2008 fdipolicyformining titanium bearing minerals and ores 2008 Notification of October 19, 2012 by DAE perpetuates the illegality by not recognising the fact the prescribed substances under the Act 1957 continues to include ilmenite,zircon, leucoxine, rutile etc. The Press Note continues continue to cite the illegal DAE notification of 20 Jan. 2006 since the Parliament has NOT approved the changes proposed in DAE notification of Part B Atomic Minerals in First Schedule of the Act 1957.http://www.docstoc.com/docs/135349721/exportofmonazitefromindiathefactsoct19_2012exportofmonazitefromindiathefactsoct.19_2012 Exploitation of Heavy Mineral Beach Sand |  | ||||||||||||||||
| The Corporation filed applications for grant of MLs in Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam Districts covering 156.59 sq.kms M/s. Bothli Trade AG, Switzerland based company evinced interest to establish Titanium Sponge and Titanium Metal Industry with an investment of about of Rs. 4,000 crores. The GoAP entered into an MOU with M/s. Bothli Trade AG on 18.04.2006 covering an extent of 82.37 sq. kms and consequently the Corporation entered into an agreement on 24.08.2006 with M/s. Bothli. The Corporation proposes to consider additional extent of 33.33 sq. kms subject to approval of GoAP. M/s. VV Minerals, Chennai also evinced interest to form Joint Venture with the Corporation for mining and mineral separation of Heavy Mineral Beach Sands at a Project outlay of Rs. 75 crores and also establishment of value added unit based on the deposits at a Project outlay of Rs. 1,500 crores in Srikakulam District over an extent of 14.78 sq. kms. Accordingly the Corporation entered into an agreement with M/s. V.V. Minerals Pvt. Ltd., on 30.12.2006 as approved by the GoAP. http://www.apmdc.ap.gov.in/proposed%20new%203.html March 5 2007 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.comhttp://www.andhranews.com/ftopic2556.htmlExploitation of Heavy Mineral Beach Sands The Corporation filed applications for grant of MLs in Vishakhapatnam , Vizianagaram and Srikakulam Districts covering 156.59 sq.kms M/s. Bothli Trade AG, Switzerland based company evinced interest to establish Titanium Sponge and Titanium Metal Industry with an investment of about of Rs. 4,000 crores. The GoAP entered into an MOU with M/s. Bothli Trade AG on 18.04.2006 covering an extent of 82.37 sq. kms and consequently the Corporation entered into an agreement on 24.08.2006 with M/s. Bothli. The Corporation proposes to consider additional extent of 33.33 sq. kms subject to approval of GoAP. M/s. VV Minerals, Chennai also evinced interest to form Joint Venture with the Corporation for mining and mineral separation of Heavy Mineral Beach Sands at a Project outlay of Rs. 75 crores and also establishment of value added unit based on the deposits at a Project outlay of Rs. 1,500 crores in Srikakulam District over an extent of 14.78 sq. kms. Accordingly the Corporation entered into an agreement with M/s. V.V. Minerals Pvt. Ltd., on 30.12.2006 as approved by the GoAP. http://www.aponline.gov.in/Quick%20Links/Departments/Industries%20and%20Commerce/A%20P%20Mineral%20Development%20Corporation/About/index_old.html Coastline scarred Pic for representation purpose Hyderabad: The North Andhra coast is being rapidly denuded of its heavy mineral sand (HMS) by politicians and companies working hand in glove. Praveen Prakash, the then chairman of AP Mineral Development Corporation, had written to the state government on February 23, 2011, to cancel the joint venture agreement with Bothli Trade AG citing violations of the agreement. But the state government took no action in this regard. Instead, Mr Prakash was transferred out of the APMDC. Mr Prakash had pointed out that in some cases there are no competitive bids, and listed 13 specific agreements including with Jindal, Anrak, Trimex and Bothli Trade AG (now in question).He highlighted how rules have been flouted and estimated that APMDC would earn an additional Rs 11,049 crore if the contracts are renegotiated. Civic activist E.A.S. Sarma has also been raising objections for the past five years, but consecutive governments have stuck to the agreements and given approvals and licences, flouting the rules. Currently, the state has granted three mining leases for these heavy mineral deposits over 809 hectares, and two prospecting licences over 4,000 hectares to different companies. APMDC has applied for mining leases covering 15,659 hectares and entered into an MoU with Bothli Trade AG, Switzerland, to establish a heavy mineral separation plant as well as 2,50,000 MTs of value-added products with an investment of about Rs 4,600 crore. APMDC also signed a joint venture agreement with VV Minerals, a Chennai-based company for Ilmenite minerals namely Synthetic Rutile and Titanium Slag, with an estimated outlay of Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000 crore. APMDC is awaiting approval from the Centre to grant the mining leases which in turn will be sub-leased to the above SPV. APMDC vice-chairman and MD T.R.K. Rao said, “Bothli failed to get approvals from India Bureau of Mines and Atomic mineral division. So no activity has started. They haven’t mined the sand. They didn’t have environmental clearance. There was a delay of at least six years due to the elaborate procedures. As this delay is a violation of the MoU, the then chairman Mr Praveen Prakash had written to the government for cancellation of the agreement. Bothli got only prior approval for prospective licensing for half of the area with which they have got agreement.” At present, two companies established by Transworld Garnets Pvt Ltd and Beach Minerals Company Andhra Pvt, separate garnet from the beach sand. At the time the licence was granted, Iimenite was a restricted mineral and they were not permitted to extract Iimenite. Subsequently, the Government of India liberalised the policy of granting of leases for Iimenite and hence M/s Transworld Garnets Pvt Ltd and M/s Beach Minerals Company Andhra Pvt Ltd were entitled to extract Iimenite and requested that Iimenite be included as an additional mineral, which is under consideration of the government. Mr Sarma said, “The irregularity here is that there so many minerals apart from limenite are being extracted. The companies that get licence for extracting one mineral exploit everything available.” He warned that these sand mining projects will have “serious adverse implications for the coastal environment of the northern coastline of the state. Sand mining is a prohibited activity in Coastal Regulation Zone. The Andhra Pradesh State Government should have studied the track record of sand mining in Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu before hastily signing MoUs with private companies, that too, through questionable procedures of selection. “There has been an attempt on the part of some political leaders and civil servants to hand over the coastline to a few favoured groups at the cost of public welfare and national security. We believe that the sand mining franchises are a part of this. An investigation into the circumstances under which these franchises have been granted will reveal the facts.” Forum for Better Vishaka has written letters in this regard to APMDC, the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister since 2006 on various occasions but has got no response. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140404/nation-current-affairs/article/coastline-scarred | |||||||||||||||||
↧
Ongoing, uncontrolled exploitation of atomic minerals 3.72 mt. in Andhra Pradesh. NaMo, cancel OGL, cancel leases.
↧