National Mineral Policy 2006 - Department of Mines

any quantitative restriction.. If ilmenite mining is to be permitted without imposing acondition for value addition a corollary is that exports would have to be freely permitted.However, in view of the fact that some of the Indian ilmenite deposits are unique in being ofmuch higher grade than what is available in the rest of the world, the Committee wouldpropose the levy of export duty on high-grade ilmenite (with titanium dioxide content of 56per cent and above). A part of the collections from the levy could be used for promotingR&D activities on titanium and minerals bearing the metal.AMD Certification of Monazite7.85 Under the Ilmenite (Control of Export) Order, 1953, licences were issued for exportof ilmenite subject to the condition that samples of ilmenite to be exported had beenexamined and certified to contain less than 0.1 per cent of monazite to prevent clandestineexport of monazite. This limit was subsequently enhanced to 0.25 per cent of monazite. Atpresent, the export consignments of ilmenite are examined and certified by AMD. This wasreviewed by DAE and it was found essential to retain monazite testing, and such testingcontinues to be carried out by AMD on behalf of AERB under the Atomic Energy (RadiationProtection) Rules, 2004. Many countries refuse to use any ilmenite containing more than 75parts per million (ppm) of uranium and thorium, as it poses an environmental threat whenused for the production of value added materials. Hence, analysis of ilmenite for its monazitecontent by AMD is a service that would be needed by exporters, and could be continued as acharged service to be availed of on a voluntary basis.AERB Licensing and the Issue of Disposal of Tailings7.86 The radiological issues in beach sand mining arise due to the presence of monazite,which gives rise to high natural background radiation levels in areas where BSMs exist.During the course of separation of minerals, changes in radiation levels take place. Whencommercially important minerals such as ilmenite or garnet are removed, the remainingmaterial gets concentrated in monazite, leading to increased radiation levels. The materialremaining after separation, i.e. tailings containing monazite, if stored inside the plant, willlead to increase in radiation levels inside the plant. The dust generated during the separationprocess contains radio nuclides (having long half-life) of thorium and uranium present inmonazite, and in the absence of appropriate measures for radiation protection, radiationexposures of occupational workers can sometimes exceed the limits prescribed. If the tailings179