GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ATOMIC ENERGY

LOK SABHA

UNSTARREDQUESTION NO: 3754

ANSWERED ON: 20.03.2013

EXPORT OF NUCLEAR MINERALS 

(a) whether certain changes had been made in the Atomic Energy Act through a notification on 18 January, 2006;

 (b) if so, the details thereof; 

(c) whether such changes are likely to lead to export of many atomic minerals from the country under open general licence; 

(d) if so, the names of those minerals; 

(e) whether the atomic energy sector of the country is likely to suffer financial loss by export of these minerals; and 

(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

(a)&(b) No Sir. The notification of 18 January 2006 issued under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 pertain to Prescribed Substances, Prescribed Equipment and Technology. The items listed in the notification are regulated as per the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. 

 (c)&(d) Separate license is required for acquisition, production, possession, use, disposal, export and import of any of the prescribed substances. The prescribed substances inter-alia includes uranium, thorium, any material, substance or concentrate containing uranium and thorium, and also niobium, tantalum and beryllium. These elements and their minerals are important for atomic energy programme and the changes as above do not bring these under open general licence for export. 

(e) No Sir.   

(f) Does not arise in view of (e) above.