Centre unilaterally making rules for mineral mining: Min
The state argues that this poses a threat to national security and the fishing industry and has urged the withdrawal of the 2025 Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Regulations, said the minister.
The central govt is unilaterally formulating these rules without consulting the state, even though the coastal region includes areas with nuclear mineral deposits, he added. The central govt intends to permit private companies to mine nuclear minerals like uranium and thorium from the country's maritime zones, which Kerala claims could endanger national security if foreign agencies or contractors are involved.
The coastal regions of Kerala, Odisha and Tamil Nadu are rich in beach sand minerals, including thorium, crucial for nuclear energy production. The new regulations significantly impact Kerala as the central govt and its agencies hold the authority to grant mining permissions, excluding state involvement, which is a violation of constitutional rights, the minister said.
Deep-sea mining could harm the marine ecosystem and severely affect the fishing industry, disrupting the food chain and endangering the livelihoods of millions of fishermen. Public sector enterprises based on mineral sand would also be threatened, affecting employment opportunities. Despite Kerala's strong opposition, the central govt is proceeding with plans to allow foreign agencies to mine coastal sand.
The state has demanded the complete withdrawal of these central regulations, Rajeeve said.
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