Nod given to mining near Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant: activists

Chennai: Social activists on Friday alleged that department of geology and mining has given a new licence for a mining company to undertake beach sand mining near Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in violation of rules. 

 

According to activist Era. Sa. Mugilan, co-ordinator, Tamil Nadu Sutru Sulal Pathugapu Iyakkam, the mining department has awarded a 20-year lease on August 12, 2011, to mine an area of 300 hectares comprising Chettikulam, Koodankulam and Irukkandurai in Tirunelveli. “As per the guidelines of Atomic Energy Commission, no mining activity should take place within a radius of five km. However, the mining department has violated the AEC guideline by allotting areas falling within 5 km radius for beach sand mining,” he told reporters here.

 

Mr Mugilan said that new licence was issued a day after the officials of KKNPP conducted hot run test which created panic among  villagers leading to launch of the sustained anti-nuclear plant agitation. He noted that limestone mining by a cement company in the vicinity of the nuclear plant was banned as it fell within five km radius. 

 

An official of department of geology and mining said that mining of beach sand within the five km radius of the nuclear plant is permitted as it is a rare mineral and it does not require explosives. Earlier, a group of anti corruption, environmental and social activists who held a discussion, decided to float an organisation to help Madras High court appointed U. Sagayam committee to probe illegal mining issue.