Tamil Nadu: Major action against illegal mining, work on 67 mines stopped
Tamil Nadu: The Tamil Nadu government has taken strict action against illegal and unregulated mining activities in the state. A government press release stated that surveys and inspections conducted across the state confirmed illegal mining at 78 locations. Following this, the administration took immediate action and closed several mines.
The state has over 2,000 mines where stone and other minerals are extracted. The government has received repeated complaints that many mines are exceeding permitted mining limits and violating permit conditions. Furthermore, the State Environmental Impact Assessment Commission regulations were also being violated at several locations.
Taking these complaints seriously, Mineral Resources Minister Dr. D.K. Prabhu directed a detailed inspection of mines across the state and action against those violating regulations. In this regard, he also conducted surprise inspections of mines in Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Virudhunagar, and Madurai districts and ordered the temporary closure of several mines after finding violations.
Following the minister’s directive, officials from the Mineral Resources Department conducted a comprehensive inspection campaign across Tamil Nadu last week. A total of 431 mines were inspected. The inspections found violations at 155 of these mines.
According to a government report, operations at 67 mines have been temporarily halted and fines have been imposed. Further investigations and action are underway against 88 other mines.
The government has made it clear that illegal mining and violations of environmental regulations will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Officials have been instructed to regularly monitor all mines and take immediate action wherever violations are found.
The objective of this entire campaign is to make mining activities in the state transparent and as per the rules, so that the environment is not harmed and the proper use of mineral resources can be ensured.
