India`s monazite reserves have gone up

Chennai: India`s monazite reserves have gone up by 1.25 million tonnes between 2009-2013 to 11.93 million tonnes as on May 2013, the parliament was told Wednesday. Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Prime Minister`s Office V. Narayansamy gave this information in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha.

Monazite a beach sand mineral contains thorium which is important for India`s three-stage nuclear power programme. As on May 2013, Andhra Pradesh has the highest monazite reserves of 3.72 million tonnes followed by Tamil Nadu (2.46 million tonnes), Odisha (2.41 million tonnes), Kerala (1.90 million tonnes), West Bengal (1.22 million tonnes) and Jharkhand (0.22 million tonnes). IANS