The mining industry contributes remarkably to the Economy of India. The sand mining industry is one of the key contributors in the mining sector. Sand mining is a process to extract sand and other rare earth minerals from the open pits. These rare earth minerals generally consist of elements like ilmenite, rutile, garnet, zircon, sillimanite, leucoxene and monazite. These seven elements are extensively used in various day to day consumer products, as well as high tech applications. Due to various conservative policies of government, the potential of private players in this industry is hindered. Beach sand-mining is different in many aspects. It is an important industry whose development is essential not just for India's economic health but also strategic benefit. Until 1998, rare earth minerals were completely controlled by the government. Globally, the rare earth mineral market is dominated by China with 97% of the export and India is the second largest exporter. Prices have increased, due to Beijing’s latest restrictions on rare earth minerals export. Countries like United States, France and Japan have being showing interest in the development of Indian rare earth mineral deposits.

1. Make In India – Beach Sand Mining Sector
The mining industry contributes remarkably to the Economy of India. The sand mining industry
is one of the key contributors in the mining sector. Sand mining is a process to extract sand and
other rare earth minerals from the open pits. These rare earth minerals generally consist of
elements like ilmenite, rutile, garnet, zircon, sillimanite, leucoxene and monazite. These seven
elements are extensively used in various day to day consumer products, as well as high tech
applications.
Due to various conservative policies of government, the potential of private players in this
industry is hindered. Beach sand-mining is different in many aspects. It is an important industry
whose development is essential not just for India's economic health but also strategic benefit.
Until 1998, rare earth minerals were completely controlled by the government.
Globally, the rare earth mineral market is dominated by China with 97% of the export and India
is the second largest exporter. Prices have increased, due to Beijing’s latest restrictions on rare
earth minerals export. Countries like United States, France and Japan have being showing
interest in the development of Indian rare earth mineral deposits.
In India, one of the largest producer and exporter of rare earth minerals like ilmenite is V. V.
Mineral. The Managing Director and CEO of V. V. Mineral, S. Vaikundarajan said, “Though
India is home to 35% of global rare earth minerals and 71% of world’s monazite reserve, China
dominates the rare earth supply of the world. With a slight change in the policies, India can be
the world top player of rare earth minerals.” Further he added, “Keeping in mind the current
demand of beach minerals owing to rapid innovation, the Make in India objective of the
government won’t be so difficult to achieve.”
Beach Sand Mining sector can turn out to be a triumphant Make In India programme, if
appropriate acknowledgment and encouragement is given by the central and state governments.