Studies Show That No Excess Cancer Risk To People Who Live Near High Natural Background Radiation

According to a recent news article in The Hindu, it has been clear that people who live near high natural background radiation in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are not at excess risk of getting cancer. The radioactive mineral found on these beaches is called Monazite. The Coast line of Kerala has the rich monazite content (roughly 2%) whereas rest of the coastline like Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh only has about (0.1 - 0.3%) which is hardly any.

This mineral is only mined by Government mining agencies in India. The current Monazite mining industry in India is looked after by Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL). Monazite being the only commercially important rare earth found in India, it has higher value than other minerals such as garnet, zircon and titanium alloys.

VV Mineral, India, a privately owned heavy mineral mining company, based in Tamil Nadu mainly deals with zircon mining, garnet mining, ilmenite mining and rutile mining. In a recent interview with the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Vaikundarajan Subramanian, it was mentioned that private companies like them have the funds and infrastructural assets to better the monazite business in India. Whereas, in another news article featured on Economic Times, it is mentioned that because Indian Government does not allow private players to invest and conduct business in global Monazite industry there is no scope of growth for India. Due to lack of funds from the government the mining company is not able to explore mining expansion plans, whereas, the private mining companies are not allowed to do so, even after having the necessary funds for it.

Now since it is clear that this mineral has no adverse cancer related effects, ideally there should be some amendments in the mining rules and private mining companies should be allowed to explore this field which will not only benefit them but also the state and nations economy.