With the Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited (TANMIN) proposing to carry out fresh mining of black granite at 31.35 ha in Kaveripuram village in Mettur Taluk, a public hearing was organised in Kolathur here on Wednesday.
The proposed quantity of black granite to be mined is about 1002.2 metric tonnes over a period of five years. As TANMIN need to get the Environmental Clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, it is mandatory that as per the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification dated September 14, 2006, the views of the public should be ascertained before carrying out granite mining.
The hearing was chaired by Collector K. Maharabushanam in the presence of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board District Environment Engineer K. Gokuladoss and officials from TANMIN.
Villagers said that their cattle graze in the proposed area and quarrying would affect their livelihood.
They also said that farmlands located near the site should not be affected and sought assurance from the Government before initiating the process.
The villagers also demanded that educated unemployed youths in the area should be given Government jobs. The officials said that all measures would be in place before initiating the process. The report would be forwarded to higher officials for further process, the officials added.
