Madurai Tungsten Mining Protest Continues

11 Dec 2024 CW Team

Social activists and residents continued their protest against the proposed tungsten mining project in Madurai district, urging the Central Government to scrap it. The protests followed a resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, which opposed tungsten mining in the state.

The demonstrators called on the Union Government to withdraw the project, which could impact approximately 5,000 acres of land in Arittapatti and A Vellalapatti villages, including agricultural fields and historically significant sites.

Mugilan, the coordinator of the Tamil Nadu Environment Protection Committee and a key figure in the campaign against the project, revealed that the Central Government had surveyed 38,500 acre across Madurai, Dindigul, and Sivaganga districts for potential tungsten mining.

Karnan, the coordinator of Parambumalai Pathugappu Iyakkam and another leader in the agitation, pointed out that countries like China and Spain had abandoned tungsten mining projects due to their adverse environmental impacts. Mugilan warned that if the Union Government chose to proceed with the project, it would face strong and widespread protests.

Meanwhile, reports suggested that the Union Government was reconsidering its decision to move forward with the mining initiative. This development came after a letter from Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai to Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, urging the cancellation of the mining plans. In response, Kishan Reddy assured Annamalai that the Centre would review its decision.

Annamalai attributed the situation to the Tamil Nadu Government’s failure to effectively communicate its objections to the Union Government, which led to the tender being awarded to Hindustan Zinc Limited. He emphasised that the Modi government prioritises the welfare of farmers and would not pursue initiatives detrimental to their interests.

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