Amaravati, February 28 Andhra Pradesh plans to open up its mineral-rich coastline for large-scale mining of beach sand containing rare earth and titanium, in a strategic move aimed at reducing India's dependence on Chinese imports and building a domestic value chain for critical minerals.
The state-run miner, Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC), has identified multiple heavy mineral-bearing deposits across coastal districts, positioning the state as a potential hub for titanium dioxide, titanium metal, and rare earth processing.
A presentation by APMDC shows that the state holds nearly 25% of India's beach sand mineral resources – the second highest in the country – with significant deposits of ilmenite, rutile, zircon, and monazite, the latter being a key source of rare earth elements used in magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics, and defence systems.
Beach sand minerals are critical inputs for industries ranging from paints and aerospace to nuclear energy and electric mobility. Ilmenite and rutile are processed into titanium dioxide pigment and titanium metal, while monazite yields rare earth oxides used in electronics, clean energy technologies, and permanent magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines.
This move comes amid growing concerns about China's dominance in critical mineral supply chains. China controls over half of global titanium mineral production and more than 90% of rare earth processing capacity, leaving countries like India vulnerable to supply disruptions.
India imports more than 75% of its titanium dioxide pigment requirements, with a large share sourced from China, despite possessing substantial titanium mineral reserves.
Demand for rare earth permanent magnets in India is projected to grow at over 15% annually, driven by electric mobility and renewable energy expansion, with overall demand expected to double by 2030. However, the country remains heavily reliant on imports for both rare earth materials and finished magnet products.
To capitalize on this opportunity, APMDC has secured approvals for 10 major beach sand deposits across coastal districts, including Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Krishna, covering thousands of hectares and holding tens of millions of tonnes of heavy mineral reserves, according to the presentation. Additional blocks are at various stages of development and regulatory clearance.
The state aims to develop an integrated value chain spanning mineral extraction, separation, refining, and downstream manufacturing.
Officials said that these deposits are being viewed not just as mining assets, but as the foundation for a complete value chain spanning mineral separation, refining, and advanced manufacturing of titanium and rare earth-based products.
The state's industrial ecosystem is expected to support this plan. Andhra Pradesh has six operational ports with a combined cargo handling capacity exceeding 330 million tonnes, besides expanding industrial corridors and logistics infrastructure along mineral-rich coastal belts, enabling processing units to be located near raw material sources.
Industry analysts said that this strategy aligns with India's broader focus on critical mineral security and domestic manufacturing under clean energy and defence programmes.
If implemented at scale, Andhra Pradesh could emerge as a key domestic hub for titanium dioxide pigment, titanium metal, rare earth oxides, permanent magnets, and advanced materials for aerospace, electric vehicles, and renewable energy, while also positioning itself as an alternative supplier in global critical mineral supply chains.
