Nayakkarpatti tungsten block: Centre asks GSI to re-examine boundary, Tamil Nadu to hold Letter of Intent
The Ministry of Mines on 24 December 2024 asked the Geological Survey of India to explore redefining the Nayakkarpatti tungsten block to exclude a biodiversity heritage site.
Summary
The Ministry of Mines issued a clarification on 24 December 2024 on the auction of the Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Block in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, after representations against the auction on the ground that a biodiversity heritage site lies within the block. The Geological Survey of India was requested to re-examine the block and explore redefining its boundary to exclude the site, and the Tamil Nadu government was asked to keep the Letter of Intent to the preferred bidder on hold for the time being. The ministry said the State had reported a biodiversity site of 193.215 hectares, about 10% of the block, without recommending against the auction. The block, over 20.16 sq km, was auctioned as a composite licence, which is a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease. The ministry said it had auctioned 24 critical and strategic mineral blocks in four tranches, and that the Letter of Intent and licences are issued by the State Government.
Key facts
- Date
- 24 December 2024, Ministry of Mines clarification
- Block
- Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Block, Madurai district; over 20.16 sq km
- GSI
- Asked to re-examine and explore redefining the boundary to exclude the biodiversity site
- Tamil Nadu
- Asked to keep the Letter of Intent on hold for the time being
- Biodiversity site
- 193.215 ha, about 10% of the block area
- Composite licence
- Prospecting licence-cum-mining lease
- Auctions
- 24 critical and strategic mineral blocks in four tranches
- Role of State
- Issues the LoI, composite licence and mining lease; revenue accrues to the State
Practice MCQs 3 questions
In its clarification of 24 December 2024, the Ministry of Mines asked which body to re-examine the Nayakkarpatti tungsten block and explore redefining its boundary?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Geological Survey of India
PIB (Mines): the Geological Survey of India (GSI) was requested to re-examine the block and explore the possibility of redefining its boundary by excluding the biodiversity heritage site.
According to the Ministry of Mines, the biodiversity heritage site reported by Tamil Nadu covered about what share of the Nayakkarpatti tungsten block?
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Correct answer: D — About 10%
PIB (Mines): the State Government informed about a biodiversity site covering 193.215 ha, about 10% of the total area of the block.
Consider the following statements in the context of the Ministry of Mines' clarification on the Nayakkarpatti block (24 December 2024): 1. A composite licence is a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease. 2. The Letter of Intent to the preferred bidder is issued by the Ministry of Mines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Mines): a composite licence refers to a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease; the ministry's role is limited to the auction, and the Letter of Intent, composite licence and mining lease are issued by the State Government, so statement 2 is wrong.