Over 1.10 lakh tonnes of waste processed in final phase at Ariyamangalam

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Phase III of bio-mining project under way at Ariyamangalam dumpyard in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: M. Moorthy

The third and final phase of biomining at the dumpyard at Ariyamangalam here is progressing steadily, with more than 1.10 lakh tonnes of legacy waste processed so far.

Spread across 47.70 acres, the dumpyard had for years been a recurring source of fires and foul odour, besides posing risks of groundwater contamination and public health concerns in surrounding areas.

Together, the three phases of biomining cover about 18.6 lakh cubic metres of legacy waste identified for scientific processing. Of this, around 10.9 lakh cubic metres have been fully processed and certified as completed under Phases I and II, while the remaining 7.7 lakh cubic metres are being taken up under Phase III at ₹44.01 crore.

The first two phases have resulted in the reclamation of nearly 39 acres of the dumpyard.

Phase III is aimed at scientifically processing about 7.7 lakh cubic metres of legacy waste identified through a detailed geophysical survey conducted by National Institute of Technology-Tiruchi (NIT-T). Unlike the earlier phases, the current operation involves significant quantities of waste below the surface.

According to the Corporation, more than 1.10 lakh tonnes of waste have been processed so far. The recovered refuse-derived fuel (RDF), soil and inert materials are being segregated and dispatched from the site.

Data from January to mid-September 2026 shows that more than 41,300 tonnes of recovered material, including around 9,270 tonnes of RDF and more than 32,000 tonnes of soil and construction-and-demolition waste, have been moved out of the facility.

More than 1.05 lakh tonnes of RDF generated at the site were dispatched to cement plants during the first two years of biomining.

With Phase III under way, Tiruchi Corporation is periodically conducting surveys to distinguish legacy waste from fresh waste reaching the dumpyard. The third phase is expected to be completed by 2027.

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