What is Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD)?

The preliminary surveys conducted by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) found the presence of lithium reserves in the Madhya district of Karnataka. They indicate the presence of some 1,600 tonnes of the resource in pegmatite rocks. This comes after the Central Government has started taking steps to initiate commercial exploration for the rare mineral in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

What are pegmatite rocks?

Pegmatites are rare earth minerals. They are igneous rocks. Tungsten, apatite, fluorite, tourmaline, and aquamarine are some of the pegmatite rocks. They are very much similar to granite. Pegmatites are found mostly in Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Odisha.

What is AMD?

The AMD is the oldest unit of India’s Department of Atomic Energy. It is responsible for discovering mineral deposits needed for the country’s nuclear power program. Founded in 1948 as the Rare Minerals Survey Unit, it was later renamed the Raw Materials Division and the Atomic Minerals Division before taking its current name in 1998. The organization is headquartered in Hyderabad and has seven regional centres.

What is the work of AMD?

It conducts surveys to explore raw materials required for atomic power in the country. Though the major work of AMD is to find out Uranium resources in the country, it also works to recover rare earth metals.

Who controls AMD?

The AMD operates under the Department of Atomic Energy. It is under the direct purview of the Prime Minister of the country. PM looks after the Ministry of Atomic Energy. The AMD is one of the research wings of the Atomic Energy department. AMD headquarters is in Hyderabad, The other research wings are BARC in Mumbai, IGCAR in Kalpakkam, RRCAT in Indore, and VECC in Kolkata.

History of AMD

The AMD started as a rare minerals survey unit in 1948. Later it was transformed into the atomic minerals division in 1958. In 1998, it became AMD.

Offshore Investigative Wings of AMD

They are located in Vizag and Trivandrum. Apart from these two cities, there are 7 other regional centres. They are in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, New Delhi, Nagpur, Jamshedpur, and Shillong. However, the centres in Vizag and Trivandrum alone look after the offshore investigations.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2023

Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs