Mining and Minerals Industry in Kerala

The Department of Mining and Geology, Government of Kerala, is the statutory body under the State's Industries Department responsible for mineral exploration, prospecting, and administration. Prior to becoming a separate entity in 1946, it functioned as part of the Industries Department. In 2024-25, the mining and quarrying sector (primary sector) in Kerala contributed an estimated value of Rs.2,57,598 Lakh (QE) at constant prices in Kerala’s GSVA. This sector registered 6.33 percent growth in 2024-25 (QE) at Constant Prices. Mineral resources in Kerala are broadly categorized into major minerals and minor minerals. Major minerals are regulated directly by the Union Government under central legislation (the Mines and Minerals Act), whereas minor minerals are regulated at the state level through the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, administered by the Department of Mining and Geology. 

There are a total of 172 authorized metal crusher units in Kerala. The Government gets revenue from minerals mainly by way of royalty. About 95 percent of the revenue comes from minor minerals. Government revenue from minerals is derived primarily from royalties, with approximately 95 percent of the revenue coming from minor minerals. A total of 504.92 lakh tonnes of major and minor minerals were produced in Kerala during the 2024-25 fiscal year. Indian Rare Earths Ltd, Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML), Malabar Cements, Travancore Cements Ltd, Kundara Ceramics, English Indian Clays Ltd, and Kerala Clays and Ceramic Products Ltd are some of the major mineral-based industries. Limestone and ilmenite are examples of major minerals found in Kerala. 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. The Public Sector Undertakings in Mining and Minerals Industry working under Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala is as follows.

■ Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML)

The formation of KMML was inspired by the findings of the German scientist Dr. Schomberg, who detected the presence of monazite in coir fibers from Chavara. Originally established in 1932 as a private entity named F.X. Pereira & Sons Travancore Private Limited, the company was taken over by the State Government in 1956, leading to the formation of KMML in 1972. Production of titanium dioxide pigment using chloride technology commenced at the facility as early as 1979. In 2011, KMML also began the production of titanium sponge in collaboration with the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory. India is the seventh country in the world to develop titanium sponge production technology. Titanium sponge is a crucial component in the construction of aircraft—including fighter jets—and nuclear power plants. Beyond its pure rutile-grade titanium dioxide pigment, marketed as 'Kemox', KMML has become an indispensable part of our daily lives through a range of products such as ilmenite, rutile, zircon, sillimanite, and synthetic rutile. Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited introduced technology absorption for monosite cracking to extract rare earth elements and to support the permanent magnet production. Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML) is one of the major profit-making PSUs (Net Profit) during the year 2024-25 in Kerala.

■ Malabar Cements Ltd

Although the company was incorporated in 1978, production at its Walayar plant in Palakkad district commenced in 1984. The plant has an annual production capacity of 420,000 tonnes of cement. Malabar Cements has won a national award for its outstanding initiatives in energy conservation. Within 15 years of commencing operations, the company was able to meet 10 percent of Kerala's domestic cement consumption.

■ Travancore Cements Ltd

TCL began operations in 1946 and started producing grey cement in 1949. In 1959, the company began manufacturing white Portland cement, with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tonnes. From 1974 onwards, production was shifted exclusively to white cement to meet the rising demand for the product. The cement, produced from the abundant lime shells found in Vembanad Lake, is free from magnesium oxide, resulting in superior durability and strength. TCL is the only company in the world that manufactures white cement from lime shells.

■ Kerala Clays and Ceramic Products Ltd (KCCPL)

Kerala Clays and Ceramic Products Ltd is a PSU engaged in the mining and processing of china clay and aluminous laterite. It produces various grades of china clay useful for the manufacture of ceramics, rubber, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. Aluminous laterite is other essential raw material used for cement manufacturing. This company functions three china clay mines in the Kannur and Kasaragod districts. There is also an aluminous laterite mine in Kasaragod.