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MINING: A GUIDE TO INDIA’S WEALTH, ITS RESOURCE CURSE |
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Map:  Hotspots
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State
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 The state has reserves of over 45 minerals. The major minerals produced include coal, limestone, manganese, bauxite, diamond, graphite and sand.
Accounts for country's largest limestone reserves.
Produces 96% of the India's barites, 40% limestone and 30% bauxite from 1482 mines.
Is the country's biggest contributor to the value of minerals produced.
Of the state's total mineral value, coal alone accounts for a major share (53% in 2004-05).
About 206,250 ha of land is presently under mining in the state
Kurnool, Nellore, Anantapur and Kadapa are the big mining districts.
About 13,532 ha of the state's forest land has been diverted for mining between 1980-2005
MIning provides employment to over 5 lakh people
Home to many power and cement plants
Protests by tribal communities over calcite mining in Nimmalapadu village led to the landmark Samata judgement of the Supreme Court.
Nalconda and Kadapa is witnessing protests by locals against the proposed uranium mining by UCIL. Simuilarly, bauxite mining in the state's Western Ghats is being strongly opposed, as it may dry up water resources. |
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| NIMMALAPADU |
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The name is synonymous with the first successful mining protest by tribals. The company in question was Aditya Birla Group’s Birla Periclase, which wanted to mine calcite in the area.
A 10-year struggle led to a historical judgement in 1997, widely known as the Samata judgement, in which the Court ruled that the state had no right to grant leases in areas governed by the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. Only cooperative societies jointly run by tribals could mine in such areas. The tribals were ably supported in this struggle by a Hyderabad-based NGO, Samata.
Today, the judgement has become the biggest thorn in the side of state governments who want to promote mining and mineral-based industry. They are looking at various ways to circumvent the Samata judgement.
So far the tribals have resisted any mining companies and they continue to live their own lives. However, they allege that due to their opposition to mining projects, often they are overlooked for government related aid. |
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