PKA/Gonua/MoEF/ Date:

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2 PKA/Gonua/MoEF/ Date: To The Director, Ministry of Environment & Forests (Central) Eastern Regional Office A/3 - Chandrasekharpur Bhubaneswar Sub:- Sir, Half Yearly Progressive Compliance Report Regarding the Environmental Clearance accorded by the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India, to the project Expansion of Gonua Iron & Mn. Mine of Shri Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia (from 0.14 MTPA to 0.36 MTPA) for the period from October 2017 to March We are enclosing herewith the Half Yearly Progressive Compliance Report for the period from October 2017 to March-2018, regarding Environmental Clearance accorded vide letter No.J-11015/201/2005.I.A.II(M) Dt by the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India, to the project Expansion of Gonua Iron & Mn. Mine of Shri Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia (from MTPA to 0.36 MTPA). This is for your kind information. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, For Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia General Manager Encl: 1. Compliance Report. 2. Soft copy in a form of CD of Compliance Report.

3 HALF YEARLY PROGRESSIVE CLEARANCE ACCORDED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FOREST, GOVT. OF INDIA, TO THE PROJECT EXPANSION OF GANUA IRON & MN. MINE OF SHRI PAWAN KUMAR AHLUWALIA (FROM MTPA TO 0.36 TPA) FOR THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER-2017 TO MARCH Name of the Project Gonua Iron & Mn. Mine of Sri Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia 2 Ministry s clearance letter No. & Date J-11015/201/2005.I.A.II(M) Dt Present Status Presently no mining operation is being taken up. S.N. Specific Conditions Status of Compliance 1. No mining operation or developmental activity shall be taken up in the remaining forest land till necessary forestry clearance has been obtained for the same. Present mining operation has been discontinued since 23 rd August, 2011 due to want of statutory permissions. During continuation, the mining operation & developmental activities were restricted to the permitted forest land only. Proposal for diversion of total forest land in the lease for the renewal period effecting from 5 th October 2010 has been submitted to the Government. Working will be taken up only after obtaining the approval from MoEF and their guidelines. 2. Overburden and mineral rejects should be stacked at earmarked site(s)/storage dumps. Plantation should be taken up for soil stabilization along the slopes of the dump and terraced after every 5-6 m of height and overall slope angle shall be maintained not exceeding 28. Garland drains will be provided around the excavations to prevent storm water from catchment area to come in contact with freshly excavated areas. Toe drains will be provided all along the toe of the dump to arrest any soil erosion. Loose material slopes will be planted by making contour trenches at 2m intervals to check soil erosion. We have stacked overburden on one overburden dump (inactive & stabilized) and sub-grades on two nos. of sub grade dumps separately at the earmarked site within our lease hold area. The said dumps have been terraced at every 5-6 mts. height and overall slope been maintained less than Plantation has been taken up over the inactive OB dump on the terrace as well as slopes. To prevent the contact of storm water with fresh excavated area, barrier has been provided along the top of bench of the quarry so that the water from outside will not enter inside the quarry. Retaining walls, garland drains, and settling pits are provided along the toe of the dumps. 3. Check dams and siltation ponds of appropriate size should be constructed to arrest silt and sediment flows from the mining operations. The water so collected should be utilized for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development etc. The drains should be regularly de-silted and maintained. Garland drain (size, gradient & length) and sump capacity should be designed keeping 50% safety margin over and above the peak sudden rainfall and Retaining wall and garland drain each of 186 mts. length X 1.5 mts. width (in cumulative) and two nos. of settling ponds of 8 mts X 6 mts. X 5 mts. and 8 mts. X 3 mts. X 2.5 mts. size(in cumulative) have been constructed at the strategic points. The settling ponds are being de-silted timely. The depth of the settling ponds have been increased by manual means so that those are of adequate size to retain the water of their catchment areas.

4 maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site. Sump capacity should also provide adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material. 4. Mine water discharge and/or any wastewater should be properly treated to meet the prescribed standards before reuse/discharge. Run-off from OB dumps and other surface run-off should be analyzed for iron and in case its concentration if found higher than the permissible limit, the water should be treated before discharge/reuse. 5. Drills should be wet operated with dust extractors and controlled blasting shall be practiced. Presently, construction of the protective measures like series of check dams/silting ponds are not possible as the mining operation in the lease area has been suspended since August-2011 due to want of forest clearance for the renewal period and subsequently the lease has been declared as lapsed by the State Government of Odisha, Dept. of Steel & Mines vide letter No dated and we are in process for grant of extension of lease. We assure that, after grant of extension of lease, obtaining forest clearance and operation started in the area, the protective measures can be upgraded including additional work to stop flowing of silt if any. The possibility of discharge of waste water is negligible as there is no mining operation since August Proper action will be taken up when mining operation in the area will be re-started after obtaining the clearances. When mining was in operation, wet drilling by in-built wet drilling machine as well as controlled blasting were being adopted at our mines. When the mining operation will start again, the same systems will be continued to reduce dust generation. 6. All approach roads shall be black topped. The approach road is a public road being used commonly by other nearby lessees. It needs Govt. s approval to make it black topped. Once the approvals are obtained, we are ready to contribute and take up the job in consultation with the local villagers as well as the co-user Lessees. 7. A total area of ha shall be afforested. Plantation should also be raised along the roads, dump sites, all around the ML area, and in other areas by planting native plant species in consultation with local DFO/Agriculture Department. At least 2000 plant species/ha should be planted. The lease area over ha comprises of ha. of agricultural land, ha. of forest land, ha of waste land and ha of other land. No plantation could be taken up this year during June-Sept However, total cumulative plantation has been taken up of nos. saplings (including casualty replacement) in and around the mine covering an area total area of ha. Out of which, we have planted 24,650 nos. plants inside the lease over ha. (12,250 nos. in the safety zone area along the ML boundary ha. and nos. on the dump ha.) and numbers plants over ha at outside lease area in Gonua village.

5 Native plant species have been purchased from the Range Forest office, Koira, Govt. of Odisha. Mixed species plantations are maintained. 8. Mining shall not intersect ground water. Prior approval of the MoEF and CGWA shall be obtained for mining below groundwater. According to hydro-geological report prepared, present depth of ground water level is at 567mts. R.L. However our bottom most mines working level is of mts. R.L. Hence there is no intersection of mining with ground water level and as per the proposal also the working will be confined far above the ground water level. The hydrological study will be taken up after starting of operation in the lease. 9. Water harvesting and water conservation measures such as construction of check dams, ponds, water holes, in and around the mining lease area shall be undertaken. 10. Regular monitoring of ground water level and quality should be carried out by establishing a network of existing wells and constructing new piezometeres. The monitoring of ground water level should be done at least four times a year in pre-monsoon (April/May), monsoon (August), postmonsoon(november) and winter (January) seasons and for ground water quality once (may). Data thus collected should be submitted to the Ministry of environment & Forests and to Regional Office of the CGWB regularly. 11. A Consent to Operate should be obtained from SPCB before expanding mining activities. One water harvesting pond of size 50m.x35m.x5m. (Storage capacity of 8740m 3 ) has been constructed at a distance of 200m. from the lease boundary. After obtaining the statutory clearance one more pond for the purpose can be located inside the lease area to recharge the harvest rain water to augment the ground water level. Construction of new piezometres will be established to know about the water table level after re-start of the mine operation. We have obtained the consent to operate order no.3264 dated , from OSPCB,BBSR for EC capacity of 0.36 MTPA (Iron ore) which is valid up to A plan shall be prepared for conservation of endangered fauna found in the forest area and shall be implemented in consultation with identified agencies/institutions and the State Government. The costs for the specific activities/tasks should be earmarked in the Conservation plan and shall not be diverted for any other purpose. Year-wise status of the implementation of the Plan and the expenditure thereon should be reported to the Ministry of The Site Specific Wildlife Conservation plan has been prepared for conservation of endangered fauna in the forest area in consultation with Forest Department and approved by the C.C.F (Wildlife). We have deposited Rs lakhs in CAMPA fund towards the implementation of the Plan in Buffer Zone. The implementation of the plan in the lease area will be taken up in consultation with the Forest Dept. Besides the above, an amount of Rs.37,36,098/- has been

6 Environment & Forests, RO, Bhubaneswar. 13. A final Mine Closure Plan along with details of Corpus Fund should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests 5 years in advance of final mine closure for approval. deposited by us at the office of DFO, Bonai towards the cost of Regional Wild Life Management Plan, as per demand. The Progressive Mine Closure Plan has already been prepared and approved by IBM, but for the preparation of Final Mine Closure Plan, it will be submitted to the statutory authority before five years of the closure of the mine. Sl. No. General Conditions Status of Compliance 1. No change in mining technology and scope of working should be made without prior approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. 2. No change in the calendar plan including excavation, quantum of mineral ore and wastes produced should be made. 3. Ambient air quality monitoring station should be established in the core zone as well as in the buffer zone for RPM, SPM, SO 2, and NOx monitoring. Location of the station should be decided best on the metrological data, topographically features and environmentally and ecologically sensitive targets in consolation with the state Pollution Control board. 4. Data on ambient air quality should be regularly submitted to the ministry including its regional office at Bhubaneswar and to the state pollution control board / central pollution control board once in six months. 5. Fugitive dust emissions from the entire source should be controlled regularly monitored and data record properly. Water spraying arrangement on the haul roads, wagon loadings, dumpers/trucks, loading and There is no change in mining technology and its scope of working which is being taken up as per the approved Mining Plan. Necessary approval will be taken for if any change. As mining operation is under suspension for whole the year, the production is nil during the period and hence the change in calendar plan including excavation, quantity of mineral and wastes product does not arise. The Monitoring stations have been established in the sensitive areas both in core zone as well as buffer zone for study of RPM, SPM, SO 2 & NOx in Fugitive and Ambient Air. The data on Ambient air quality (RPM, SPM, SO 2 & NOx) is being submitted to the State MoEF, S.P.C.B. Bhubaneswar and also to Central Pollution Central Pollution Control Board regularly. Mining operation has been discontinued since August During operation, regular water sprinkling was being done by mobile water sprinkler mounted on the truck, on haul roads and at other dust generating area to control dust emission. In-built dust suppression systems are provided in the drills, Screen plants to control dust

7 unloading points should be provided and properly maintained. Crushers and conveyors shall be enclosed and provided with dust extractions system near the source of generation. 6. Adequate measures should be taken for control of noise levels bellow 85dBA in the work environment. Workers engaged in blasting and drilling operations, operations of HEMM, etc should be provided with ear plugs/muffs. Workers in noise generating areas and engaged with noise generating machinery should be subjected to audio metric tests annually. 7. Industrial waste water (work shop and waste water from the mine) should be properly collected, treated so as to confirm to the standards prescribed under GSR422(E) dtd.19 th may 1993 and 31 st December 1993 or as amended from time to time, oil and grease trap and retention ponds should be installed before discharge of work shop effluents. effectively. Monitoring is done for the air quality. Necessary medical test is done for the workers time to time. As the mining operation is closed, there is no generation of industrial effluent water in the lease area. During the mining operation, maximum of the machineries were engaged on hired basis. The machineries are maintained out-side the lease area. 8. The data of environmental quality should be collected and analyzed either through an in-house environmental laboratory established with adequate number and type of pollution monitoring and analysis equipment or got analyzed through an approved laboratory under the environment (protection) rules 1986 in consultation with State Pollution Control Board. 9 Personal working in dusty areas should wear protective respiratory devices and they should be provided with adequate training and information on safety and health assets. Monitoring of different parameters is being carried out by an approved laboratory named M/s. Mitra S. K. Pvt. Ltd. located at Barbil, Keonjhar, Odisha. During the mining operation adequate dust mask/ppe are provided to employees engaged in dusty area. Employees are also given regular awareness and training and information on safety & health. 10. Occupational health surveillance (i) Till date 306 nos. mine workers have been examined on

8 program of the workers should be undertaken periodically to observe any contractions due to exposures to dust and take corrective measure, if needed. Audio metric tests shall be taken annually for workers in noise generating areas and corrective measure under taken if required. (ii) (iii) (iv) IME/PME basis. During operation of mines, occupational health surveillance program of the workers was being undertaken periodically to observe any contractions due to exposures to dust generated during mining operation and corrective measures are taken up. For Regular health check up of mine workers, weekly a MBBS doctor from CESS was visiting our mine and a Pharmacist was employed in our mine for full time basis up to year No contravention has been found till date as per the report obtained during IME/PME record conducted every year. 11. The funds earmarked for environmental protection measure should be kept in separate account and should not be diverted for other purpose. Year wise expenditure should be reported to the Ministry and its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar. We have not diverted any fund earmarked for the Mine environment protection measures for other purpose in the project. Expenses during the period April-2017 to September-2017 as under: S.N. Item details Cost in Lac. 1 Monitoring of air, noise, water & Effluent standard at mines. 2 Maintenance of earlier constructed retaining wall & garland drains and de-silting of settling ponds of dumps Drinking water supply local villagers and mine workers. 4 Watcher charges for conservation of fauna in the forest area in consultation with Forest department Plantation Medical facilities at mine, training, information on safety and health aspects 0.00 TOTAL The Regional office of this Ministry located at Bhubaneswar shall monitor compliance of the stipulated conditions. The project authorities should extend full cooperation to the officer(s) of the regional office by furnishing the requisite data / information / monitoring reports. 13 A copy of clearance letter will be marked to concerned panchayat/local NGO if any, from whom and suggestions / representation has been received while processing the proposal. We are extending full cooperation to the officers of the Ministry by furnishing the requisite data/information/monitoring reports. It has been complied with.

9 14 The State Pollution Control Board should display a copy of the clearance letter at the Regional Office. District industry centre and collector s office / Tehsildars office for 30 days. It has been complied. 15 The project authorities should advertise at least in two local news papers widely circulated around the project, one of which shall be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned within seven days of the issue of the clearance letter informing that the project has been accorded environmental clearance and a copy of the clearance letter is available with the state Pollution control Board and may also be seen at Web Site of the Ministry of Environment and Forests at and a copy of the same should be forwarded to the Regional office of this ministry located at Bhubaneswar. The compliance report is being uploaded on our web site and has been done up to the report of (October-2017 to March-2018). Plantation details: Plantation during the year : Nil Cumulative plantation : Nos. in and out side lease area. Species : Acasia, Karanja, Chakunda, Radhachuda, Sisoo, Gamhar, Teak etc. Area : ha. For Gonua Iron & Manganese Mines of P. K. Ahluwalia General Manager

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