In what might turn out to be a major relief to the raw material-starved unit of the Indian Rare Earths Limited (IRE) at Chavara in Kollam, the Ports Department is considering giving sanction to the Central PSU to dredge the mineral-rich sand accumulated at the Thottappally Fishing Harbour in Alappuzha.
Ports Minister K Babu told ‘Express’ the other day that the IRE had expressed interest in acquiring the sand and the proposal was handed over to the Ports Secretary for necessary action.
Asked about the e-tendering procedures initiated by the Department for dredging and removing the sand, the Minister said that in the initial stage, it was not known that the sand was mineral-rich and the proposal from the IRE had come only later. “The tender procedures have not been finalised and the Department is now actively considering the proposal from the IRE. No move is on to hand over the sand to private firms,” the Minister said.
‘Express’ had on May 16 reported that about 90,000 cubic meter mineral sand was found accumulated at the harbour in a rare phenomenon.
Natural sand has been piling up at the harbour, posing hindrance for its proper functioning.
Meanwhile, allegations were raised by various trade unions and political parties that the Port and Harbour Engineering Departments had shown undue haste in initiating tender procedures for the removal of the sand, allegedly to provide the mineral-rich sand to private firms. A top official of the IRE said that that the availability of mineral-rich sand in such huge quantity came to the notice of the company only after the report published in ‘Express.’
Following which, the experts from the company analysed the samples of the sand and it was found that the sand has a mineral content of about 37 per cent, including 21 per cent of Ilmenite and 16 per cent of other heavy minerals, the official said. When contacted, the CMD of IRE R N Patra told this paper that it would be in the interest of the state and the nation, if the IRE was allowed to dredge the sand.
“It is learnt that the sand has been accumulating as a natural phenomenon and, if the IRE is allowed to dredge the sand, it will be a sustainable source for the company, which is starving for mineral sand,” he said.
According to the company sources, sand currently available at the Thottappally harbour would help sustain the operations of the company for a year. It is estimated to be worth over `100 crore.
The Chavara unit of the IRE is currently facing a lay-off threat owing to shortage of raw materials and a positive decision from the Ports and Harbour Engineering Department would help the company sustain operations at the unit.