Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, is a premier institution dedicated to research and development in fast reactor technology, including the design, development, and operation of fast breeder reactors in India.
Statement 3 is correct. Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy, is engaged in the processing of beach sands to produce various minerals. These include zircon, ilmenite, and rutile, along with rare earth compounds. Zircon, in particular, finds application in India's nuclear program, besides other industrial uses.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Research and Exploration (AMD) is primarily responsible for the exploration, prospecting, and evaluation of atomic minerals such as uranium, thorium, and rare earths across India. Heavy water production, on the other hand, is the mandate of the Heavy Water Board (HWB), a separate constituent unit under the Department of Atomic Energy.
Options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect because they either include Statement 2, which is factually inaccurate, or exclude Statement 1, which is correct.