Minerals in Kerala

Soil types rich in mineral resources are found in various parts of Kerala. Black sand, found in coastal areas, is the most significant among them. Minerals such as ilmenite, monazite, thorium, and titanium are present in this black sand. The ilmenite content in Kerala's soil is notably high. Lignite is also obtained from the soil in the region. Companies such as Travancore Titanium, Indian Rare Earths, and Kerala Minerals and Metals (KMML) utilize these mineral resources.

Kerala has large deposits of heavy mineral sand (monozite, ilmenite, thorium, rutile, zirconium, sillimanite), Gold, Iron ore, Bauxite, Graphite, China Clay, Fire Clay, Tile and Brick Clay, Silica Sand, Lignite, Limestone, Limeshell, Dimension Stone (Granite), Gemstones, Magnesite, Steatite, Whiteclay, Mica etc. However, mining activities on a large scale are confined to a few minerals like Heavy mineral sands, China clay and to a lesser extent Limestone/Lime shell, Silica sand and Granite. Mineral resources in Kerala are broadly categorized into major minerals and minor minerals. Granite building stone, laterite (for building), ordinary earth, stone crushers, manufactured sand units, brick factories, and tile factories are examples of minor minerals in Kerala. 

Chavara deposit: World class deposits of mineral sands are seen in the coastal tracts between Neendakara and Kayamkulam. The Chavara barrier beach consists of 60% of heavy minerals. Heavy minerals and China Clay accounts above 90% of entire production of minerals in Kerala.

China Clay: The State has large deposits of China clay. It is mainly concentrated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kasaragod districts.

White Clay: Thiruvananthapuram district have rich deposits of white clay. The deposits of graphite, silica and limestone are considerable in the State.

Lignite: Lignite deposit have been identified in Madai area in Kannur district, Nileswaram - Angakalari – Palayi - Chathamath area, Kadankottumala, near Cheruvathur, Kayyur - Klayikode area near Nileswaram in Kasargod district.

Illmenite, Monazite, and Silicon: It is found in abundance in the Chavara-Neendakara region of Kollam District.

Limestone: It is found in parts of Palakkad and Kannur districts and in Thannermukkom, Vaikom, Vadanapilly and Kodungalloor.

Limeshell: The largest reserves of lime shell are known to occur in Vembanad Lake and ad-joining portions comprising parts of Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Kottayam Districts. The lime shell resources have been found in Kannur and Kasargod districts in North Kerala.

Gems: Deposits of chrysoberyl have been found in the eastern parts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts.

Graphite: Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts of the state have abundant deposits of graphite.

Silica Sand: This is the main constituent of glass and therefore the major raw material of glass industry. Silica is found in various part of Alappuzha district like Cherthala, Panavalli, Pallippuram.

Iron ore: Iron ore deposit are common at several places in Kozhikode and Malappuram Districts.

Bauxite: Large deposit of bauxite are common in the places of Shooranadu, Adichanalloor in Kollam District and Mangalapuram, Chilambil, Sasthavattom and Attipra areas of Thiruvananthapuram district. Kumbala, Neeleswaram and Kanhangad are the places of deposit in North Kerala.

Mica: The geographical distribution of mica includes Punalur in Kollam district and Kayana in Kozhikkode districts of Kerala. But mining has not advanced so far.

Gold: Gold occurs in Kerala mainly in Wayanad and Nilambur regions. The gold mine found in the Attapady valley of Palakkad is new and promising.

Major Mineral based Industries in Kerala

The major mineral based industries in Kerala are

1. Indian Rare Earths Ltd, Chavara

2. Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML), Chavara

3. Malabar Cements, Walayar

4. Travancore Cements Ltd, Kottayam

5. Kundara Ceramics, Kollam

6. English Indian Clays Ltd (EICL), Thiruvananthapuram

7. Excel Glass Industry, Alappuzha

8. Kerala Clays and Ceramic Products Ltd, Pazhayangadi, Kannur

9. Travancore Titanium Products Ltd, Thiruvananthapuram