Hindustan Zinc’s Tungsten Mining Plan Draws Strong Opposition in Tamil Nadu

Residents, environmentalists, and activists in Melur staged a protest on Monday demanding that the Tamil Nadu government deny permission to Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL), a subsidiary of Vedanta, to mine tungsten across 5,000 acres of eco-sensitive land in Nayakkarpatti and surrounding areas.

Petitioning Collector M.S. Sangeetha, protesters highlighted HZL’s controversial track record, alleging environmental destruction and loss of livelihoods in locations like South Africa and parts of India. Activist R.S. Mugilan criticized the company’s operations, referencing its Thoothukudi copper smelter, which reportedly polluted air and water, and contributed to the killing of 13 protesters.

Protesters accused the Ministry of Mines of downplaying the auction’s impact by listing only Nayakkarpatti, a village with just 20 houses, while official records reveal the mine would encompass 12 villages, including Melur, Arittapatti, and biodiversity-rich areas.

Selvaraj, an activist from Melur, emphasized the region’s ecological and cultural importance, including Arittapatti’s Jain heritage and status as a biodiversity heritage site. He expressed concern over mining operations encroaching on protected areas.

Protesters also alleged that the government’s infrastructure projects, such as the 72A ring road and Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar link, were implemented to facilitate mining activities in the region.

Residents and activists have called on authorities to prioritize environmental and community well-being over industrial interests.