Row over Tungsten Mining near Madurai
08-12-2024
07:46 AM
1 min read

What’s in today’s article?
- About Tungsten
- About the Controversy
- Opposition to the Project
- Government’s Position
- Conclusion

About Tungsten
- Tungsten is a rare, heavy, and dense metal with the highest melting point (3,422°C) among all metals.
- It is known for its exceptional hardness and resistance to heat, corrosion, and wear.
- Appearance: Greyish-white, lustrous metal in its pure form.
- Ore Sources: Majorly obtained from minerals such as scheelite (calcium tungstate) and wolframite (iron manganese tungstate).
- Tungsten is considered a "critical mineral" due to its indispensable role in defense, high-tech industries, and clean energy applications.
- Applications:
- Industrial Tools:
- Used in cutting tools, drills, and abrasives due to its hardness and heat resistance.
- Tungsten carbide, a compound of tungsten, is widely used for manufacturing durable tools.
- Electronics:
- Filaments in light bulbs, X-ray tubes, and electrical contacts.
- Semiconductor materials and heating elements in electronics.
- Aerospace and Defense:
- Alloyed with other metals for high-strength military-grade armor and aerospace components.
- Used in missile tips and radiation shielding due to its density.
- Medical Applications:
- Utilized in medical imaging devices and as radiation shielding material in cancer treatments.
- Green Energy & High-Tech Applications:
- Essential in wind turbines and in the production of superalloys for energy and technology sectors.
- Industrial Tools:
- Tungsten in India:
- Primary Deposits:
- Rajasthan: Degana mines in Nagaur district are historically significant for tungsten mining.
- Andhra Pradesh: Scheelite deposits in Srikakulam district.
- Karnataka: Concentrated reserves in Chitradurga and Mysuru regions.
- Current Status: India imports a significant portion of its tungsten requirements due to limited domestic production.
- Primary Deposits:
- Global Reserves & Producers:
- Major Tungsten Reserve-Holding Countries:
- China: Holds the largest tungsten reserves and accounts for over 80% of global production.
- Russia and Canada: Significant reserves and growing production capacity.
- Vietnam, Bolivia, and Austria: Other notable contributors to tungsten mining.
- Top Producers:
- China: Dominates global production due to vast reserves and advanced processing facilities.
- Russia: Increasing production for industrial and defense purposes.
- Austria and Bolivia: Key exporters to international markets.
- Major Tungsten Reserve-Holding Countries:
About the Controversy
- The Union Ministry of Mines recently awarded tungsten mining rights to Hindustan Zinc Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, through an auction on November 7, 2024.
- One of the chosen sites was the biodiversity-rich Melur region in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
- The auction was part of Tranche IV under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, focusing on strategic minerals like tungsten, phosphorite, and vanadium essential for high-tech and green energy applications.
- Significance of the Mining Site:
- The 2,015.51-hectare Nayakkarpatti tungsten block is known for its deposits of scheelite, a primary tungsten ore.
- The Periyar canal has been identified as the water source for mining operations.
- Despite its resource potential, the site overlaps with biodiversity heritage areas in Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages, which were designated to protect ecological and cultural assets.
Opposition to the Project
- Environmental Concerns:
- The biodiversity heritage site, notified by Tamil Nadu in 2022, spans 193.63 hectares across Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages.
- Environmentalists argue that mining could harm flora, fauna, and cultural landmarks, including ancient temples and Jain relics.
- Tailings from ore processing may release harmful metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead, posing risks to human health and the environment.
- Activist and Public Outcry:
- Environmental groups, including Poovulagin Nanbargal, highlighted the potential ecological damage.
- Activist R.S. Mugilan criticized Vedanta's environmental record, citing pollution from its copper smelting unit in Thoothukudi.
- Cultural Significance:
- The region is rich in heritage, and locals fear mining could distort its cultural identity.
Government’s Position
- State Government's Position:
- Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urged the Union government to cancel the mining rights, vowing to pass a resolution in the State Assembly to reject the project.
- The State government claims it informed the Centre about the biodiversity heritage site's existence during land discussions.
- Union Government’s Response:
- The Union Ministry of Mines contends there was no opposition from the Tamil Nadu government during the auction process, which began in February 2024.
Conclusion
- The tungsten mining project in Madurai underscores the complex balance between resource exploitation and environmental preservation.
- While the Union government highlights strategic benefits, the Tamil Nadu government and environmental groups emphasize protecting biodiversity and cultural heritage.
- The outcome of this controversy could set a precedent for how India navigates similar resource management disputes in the future.
Q1. What are Biodiversity Hotspots?
Biodiversity hotspots are regions that contain a high level of species diversity, many endemic species (species not found anywhere else in the world) and a significant number of threatened or endangered species.
Q2. What is the meaning of an Eco Sensitive Zone?
It is a type of designation of an area, which is rich in environmental resources and needs special protection. The concept of Eco Sensitive Zone was conceived during the XXI meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife held on 21st January, 2002, when the Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 2002 was adopted.