67 stone quarries shut, 469 vehicles seized, 78 illegal mining sites found in statewide crackdown

Inspection Drive at Quarries Across Tamil Nadu Pursuant to continued action ordered by Hon'ble Minister for Natural Resources Dr. T.K. Prabhu, inspections carried out by Mineral Resources Department officials found that 67 quarries operating in violation of rules were temporarily halted, 469 vehicles found transporting minerals without proper permission were seized, and illegal mineral extraction was detected at 78 locations, with action taken as per the rules. Across Tamil Nadu, more than 2,000 quarries have been granted permission by the Mineral Resources Department for stone quarrying. There have been continuing complaints that stones are being quarried in excess of the quantity permitted by the government at these quarries. Similarly, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has notified various regulations regarding the extent of stone that may be extracted from quarries. It is alleged that these regulations are being violated in many places. There have also been complaints that the monitoring teams known as "Deputy Mines," who are meant to oversee the quarries, have failed to monitor them properly. Therefore, the Hon'ble Minister ordered the respective District Mineral Resources officers across Tamil Nadu to immediately inspect all quarries to determine whether stones were being quarried as per the permission granted by the government, whether extraction exceeded the sanctioned limit, whether quarries were operating illegally without government permission, and whether minerals were being transported in vehicles with proper authorization, and to take appropriate action in all such cases. In this regard, the Hon'ble Minister for Natural Resources conducted surprise inspections last week at quarries in Tenkasi, Kanniyakumari, Virudhunagar and Madurai districts, and ordered the temporary closure of quarries found operating in violation of rules. Further, in accordance with the Minister's directions, Mineral Resources Department officials across Tamil Nadu conducted intensive inspections over the past week. Based on this, 431 quarries were inspected, of which violations were found at 155 quarries; operations at 67 quarries have been temporarily halted and penalty action taken. Further action to halt operations at the remaining 88 quarries is underway. Additionally, inspections carried out across Tamil Nadu over the past month found illegal mineral extraction at 78 locations, with further action being taken as per law. Inspection of vehicles transporting minerals resulted in the seizure of 469 vehicles found illegally transporting minerals; penalties and criminal proceedings are being initiated as per the relevant rules. Furthermore, unauthorized quarrying of limestone on patta (title) lands in Salem and Dindigul districts was detected by Mineral Resources officials, and cases have been registered with criminal proceedings initiated. In Tiruchirappalli district, unauthorized extraction of quartz mineral on patta lands was detected by Mineral Resources officials, and a case has been registered with criminal proceedings initiated. Lessees have been instructed that all future mining and quarrying operations must be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved mining plan and the terms of the quarry lease. It has also been advised that where lease periods have expired, where quarries are currently non-operational, or where minerals are found to be illegally extracted from government or patta lands, penalty and criminal action will be taken as per the applicable rules. Issued By: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9