Villagers oppose graphite extraction in Sivaganga

Villagers of Iluppaikudi and nearby areas staged a protest near Thirupuvanam here on Monday opposing the extraction of graphite by a private company.

They alleged that the establishment of the plant would severely impact agricultural lands and local irrigation tanks in their areas.

The villagers elaborated that the national mineral experts previously identified graphite reserves of three lakh tonnes to five lakh tonnes spanning 25 sq. km from Komalipatti to Poovanthi near Sivaganga.

Consequently, the State-owned Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited (TAMIN) acquired 900 acres of land in 1971, and the graphite plant has been operational since 1994.

As graphite is a critical mineral used in the manufacturing of pencils and lubricants, crucibles for melting metals like gold and iron, heat-resistant components for rockets and aircraft, the graphite extracted there was currently procured by companies from several other States.

Despite local residents’ complaints that the existing plant has damaged nearby lakes and farmlands, 236 hectares were acquired eight years ago for expansion amid stiff resistance, the villagers added.

“Recently, we learned that a contract was awarded in November 2023 to a private entity for graphite extraction. It is said that 633.5 hectares of land across Kumarapatti, Arasanur, and Iluppakudi are slated for acquisition,” alleged farmer Jyothiramalingam of Iluppakudi.

“Our region has already lost 500 acres to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and 775 acres for the Arasanur SIPCOT. Now, they intend to give away more than 1,500 acres for private graphite mining. The existing plant in Komalipatti has already ruined local lakes and lands. If this continues in our area, 10 irrigation tanks and 3,000 acres of farmland will be destroyed,” he argued.

Both the Centre and State government must drop the plan to allow private mining, he demanded.

A Revenue Department official stated: “Only survey work was previously conducted to identify the presence of graphite in those areas. No steps have been taken toward the establishment of a private plant.”