Andhra Pradesh aims to attract ₹20,000 crore investment in rare earth mineral processing
Andhra Pradesh is formulating an action plan to establish industries for processing titanium sponge, titanium metal, rare earth and advanced minerals, with a target to attract investment of over ₹20,000 crore, according to Minister for Excise, Mines & Geology Kollu Ravindra.
The Minister told reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday that the state has the second largest beach sand mineral deposits in India, after Tamil Nadu, and the government is working to create value from these resources. Minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, zircon, garnet and titanium found along the coast have high demand in international markets, he said.
Mr. Ravindra stated that several major companies, including JSW Steel, Vedanta, Hindustan Zinc, Ambuja Cements, Shree Cement, Dalmia Cement and JK Cement, have shown interest in investing in the state's mining sector, attracted by transparent policies and reforms. Their entry is expected to lead to efficient resource utilization and industrial development, creating thousands of jobs.
The Minister also mentioned that the Jonnagiri gold project in Anantapur district, which has 13 tonnes of gold reserves, is expected to enter commercial production soon. Additionally, exploration of iron ore and limestone is progressing rapidly in 17 mineral blocks in Chittoor district.
According to the Minister, the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Policy-2025 has helped attract investments and increase government revenue. In the last two years, over 1,700 applications for mining licenses were received, of which 172 have been granted. The state has expedited the auction of mineral blocks under the Mines & Minerals Development and Regulation Act, with 21 blocks auctioned so far, resulting in 11 mining leases and 10 composite licences.
Under the free sand policy, the government has supplied 19,185,793 metric tonnes of sand through 412 sand reaches and dispatch centres and 238 stockyards across the state. To curb illegal mining, demand notices worth over ₹3,500 crore have been issued.
Principal Secretary Mukesh Kumar said potential gold mining sites have been identified at four locations, including Chigurugunta in Chittoor district, Ramagiri in Anantapur, and Visakhapatnam.
