Tue Jan 28 18:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Government Cancels Controversial Tungsten Mining Auction in Tamil Nadu

**Madurai, Tamil Nadu, January 29, 2025** – The Union Government has abruptly cancelled the auction of the Nayakkarpatti tungsten block in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, following widespread protests and concerns over environmental and cultural impacts. This marks a rare swift reversal for the Narendra Modi government in the face of opposition.

The auction, part of eight strategic mineral blocks put up for sale last February, awarded the contract to Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc Limited in October to mine a 2,015.51-hectare area. However, the proximity to Arittapatti, Tamil Nadu’s first biodiversity heritage site, raised significant concerns. The site contains historical cave temples, Jain symbols, Tamil Brahmi scripts, and habitats for rare species.

While the Centre initially defended the project, citing only a small portion of the area overlapping with the biodiversity site, it ultimately annulled the auction after a meeting with community leaders and the BJP State president, K. Annamalai. The Ministry had previously deferred issuing a Letter of Intent and requested a boundary redefinition from the Geological Survey of India (GSI), but the auction was cancelled before the GSI could complete its assessment.

The decision raises questions about the influence of politics, given the strategic importance of tungsten – a crucial metal for defense and high-technology industries with limited domestic sources. While Tamil Nadu had raised environmental concerns, there’s no indication of overt opposition from the DMK government to the auction itself. Reports suggest that the State had previously sought permission to mine tungsten through joint ventures.

Experts suggest the government could have been more effective by consulting with the state and awaiting the GSI report before making a decision, allowing for a balanced approach between environmental protection and the country’s strategic need for tungsten. The scarcity of tungsten and its importance to various industries cannot be overstated.

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