IREL (India) Limited’s Manavalakurichi Mineral Division (MK) in Tamil Nadu continues to play a pivotal role in the production of rare earth elements (REEs). Located in the Kanyakumari district, MK specializes in the extraction of heavy minerals from beach sand deposits, including ilmenite, rutile, zircon, garnet, and monazite. The plant has an annual production capacity of 91,200 tonnes of ilmenite and associated minerals.
Monazite, a key mineral extracted at MK, is particularly significant due to its high content of REEs such as cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium. The processing of monazite at MK contributes substantially to India’s domestic supply of these critical elements, which are essential for various high-tech applications, including electronics, renewable energy technologies, and defense systems.
IREL’s operations at MK are part of a broader strategy to enhance India’s self-reliance in critical minerals. The company has undertaken substantial expansions to increase its processing capacity, including the establishment of the Rare Earths Division (RED) in Aluva, Kerala, and the Odisha Sand Complex (OSCOM) in Odisha. These facilities produce high-purity individual rare earth compounds, contributing significantly to India’s rare earth supply chain.
Through its continued operations at the Manavalakurichi plant, IREL (India) Limited plays a pivotal role in enhancing India’s rare earth processing capabilities, thereby contributing to the nation’s technological advancement and economic growth.
