Trimex Industries has announced that it will commence ilmenite mining operations within 2 months at Srikurmam in Srikakulum district of Andhra Pradesh.

As per release, the company plans to invest INR 2,250 crore in the project spread over a 7.2 square kilometer. Of this, it said that it had invested about INR 250 crore so far. Trimex is amongst first to receive mining lease from the State and has been working on obtaining necessary clearances for the project.

Mr Pradeep Koneru ED of Trimex said that through this ilmenite, Trimex will be among the low cost producers and manufacturers of titanium dioxide. It company has initiated a study by consulting firm TMZI for necessary value addition to what the company produces.

According to the company, the facility will have a capability to produce 200,000 tonnes of ilmenite a year and is expected to produce 65% of that capacity in the first year of operations.

In addition, the company will also have a manufacturing capability to produce 80,000 tonnes of garnet, 6,000 tonnes each of rutile and zircon. The engineering procurement and construction work for the project has been mandated to Walchandnagar Industries in technical partnership with Dower EDI Mining Mineral Technologies.

With operations in UAE and India, Trimex entered into a MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Government in January 2001 to develop beach sand minerals. Under the agreement, Trimex has 2 more prospecting licenses for 40 square kilometer in areas adjacent to Srikurmam.