M.P. Sukumaran Nair, former Chairman of Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd, said that by addressing current limitations and focusing on value addition, the corridor could drive innovation in clean energy and high-tech industries, while supporting India’s goals of sustainability and self-reliance.
The initiative is timely given India’s expansion in renewable energy, electric vehicles, electrolysers, and sensors, all of which rely on rare earth elements for components like magnets, batteries, and catalysts. Strengthening domestic supply chains would reduce vulnerabilities exposed by global disruptions, including China’s recent restrictions on rare earth exports.
India’s beach sands along the coasts of Kerala, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are abundant in atomic minerals, notably monazite, which serves as the primary raw material for thorium extraction. Thorium is integral to India’s third-stage nuclear development program, providing a sustainable fuel source.
Kerala is particularly well-positioned for this development, thanks to its rich beach sand mineral deposits, including monazite—the primary source of thorium for India’s third-stage nuclear program. However, current extraction practices, especially in the Chavara-Kayamkulam belt, remain basic, with little downstream processing, limiting the economic potential of these resources.
Nair emphasised the importance of joint efforts between central and state governments to upgrade technology, foster research partnerships, and encourage private sector involvement. This integrated approach would enhance India’s strategic mineral security and promote economic growth in mineral-rich states like Kerala.
Published on February 1, 2026
