Scramble for precious metals inside defunct HPF plant in Udhagamandalam poses problems for Forest Department

The search for precious metals is fuelling local residents’ interest around the Hindustan Photo Films (HPF) factory where multiple groups of people are reportedly entering the premises illegally in search of trace amounts of precious metals that were discarded from the factory when it was closed.

The illegal scramble for what’s left of the metals came into focus after seven people, identified as A. Suresh, A. Abbas, C. Arun, K. Bashir, V. Seeni, S. Sivakumar and T. Mani were arrested by the Forest Department on Friday with sacks of soil and digging equipment from around the factory. Over the last few months, multiple people have been arrested for illegally entering the plant which stands on land leased from the Forest Department.

When contacted, top officials from the Department said that the now defunct company floated tenders a few months ago to remove scrap and precious metals left behind from inside the company premises. They had used local labourers, mostly from around the Thalakundha area to remove the materials. It is believed that information about the presence of trace amounts of precious metals, including silver and gold, was passed onto local residents, who have begun infiltrating the factory complex, especially around its furnace, in search of precious metals.

N. Mohanraj, a former employee of the Hindustan Photo Films factory, said the sludge from producing photographic films would often contain precious metals, which would be sold. “However, whatever now remains are just trace amounts, with the extremely high prices in precious metals like gold fuelling people’s interest in trying to extract a few grams of precious metals,” said Mr. Mohanraj.

While there is seemingly no risk from the metals themselves, officials say the factory itself is in a state of ruin and is a safety hazard, with many prospectors entering during the night.

“Though there are security guards at the gate, there are many entrances and openings where people can slip through unnoticed,” said a Forest Department official. Patrols around the area have been stepped up to prevent people from entering, the official added.