Minerals resourse

China clay is found in abundance in Thaliparamba and Kannur taluks of Kannur district. These resources are not fully utilised in the district.
The district is endowed with rich deposits of clay of which various types are mined at many places for potteries, tiles and ceramic industries. The most important areas where clay has been found are Pattuvam, Korom, Perumba and Karivellore. Good quality kaolin occurs below the laterite capping around Pilathara and Thaliparamba.
There are a number of tile manufacturing centres along the coastal areas. Because of the abundant availability of clay, there is great scope for development of clay based industries in the district.
Laterite is quarried for bricks throughout the district on a small scale to meet the local demand. Extensive quarrying is done in Kambil, Kalyassery and Cheruthazham area.
Thin horizons of lignite are noted in the cliff sections at Kannur coast, Pazhayangadi and Meenkunnu.
Beach sands containing ilmenites, monazite, Zircon, and thorianite occur along the coast, especially to the south of Valapattanam river mouth and near Azhikode. Other minerals discovered recently are sillimanite near Chandirukunnu, graphite near Payyavur, Manakadavu and Minor bands of iron ore near Cherukunnu Railway Station.
Many occurances of bauxite deposits have been brought to light in the district at Madayi, Korom, Payyavur and Pattuam near Thaliparamba. They may find use in the manufacture of refractories and cement as they are not of high grade.
Limeshells used for the manufacture of white cement and for industrial purposes are found in the backwaters of Eranholi river, Dharma dampuzha, and Anjarakandi river around Thalassery and Dharmadam as well as Valapattanam river in the east of Azhikkal ferry.