The Central Government's decision to begin tungsten mining in the Nayakkarpatti block of Madurai has sparked protests from locals. On January 7, videos sꦏhared by news agency ANI showed people from 40 villages near the site protesting on social media. The villagers claim that the project will severely affect their livelihoods and lead to significant environmental harm.
Additionally, the DMK government and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also raised opposition to the project. But what is the pr𒆙oject and why is the local and the state government against it? More details.
Firstly, what is the project?
The Un꧂ion Ministry of Mines on November 7 announced that it had successfully concluded the auction of eight critical mineral blocks, including the Nayakkarpatti tungsten block in Madurai’s Melur taluk. The ministry emphasized that the blocks auctioned were part of Tranche IV of the critical and strategic mineral blocks auction, designed to enhance India’s self-reliance in😼 high-tech applications.
The Nayakkarpatti block, covering 2,015.51 hectares, is abundant in scheelite, the primary ore of tungsten, which is crucial for aerospace, defense, and green energy technologies. The Mineral Exploration and ▨Consultancy Limited, a government agency, had identified the area as suitable for tungsten extraction. Hindustan Zinc Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, was selected as the preferred bidder for the block.
Why are locals protesting? What are the risks?
Media reports indicated that a resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly proposed that the mining site includes Arittapatti, an area known for its rich biodiversity and deep historical and cultural significance. The r♈egion is home to several historical monuments, including cave temples, Jain symbols, Tamil Brahmi scripts, Panchapandavar beds, and serves as a habitat for rare species, according to the resolution.
Environmentalists, archaeologists, local residents, and the state government expressed concerns that mining could cause irreparable damage to the region’s ecological and cultural heritage. Environmental groups like Poovulagin Nanbargal have warned that tailings (waste materia🍒ls from ore processing), could release harmful heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead, potentially contaminating the soil and water. These concerns are particularly significant given Vedanta's history of environmental controversies, including the issueꦕs surrounding the Sterlite copper smelter in Thoothukudi.
Vil♔lages from the neighbou💙ring Terkutteru, Muthuvelpatti, and Kidaripatti, are also worried that the project could lead to irreversible environmental degradation and the loss of their livelihoods.
Central vs State government
The Tamil Nadu government argued that it raised objections to the auction in October 2023, citing the ecological and cultural importance of the proposed mining site. However, the Centre claims that it did not receive any form🔯al communication opposing the auction during the process.
In a speech during the Assembly session, Chief Minister M K Stalin declared, "Tungsten mining will not be allowed under any circumstances. If it proceeds, I will not ho༺ld this post." The resolution called on the Centre to obtain consent from state governments for mining projects, asserting that no mining license should be granted wi𒊎thout state approval.
According to media reports, Duraimurugan, the Water Resources Minister in the DMK government, criticized the Centre꧙'s actions while introducing the resolution in the state as▨sembly. He condemned the Union Government for ignoring Tamil Nadu’s objections raised on October 3, 2023, against auctioning mining rights for critical minerals without the state’s consent. "It is condemnable that despite the concerns raised by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Union Government proceeded with the auction," he stated.
