The correct answer is: a) Mineral Sand Mining.
IREL is a government-owned company that was incorporated in 1967. It is the sole producer of rare earths in India. Rare earths are a group of 17 elements that are essential for the production of a wide range of products, including electronics, batteries, and magnets. IREL mines and processes rare earths from monazite sand, which is found in beach sands along the east coast of India. The company has two mines in India, one in Orissa and one in Tamil Nadu. IREL also has a processing plant in Chennai.
Option b) is incorrect because IREL is not involved in oil exploration. The company does not have any oil exploration licenses.
Option c) is incorrect because IREL is not involved in iron ore extraction. The company does not have any iron ore mines.
Option d) is incorrect because IREL is not involved in coal mining. The company does not have any coal mines.