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monazite. Of these, monazite, which is also pre- “It is also pertinent to note that DAE has also clari-
scribed mineral and can be processed to yield tho- fied that the quantities and the very limited concen-
rium, a nuclear fuel. Monazite is neither allowed to tration of Monazite that is available in the beach
be exported nor sold by private companies but our minerals in this area do not make its mining eco-
national wealth is allegedly being sold and exported nomically viable. Also, DAE has clarified that there Rajendra Prasad Koneru
by certain unscrupulous persons and companies. is no market for Monazite currently as it is not the
Renuka Choudhary, Member of Parliament material that can be used with the nuclear technol-
from Rajya Sabha, was part of the aforesaid Public ogy existing in the world as of today”, Trimex added.
Accounts Committee also raised this issue in the par- The illegal acts, according to the investigation Pradeep Koneru
liament on 14.03.2016. In fact, Raju, MP from BJP, was reports, came to light for the first time way back in
also part of the PAC and found the Trimex Group of the year 2004 when Assistant Director, Mines and
not only indulging in illegal mining but illegal export Geology, Srikakulum executed the mining lease with
of Monazite. Trimex without clearance from Revenue and Forest
Few names prominently appear in various inves- Departments which was mandatory as per GO Ms
tigations by Enforcement Directorate, the Central No. 31 dated 06.02.2004.
Bureau of Investigation, Ministry of Mines and Min- It was also found that the Trimex used loaders of
istry of Environment besides Vigilance and Enforce- 1.3 and 2.0 cubic meter capacity and excavators of Madhu Koneru
ment Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. 0.9 and 1.5 cubic meter for loading purpose day and
Names of Rajendra Prasad Koneru, an Andhra politi- night using floodlights which are subject violation of
cian and his two sons — Madhu Koneru and Pradeep CRZ clearance vide J-19011/11/2003-1A-III of Ministry
Koneru — and Trimex Sands (P) Limited, appear as of Environments and Forests. however, the Ministry
alleged accused in case of illegal mining and export of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Gov-
of atomic minerals. ernment of India have taken no action till date.
TEhELKA sent a questionnaire to Trimex Group The group has rejected the charges, saying there
at their Chennai and Dubai addresses on April 2, wasn’t any violation of CRZ clearance. “In fact, this Illegal mining activities in progress at Srikakulum mines
2018 and a reminder on April 13, 2018. They finally allegation was also subject matter of the defamation
responded via GreyMatters Communications & Con- suits … and the hon’ble Courts restrained the media
sulting Pvt Ltd on April 22, 2018. They denied all the houses from airing such defamatory statements,” the
charges. “We have never exported or sold any Mona- company said.
zite to any person much less to any private company A detailed report of another enquiry conducted investigations suggest zite was mined and stored by Trimex Industries in pits
or exporting it to China. Atomic Energy Regulatory by the officials of Indian Bureau of Mines, For - under their processing plant”. however, it appears that
Board (AERB) a statutory regulatory authority under est, Revenue and Director and Mines and Geology, that the trimex used Department of Atomic Energy has not made any effort
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) have formu- hyderabad on 06.03.2013, Director, Mines and Geol- to recover such huge quantities of nuclear material from
lated guidelines/rules for handling of all radioactive ogy submitted to Principal Secretary to Government loaders of 1.3 and 2.0 the possession of a private party. In all, the Trimex Indus-
material and exercise control over it. The company (Industries & Commerce), highlighted that “Trimex tries has been accused of illegally mining and transport-
have obtained license under Atomic Energy (Radia- Industries had carried out illegal mining operations ing 17,58,112 MT of Beach Sand Atomic Minerals worth
tion Protection) Rules, 2004 from AERB. The com- in part of the area of 387.72 acres in their mining cubic meter capacity and 1295.63 crores.
pany is following the directives and guidelines as lease”. The Director Mines and Geology, Government The Trimex Group, on its part, said, “It is wrong and
prescribed by regulatory bodies. AERB is periodical- of Andhra Pradesh, suggested action on his report- excavators of 0.9 and 1.5 false that the company has illegally mined and trans-
ly carrying out inspections and never reported any dated 20.09.2013. however, till date, no orders have ported 1295.63 crores worth 17,58,112 MT of beach sand
violations of the conditions,” Trimex said in response been passed on the said report. cubic meter for loading minerals including Monazite. The vigilance department
to the TEhELKA questionnaire. The illegal export of radioactive and atomic min- has come to such inflated figures without any basis.
Trimex — which has offices in Dubai, Indonesia erals including concentrated monazite tailings, using floodlights which Kindly note that vigilance report has made bizarre and
and Chennai — has warned TEhELKA to refrain from which contains thorium, a mineral which can be self-contradictory statements on baseless, preposterous
publishing any story contrary to the replies provided used in the nuclear industry, is a matter of concern and imaginary grounds. When we have filed an appli-
by it. “Do not publish any defamatory statements for national and international security, according is violation of CrZ cation under Right to Information Act, 2005 to obtain a
against Trimex either directly or indirectly. If you to the investigations carried out by the officers of copy of the Vigilance Report, the same was rejected by
publish any story contrary to our replies, the same the Vigilance and Enforcement Department, Gov- the authorized officer of the Vigilance & Enforcement
would amount to defamation and also contrary ernment of Andhra Pradesh along with officials Private Limited) and is currently operating in the name Department.”
to the orders passed by the hon’ble Courts. In such of Mines and Geology into the affairs of East West of Trimex Sands (P) Limited for required way bills etc. The report of A.R.Anuradha, Director General (Vigi-
event, we will be constrained to initiate appropriate Mineral Sands Private Limited (Trimex Industries The investigations found that “Trimex Industries lance & Enforcement), states that “the officials of the
legal action against you including, but not limited to, Limited) in the months of June, September and No- had conducted mining over 304.40 acres of disputed Mines and Geology Department have allowed mining
filing necessary suits, petitions, criminal complaints vember, 2015. East West Mineral Sand Private Lim- land and illegally excavated minerals worth 1,295.63 operations and issued transit permits for transportation
for defamation etc,” the company said in response to ited (subsequently, the lease was transferred from crores.” of Beach Sand minerals from the disputed area of 387.72
the queries. Trimex Industries Limited to East West Mineral Sand The report said that “as much as 9750 MT of Mona- acres against stipulated conditions. The officials failed to

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