The monazite processing Technology with BARC. Hence no possibility of process by private companies

The technology for processing Monazite is closely guarded secret available only with DAE. Even then M/s.IREL had to shut down their plant at Alwaye, Kerala for their inability to run the plant for technological challenges.  

In terms of the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, the Atomic Energy department is empowered to notify any mineral which is used for production of atomic energy or research thereon as prescribed substances (which are exclusively controlled by DAE). But DAE notified all the placer minerals except Garnet and Sillimanite as prescribed substances keeping in view the job security of the employees of IREL and also to prevent competition in the business, even though mineral like Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon has nothing to do with Atomic Energy production or research.

          Until 1998, notwithstanding the above fact, Govt. of India with the concurrence of Atomic Energy department permitted the private individuals and Indian owned companies to mine Garnet sand with the condition that the private lessees should hand over the tailings containing other placer minerals to Tvl.IREL after separation of Garnet from the beach sand.  Accordingly leases were granted to private individuals and Indian owned companies for mining Garnet alone.  In this connection it is to be pointed out that the Tvl.IREL was receiving the residuary tailings from the individual private lessees initially for a few years only.   Subsequently, they refused to receive the tailings on the plea that they themselves had huge stock of placer minerals at their stock yard.