Tamil Nadu geology, mining dept to conduct enhanced drone inspection to find illegal mining

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Geology and Mining Department has decided to inspect mining sites in the state with drones equipped with enhanced technology, official sources said.

This move is initiated after physical inspections conducted by authorities over the past week, which revealed violations in 155 quarries.

An official release from the department said the Minister for Natural Resources, T K Prabhu, carried out surprise inspections of quarries in Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Virudhunagar and Madurai districts last week and ordered the immediate suspension of quarries operating in violation of rules.


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A total of 431 quarries were inspected, and violations were found at 155 quarries, the release said.

The department has decided to take follow-up measures against the temporarily suspended quarries, to prevent illegal quarrying, and to stop the unauthorised removal of minerals by vehicles.

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Officials of the mining department have emphasised that, in future, drone inspections equipped with enhanced technology should be conducted in all lease areas after giving advance notice to lessees.