The Union Ministry of Mines has annulled the auction for the Nayakkarpatti Tungsten mineral block in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, following sustained opposition from local farmers and environmental concerns. Hindustan Zinc Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta, had secured the mining rights in November 2024. However, the presence of the Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site and several cultural heritage sites within the proposed mining area raised significant apprehensions. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had previously urged the Centre to cancel the mining rights, citing potential environmental and cultural damage.
The decision to annul the auction was welcomed by villagers in Arittapatti, who celebrated the outcome with traditional dances and expressions of gratitude towards the state and central governments. Tuticorin MP Kanimozhi highlighted the state’s opposition, noting that a resolution against the project was passed in the assembly under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s leadership. She also raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, calling the annulment a victory for people’s protests and democratic action.
The Nayakkarpatti block, spanning 2,015.51 hectares, is rich in scheelite, a primary ore of tungsten, which is critical for aerospace, defence, and green energy technologies. The Tamil Nadu government had expressed concerns over the potential environmental and cultural consequences of allowing mining in areas rich in biodiversity and archaeological significance.
This development underscores the ongoing tension between economic development initiatives and environmental conservation efforts in India. The annulment of the mining auction reflects the government’s responsiveness to public concerns and the importance of balancing industrial growth with the preservation of cultural and ecological heritage.
