Authorities probing cases of theft of monazite: Minister

The Government today said the authorities were probing the cases of alleged theft of monazite, which has thorium and occurs along with beach sand minerals in Tamil Nadu after reports emerged that some companies were mining and exporting it without permission.
"There were media reports that companies had the permission to mine beach sand, which contains monazite, were also exporting it. These had the license to procure granite, another mineral found in monazite ore. Authorities are investigating the case," said Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who also holds charge of Department of Atomic Energy.
He, however, did not elaborate on further details of the theft.

Monazite has several elements of which one is thorium and granite and is widely found in beaches of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It could also be radioactive, so it is essential to seek license from the the Department of Atomic Energy.
Singh added that he was in talks with the Department of Space and Ministry of Earth Science on how one could use technology for the stopping the theft.
Thorium is very crucial for India as India envisages a three-stage nuclear porgramme and the mineral will act as fuel.