Arunachal government, AMD to Explore Atomic Minerals

Itanagar: The geology and mining department of Arunachal Pradesh is all set to collaborate with the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) to explore atomic minerals in the state.

The decision to carry out the exploration was taken during the 7th e-Pragati meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday.

Joining the meeting virtually from Hyderabad, AMD director Dr D K Sinha informed that his directorate has been carrying out survey and exploration of atomic minerals in Arunachal since long.

Dr Sinha said the explorations have given encouraging results on possible deposits of uranium, lithium, helium and rare earth elements (REE) in Arunachal Pradesh, which is not found anywhere else in the country.

He further offered to collaborate with the state government to specifically focus on exploration of these rare minerals.

The director further informed the chief minister that Arunachal can avail and benefit from the few specific technologies developed by DAE, which include low footprint bio-granulation plant for sewage treatment, sludge hygienisation and biomethanation (Nisargaruna) plants for waste management, development of seeds with enhanced qualities and food irradiation plant in agriculture sector, water filtration systems for clean drinking water and technologies for disaster management.

Khandu on his part thanked the AMD director for the offer and assured that the state government department concerned will be in touch with the department of atomic energy (DAE) in this regard as well as exploration of atomic minerals.

Besides the atomic minerals, it was also decided to fast-track survey and exploration of dolomite, limestone, tourmaline, base metal and cement-grade limestone in various parts of the state.

“We are going very slowly. Some of the surveys began way back in 1969 with no results till date. The concerned department has to wake up and get going,” Khandu observed.

In a first ever such exercise, the AMD had begun prospecting for uranium somewhere near Aalo in West Siang earlier this year.

A constituent unit of the DAE, the prime mandate of AMD which under the direct control of the prime minister’s office is to identify and evaluate uranium resources required for the successful implementation of the atomic energy programme of the country.

Uranium is used for producing nuclear energy which is also considered as clean energy.

Source: East Mojo