Chennai, June 4: The Tamil Nadu Department of Geology and Mining has decided to deploy advanced drone technology for monitoring mines across the state. This initiative follows a recent inspection campaign that uncovered numerous regulatory violations.
The decision was made after surprise inspections conducted by the Department of Natural Resources last week revealed irregularities in 155 mines across various districts. Officials believe that drone surveillance will help curb illegal mining and ensure strict compliance with regulations.
Natural Resources Minister T.K. Prabhu personally inspected mines in the districts of Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Virudhunagar, and Madurai. This campaign aimed to address violations in the mining sector. During the inspections, officials assessed ongoing operations, compliance with lease conditions, and adherence to regulations.
According to a government statement, a total of 431 mines were inspected during the campaign, with 155 found to be in violation of various operational guidelines. Following the investigation, the minister ordered an immediate halt to mining activities in all non-compliant mines. Violations included failure to adhere to lease terms, exceeding mining limits, and other regulatory irregularities.
The department has also initiated further action against suspended mine operators to prevent ongoing illegal mining and to stop the illicit transportation of minerals from affected areas.
Under this technological enhancement, the department has decided to conduct regular inspections of all leased mines using drones. These drones will be equipped with state-of-the-art monitoring systems to oversee excavation activities, ensure compliance with approved mining limits, and identify illegal operations.
Officials stated that inspections will be carried out statewide via drones, with mine leaseholders notified in advance. This technology will provide precise aerial imagery and real-time data, enhancing transparency and enabling quicker detection of regulatory violations.
The government believes that the use of advanced monitoring technology will strengthen control in the mining sector, curb illegal mining, and improve the protection of natural resources.
The recent actions and the decision to implement drone surveillance indicate that the state government is adopting a stringent approach against violations in mining operations.
Officials have stated that inspections and enforcement actions will continue in the coming months to ensure that mining activities in Tamil Nadu are conducted legally, transparently, and in an environmentally friendly manner.
Leave a Comment