In order to proceed with its planned large-scale atomic mineral mining project in the Kanniyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, IREL (India) Limited has requested for Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) permission. The Union Environment Ministry has received the application, which is presently being reviewed.
With an annual production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes, the project intends to extract important minerals from 1,144 hectares in coastal Killiyoor taluk, including monazite, zircon, ilmenite, rutile, sillimanite, and garnet. It needs central environmental clearance and is categorized as a Category “A” project.
The action comes after the Atomic Energy Act of 1962’s 2025 exemption from required public hearings due to “strategic importance.” According to authorities, there will be little long-term environmental damage from the mining operation, which would entail excavation and progressive land restoration.
However, because a sizable portion of the project area is located within ecologically sensitive CRZ zones, worries still exist. Concerns about land ownership, environmental hazards, and the requirement for private landholders’ consent have also been brought up by local stakeholders.
The project, which is expected to cost ₹31.25 crore, is a significant step in bolstering India’s critical mineral resources.
Source – The New Indian Express
