Andhra Pradesh gives strategic push to tapping potential of rare earths and beach sand minerals

With 25% of India’s Beach Sand Mineral (BSM) deposits, Andhra Pradesh (AP) is giving a strategic push to tap the immense economic potential of rare earths and titanium-based minerals. 

The move is aimed at reducing India’s dependence on China, which has a vice-like grip on global supply chains, while creating a new downstream manufacturing hub along the State’s 1,053 km-long coastline.

As per Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) data, Andhra Pradesh has the second highest BSM reserves in India, with particularly high concentrations of ilmenite, rutile, zircon and monazite, the last being a key source of Rare Earth Elements (REEs).  

A government release said BSM are critical inputs across a range of high-value 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 essential for electronics and clean energy technologies.  

Andhra’s move comes against Chinese domination over more than half of global titanium mineral production and controls over 90% of rare earth processing capacity, creating significant supply vulnerabilities for importing nations like India.  

India already imports over 75%  of its titanium dioxide pigment requirements, with nearly 2/3rd of it sourced from China, despite having some of the world’s largest titanium mineral reserves.  

The rare earth opportunity is even more pronounced as the demand for rare earth permanent magnets (crucial for EV motors, renewable energy systems, defence equipment and consumer electronics) is projected to grow at over 15% annually in India, with total demand expected to double by 2030.  

APMDC already secured approvals for 10 major beach sand deposits across Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Krishna districts  Several additional blocks are under development or in advanced clearance stages. 

Andhra Pradesh’s beach sand strategy aligns closely with India’s broader push for critical mineral security and domestic manufacturing under clean energy and defence programs.