Eco Friendly Coal Mining in. Western Coalfields Limited

Transcription

1 Eco Friendly Coal Mining in Western Coalfields Limited

2 Eco Friendly Coal Mining in Western Coalfields Limited 1.0 Introduction Western Coalfields Limited, Miniratna Cat.I PSU, (Government of India), a subsidiary of Navratna Public Sector Undertaking - Coal India Limited, came into being in 1975 with its Head office at Nagpur in Maharashtra, is engaged in mining through 86 mines spread in its 10 areas located in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and marketing of Coal with a strong customer base comprising power, cement, steel, chemicals, fertilizers, paper and brick kilns etc in South, North and Central India. The company with a workforce of employees including 2175 executives (as on ), has produced million tonnes of coal, against a target of million tonnes and has marketed a quantity of million tonnes coal with a gross turnover of Rs 6748 crores and earned a pre-tax profit of Rs crores in the year In pursuit of its vision as To emerge as a key player in the primary energy sector committed to provide energy security to the country by attaining environmentally & socially sustainable growth through best practices from mine to market, WCL has been awarded with prizes for Corporate Excellence at different forums for its unique achievement of Excellent rating in Performance Appraisal against MOU Targets for 3 years in a row. 2.0 Environmental Policy Western Coalfields Ltd. (WCL) is one of the eight subsidiary companies of Coal India limited (CIL). The jurisdiction/ command area of WCL is spread over Chandrapur, Yeotmal & Nagpur districts of Maharashtra as well as Chhindwara & Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh. A comprehensive and well-defined Environmental Policy has been framed and issued by CIL in July, 1995, which has been adopted as Corporate Policy by all subsidiary companies including WCL. The Objective and strategies of Corporate Environmental Policy are given below. The main corporate objective is to achieve the principle of SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT in line with the National Environment Policy within the framework of legislations, Acts, Rules, guidelines and directives of the statutory bodies viz. MOEF, CPCB and SPCB. It includes carrying out activities in consonance with provisions of EIA/EMP to protect and improve the mining environment alongwith compliance of

3 environmental statutes, guidelines and instructions of statutory Govt agencies. To ensure building up required organisational capacity at all levels to meet the challenges of environmental compliance. To fully integrate environmental impact assessment and management plan with mine planning, design and operation. To mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of mining to the maximum extent possible, so that the coal sector is accepted as socially and environmentally responsible. To educate and train the environment personnel and inculcate awareness on environment protection at all levels of the company for achieving the environmental objectives. To achieve the above objectives, the following strategies have been prescribed : All mine planning and design should be environmentally acceptable and development should be carried out in such a way as to facilitate the maintenance of acceptable environmental standard of quality during mining and eventually reclamation of the land for the end use stipulated in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Reclamation of mined out areas will aim to achieve a post mining condition consistent with the proposed terminal land use. Progressive reclamation will be carried out as soon as the mined out areas become dormant. In case of dragline mining, where no further dumping is stipulated, reclamation will be concurrent so as to minimise the delay between mining and productive post-mining land use. Reclamation technology will be developed to suit Indian ecological conditions. Objectives of the environmental initiative. Restoring the surrounding area affected by coal mining operations so as to maintain clean air to breath in, clean water to drink and clean and quiet atmosphere for safe and healthy life of all living creatures as well as plant kingdom. This is achieved by adhering to our corporate environment policy through integration of planning to execution and compliance of environmental standards / Statutes as well as conforming to International Standards on environment management (ISO 14001).

4 3.0 Organization The hierarchical structure of Environment Department along with responsibilities at each level is given below: Environment Department Hierarchical Structure Chart FUNCTIONAL HEAD AREA LEVEL PROJECT LEVEL GENERAL MANAGER (ENVIRONMENT) AREA NODAL OFFICER (ENVIRONMENT) NODAL OFFICER (ENVIRONMENT) Responsibilities at each level: a. Head of Department / GM (Environment) : GM (Environment) is the functional head of WCL Environment Department to facilitate implementation of corporate strategy for achieving sustainable development and environment protection in the command area of WCL, by means of following activities: i. To get the corporate environmental policy implemented in the entire company; ii. To get the EIAs and EMPs implemented in all the projects / working mines / units through the concerned Area / Sub Area administration; iii. To liaise with the Statutory Bodies of Central and State Govt. viz. MOEF, CPCB, SPCBs and other agencies like CGWB, NEERI etc; iv. To provide technical support to the Area/Project authorities for implementation of mitigation measures, compliance of directives and conditions with respect to Environment matters issued by MOEF and SPCBs and in showcasing the achievements made by WCL in pollution mitigation and statutory compliances.

5 b. Area Nodal Officer (Environment) : i. To plan and programme the implementation of pollution mitigation measures as per the corporate environment policy having the overall responsibility to fulfill the commitments of WCL in compliance to the directives and conditions given in EC and CTO for the mines under his jurisdiction. ii. To get the EIAs and EMPs implemented in all the projects / working mines / units through the concerned Sub Area administration. iii. To liaise with the respective State Govt. such as SPCBs and other agencies like District Administration and people s representatives. c. Nodal Officer (Environment) : i. To implement the pollution mitigation programme as per plan and budget as formulated by the Corporate Office and Area Nodal Officer (Environment) in the project/mine under his jurisdiction. ii. To implement the EIAs and EMPs in working mines / units. iii. To liaise with the SPCBs, Local administration and people s representatives. 4.0 Eco-friendly mining in WCL: A) WCL has been playing a pro-active role in Environment Protection so as to ensure that its mining operations are carried out in environmentally compatible manner for achieving sustainable development of the country simultaneously meeting the national coal demand. B) Pollution control measures are taken concurrently with mining operations for maintaining acceptable levels of major parameters of environment i.e. air, water, noise and land environment. The control measures for abatement of air, water and noise pollution as well as land degradation are briefly listed below : Development of green belt in Mining Areas by massive afforestation / tree plantation of lakhs covering 6254 hectares.

6 AFFORESTATION ON OB TOP AND SLOPE AT UKNI OCM View Point Concurrent reclamation and rehabilitation of mined out Areas (subject to technical feasibility as per geo mining conditions) for gainful land use. Afforestation Measures in WCL:- Coal mining in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh began in first part of twentieth century by the private colliery owners, a time when there was not an iota of awareness on environmental degradation and sustainable mining practices. Subsequently, the ownership of coal mines changed hands and finally in 1975 the coal mines were nationalized by the Government of India, when WCL was formed. The legacy WCL obtained from the erstwhile private mines was endless degradation of air, water and land environment since coal is situated

7 deep inside the earth s crust in a geographical highly scattered fashion as was desired by the mother earth, man has no other choice than to dug out the coal from where it is situated. In the process, man had to remove the overburden (OB) soil and rocks, disposal of which again degraded the environment further. However, man is a thinking animal and therefore awareness about environment dawned to him as a part of natural thought process and also by experiencing the environmental hazards being faced in and around the mining areas. WCL also contributed to this thought process by first identifying the problem areas affecting the environment and chalked out long term Afforestation / Plantation programme on mass scale in and around its coal mines located in Nagpur, Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts in Maharashtra State, and, Chhindwara and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh. The achievement of WCL in the sphere of afforestation is briefly given below:- Since Nationalisation up to April, 2010, the total plantation done by WCL is lakhs covering an area of 6,254 Ha. with an average survival rate of 70%. Afforestation done in Maharashtra State : 1,35,45,639 Nos. (Covering an area of 4880 Ha.) Afforestation done Madhya Pradesh State : 38,15,234 Nos. (Covering an area of 1374 Ha.) Next 4 years Afforestation Programme in WCL mines :- (i) Around coal mines in Maharashtra State : 10,10,000 Nos. (Covering an area of 400 Ha.) (ii) Around coal mining areas in Madhya Pradesh State : 1,78,000 Nos. (Covering an area of 71 Ha.) Afforestation works and its maintenance are done in WCL by expert forest agencies namely, Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd. (FDCM) and Madhya Pradesh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam Ltd. (MPRVVN). Technical guidance for afforestation, particularly on OB spoil dumps is also obtained from National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a premier environmental engineering research institute located in Nagpur. Plantation is done on OB dumps, on the land backfilled after extraction of coal, around colonies, along coal transport roads, Coal Handling Plants etc. The plantation programme of WCL is aimed at :- Achieving green cover on its acquired land in conformity with the National Environment Policy.

8 Creating social forestry for the benefit of local population, by planting mixed variety of saplings : - Timber yielding : 40% - Fruit bearing : 25% - Medicinal : 15% - Ornamental/Others : 20% Developing Green Belts around major dust generating sources by planting big foliage, big canopied trees of high ecological importance. Biologically reclaiming the land damaged by mining activities in systematic and planned manner to bring back to its original land use. Maintaining the ambient air quality parameters viz Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable Particulate Matter (RPM), Sox, NOx etc. within the permissible limits prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board. Developing the green cover to the barren OB dump top and slopes with suitable plants introducing bio technological nutrients under the guidance of NEERI scientists. Challenges faced by WCL in implementing afforestation programme : WCL had to overcome big challenges in its phenomenal achievements in the sphere of afforestation. However, with systematic approach and introduction of new state of the art technologies under the guidance of premier research institutions, WCL has overcome these challenges which are briefed below :- No top soil cover was available on backfilled areas and on OB dumps, which is essential for growth of green plants. WCL under the able guidance of NEERI tackled the problem with Integrated Biotechnological Approach (IBA) developing and applying site specific bio-technological nutrients like Rhyzodium, Azotoeacter and Mycorrhizal fungi on the barren OB materials. The technique was successful as is evident from the development of green cover over the dead OB dumps of Durgapur, Padmapur and Umrer Areas of WCL The plant species have been carefully chosen to best suit the local conditions. Mostly native species are selected. Due to the

9 barren and rugged terrain across the coalfield areas, the saplings are initially grown and maintained for six months in nursery before planting at site. Root Trainer technology is used to ensure the survival and health of each plant. Species of Plants used in Afforestation : Timber yielding plants TEAK, SHIVAN, GAMHAR, SHISHOO, SIRAS, BAMBOO; Medicinal plants NEEM, KARANJ, BAHEDA, AMALA, ARJUN, SHIKAKAI Fruit-bearing Plants BER, JAMUN, AMRUD, VILAYATI IMLI, MAHUA. Other mixed native species GULMOHAR, CASSIA, SEMMIA, BABUL, GLEICIEIA, MAHAROOK, KARWAT. The success story of massive afforestation achieved by WCL has been corroborated by land reclamation monitoring done by CMPDIL through Satellite surveillance / Remote sensing technique from which it is proved that the green cover in and around the coal mines have registered an increasing trend. Thus, WCL has played a pivotal role in minimizing the air pollution and land degradation in and around its coal mining areas by tireless continuous efforts given in afforestation over and above the statutory requirements. In this connection, it is worthwhile to mention that after biological reclamation Ha of land in Durgapur OC Mine has been handed over to the State Forest Department by WCL, which clearly shows the leadership and commitment of WCL in increasing the forest / green cover in this region of Vidarbha. RAILWAY SIDING UMRER OCP

10 Monitoring of progress of land reclamation measures in coal mining area through Remote Sensing Techniques once in three years and every year for 10 major opencast mines (having excavation more than 5 Million Cum). Following 10 OC projects producing more than 5 million cubic m. (Coal + OB together) of WCL have been taken up for land reclamation monitoring on annual basis: Sasti Padmapur Durgapur Mugoli Umrer Ukni Niljai New Majri + Kawadi Pimpalgaon Ghugus Study reveals that 78.59% of mining area has already been reclaimed by WCL out of which 41.12% area has been revegitated and 37.47% area are backfilled. After analyzing the satellite data of year 2008, it is evident that plantation carried out on backfilled area, OB dumps as well as under social forestry in all the mines of WCL has increased from Sq. Km. to Sq. Km. in span of last three years. As an example for yearly Land Reclamation Monitoring for two specific cases viz. Sasti Opencast Mine and Mugoli Openacst mine are illustrated below :-

11 2009 study Salient Findings Out of the total mine leasehold area of Km2 of the 10 projects of WCL, Viz. Sasti, Padmapur, Durgapur, Mugoli, Umrer, Ukni, Niljai, New Majri, Pimpalgaon and Ghugus considered for monitoring during ; total mined out area is only Km2(54.53%) of which Km2 area (46.14%) has been planted,19.77 Km2 area (40.14%) has been backfilled and 6.76 Km2 area(13.72%) is under active mining. It is evident from the analysis that86.28% areas of the OC projects has already been reclaimed. On comparing the status of land reclamation for the year 2009 with respect to the year 2008 in different OC projects, analysis reveals that area of land reclamation has increased from Km2 (Yr.2008) to Km2 (Yr. 2009). Out of 10 projects of WCL, New Majri OC (93.58%) ranks on top for land reclamation followed by Sasti OC(92.89%) and Ghugus OC (91.54%). Area of plantation has increased from 17.18Km2 (Yr.2008) to22.73km2 (Yr.2009) in WCL. This increase of 5.55 Km2 in area of plantation in one year is the result of the efforts of the WCL taken up towards environmental protection.

12 Abatement of Air, Water pollution Dust Suppression : In Coalfields the air pollution is caused mainly due to dust. This aspect is our main concern. Due to mining activities Coal Dust and sand dust etc are generated by loading unloading operations, blasting and transportation of coal and Overburden(OB). Unlike other industries the dust emission is wide spread and not from a point source. For such problem water sprinkling is the only solution. The various steps are elaborated as under. o The dust is controlled at source by installation of fixed sprinklers at CHP and coal stockyard, roads etc. In all the major CHPs fixed sprinklers have been provided at the transfer points and Bunkers. Mist spraying system on conveyor belts & Bunkers have been introduced in CHPs. This has proved to be effective in Water Conservation, Effective reduction of dust due to mist formation besides increasing the longevity of the structure. o AS ON DATE, A TOTAL OF 1047 FIXED TYPE SPRINKLERS/ RAIN GUNS INSTALLED IN AND AROUND THE MINING AREAS OF WCL. FIXED SPRINKLER FOR DUST SUPPRESSION AT COAL HANDL PLANT, DURGAPUR OCP, CHANDRAPUR AREA o To control dust generated by dumpers & truck movements in OCPs, mobile sprinklers are deployed on the Coal transportation roads. Each project has been provided with adequate no. of mobile water sprinklers.

13 A BIRD s EYE VIEW OF CHP AT UMRER OCP o To avoid spillage of Coal from trucks on road All Coal transportation trucks going out of the Projects arecompulsorily covered by tarpaulins. Overloading of trucks are avoided through suitable agreement clauses in contract with transporters. Substantial road improvement works by way of better riding quality, strengthening and black-topping of coal transportation roads have been done. A total of 55 km length (approx) of road have been blacktopped. In addition to above, Projects have started implementing effective methods like dry sweeping of roads. This is proving very effective. o Plantation of trees in and around colony and around source.

14 AVENUE PLANTATION ALONG BLACK TOPPED ARTERIAL ROAD BEING USED FOR COAL TRANSPORTATION IN UKNI OCM PREMISES o Dust in drilling machines controlled by fitting Dust Extractors and /or Wet drilling system. o WCL has dispensed with Domestic Coal supply and in lieu LPG gas is provided to its employees, which controlled the pollution due to burning of domestic coal. MITIGATION OF WATER POLLUTION : Work Shop Effluent treatment Plants(WETPs): Production from opencast coal mines (OCPs) depends upon the Heavy Earth Moving Equipments. All major OCPs have a big Work Shop for proper maintenance of the HEMMs. In Work Shop washing ramp, due to washing and repairing of heavy earth moving machinery, oil and grease and TSS (Total Suspended Solids) are found in the effluent which are treated in Work Shop effluent treatment Plants (WETPs). There are 24 WETPs in opencast mines in operation presently in WCL along with one WETP in Central Workshop Tadali. These are provided with presedimentation tank, oil & grease trap, settling tank and clear water sump. The effluent water after treatment is pumped back to the washing ramp for re-use. The location-wise details are as under.

15 Sl.No Location of WETP Capacity 1 Mugoli OC 100 KL/Day 2 Sasti OC 150 KL/Day 3 Gouri I OC 100 KL/Day 4 Gouri II OC 100 KL/Day 5 Ballarpur OCP 100 KL/Day 6 H.Lalpet OC 150 KL/Day 7 Durgapur OC 150 KL/Day 8 Padmapur OC 150 KL/Day 9 Bhatadi OC 100 KL/Day 10 Nijai South OC 100 KL/Day 11 Niljai II OC 150 KL/Day 12 Ghugus OCP 100 KL/Day 13 Ukni OC 150 KL/Day 14 Kolar Pimpri OC 100 KL/Day 15 Pimpalgaon OC 100 KL/Day 16 Junad OC 100 KL/Day 17 New Majri OC 100 KL/Day 18 Chargaon OC 100 KL/Day 19 Telwasa OC 100 KL/Day 20 Umrer OC 150 KL/Day 21 Gondegaon OC 100 KL/Day 22 Pauni OC 100 KL/Day 23 Naigaon OC 100 KL/Day 24 Makardhokra II OC 100 KL/Day 25 Cental Workshop, 150 KL/Day Tadali The photograph of a working WETP is shown below :

16 Domestic Effluent Treatment Plants. The Domestic effluent from major residential colonies of WCL is treated in Domestic Effluent Treatment Plant (DETP) installed in townships at Silewara, Niljai, Sasti, Padmapur and Durgapur(combined), Bhalar, Telwasa & Dhorwasa (Combined) and Umrer. The treatment process includes activated sludge method or Extended Aerated Lagoon. System Details Sl. Area/Project Name of Project No. Capacity Year of Commissioning Combined Colony Sasti 1 Sasti OC OC &UG 1 MLD Durgapur OC Combined Colony POC &DOC 2.5 MLD 2002 Niljai Colony 3 Niljai OC 0.5 MLD 2000 Ukni (Bhalar town Combined Colony GM 4 ship) Unit,Ukni & Junad 0.6 MLD 2002 Combined Colony Umrer 5 Umrer OC & M.Dhokra 1 MLD Silewara UG Combined Colony Silewara Sub-Area & R.W.Shop 2 MLD 1991 Combined for Telwasa & 7 Telwasa OC Dhorwasa 0.40 MLD Mugoli OC Kailash Nagar Township 0.40 MLD 2007

17 Durgapur OCP Mine Discharge Treatment plants : Mine pumped-out water (mine discharge) is treated in settling/sedimentation tanks constructed in all mines to remove the suspended coal particles. Basically there are two stage sedimentation i.e. in the initial stage the mine sump provides primary sedimentation and the surface sedimentation tank/pond provides the secondary settlement. The treated mine water is used in dust suppression, fire fighting, watering of plantation, industrial effluent treatment plants, and, in supplying drinking/potable water to WCL colonies and adjacent local population. After ensuring maximum re-use within and around the mine premises, the excess mine pumped out water is discharged into local nallah/stream which is used by the local villagers for irrigation purpose. WCL has installed 25 nos. mine water treatment & purification plants in various mines/colonies particularly in water scarce areas, with a total capacity of MLD catering a population of 2,52,400 (approx). GROUND WATER RECHARGE In order to assess the impact of mining activities on ground water, quarterly monitoring of ground water levels are being carried out in and around the coal mines covering the Buffer zone in WCL. Further, the recharging of ground water is also taken up within mine premises as well as in nearby villages by rainwater harvesting, digging of ponds, desilting of existing tanks/ ponds etc. In WCL premises in the mining areas, 6 nos. of rainwater harvesting system have been established.

18 AFFORESTATION ON OB AND SLOPE AND WATER HARVESTING IN MINE PREMISES AT UKNI OCM KOLAR PIMPRI OC AFFORESTATION AND WATER HARVESTING IN MINE QUARRY

19 CONSERVATION OF WATER IN WCL BY MEANS OF SYSTEMATIC EFFORT TOWARDS EFFICIENT USE OF WATER Water is precious and fast becoming a scarce natural resource which is required to be conserved, augmented and harvested by applying suitable conventional as well as innovative techniques. Mining activities disturb groundwater aquifers. Underground mining disturbs deep aquifers whereas opencast mining disturbs both shallow and deep aquifers. In order to extract coal, large quantity of water accumulated at the pit bottom is required to be pumped out to the surface. WCL is committed to effect improvement in efficient use of water by adopting the following measures: Mine water accumulated in the mine pit is collected and temporarily stored in central/main sump of adequate capacity away from the active coal face and the excess water is pumped out to the surface. This ensures systematic optimal pumping thereby minimizing withdrawal of water and energy consumption. The mine pumped out water is primarily treated for settling of suspended coal particles in the mine pit sump and then in Settling Tank located on surface. The treated mine water is used in dust suppression, fire fighting, watering of plantation, industrial effluent treatment plants, and, in supplying drinking/potable water to WCL colonies and adjacent local population. After ensuring maximum re-use within and around the mine premises, the excess mine pumped out water is discharged into local nallah/stream which is used by the local villagers for irrigation purpose. The command area of WCL is highly scattered with 85 mines located in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Satellite townships have been established over a long period of time where the employees of the mines and offices have been accommodated. A total of 54 nos. of water treatment plants with total installed capacity of 84 MLD have been installed in these colonies to provide drinking water to the residents. The source of water for these treatment and purification plants is either river water or mine water or ground water. TREATMENT OF MINE WATER FOR SUPPLYING DRINKING WATER TO RESIDENTIAL COLONIES : Understanding the need for conserving the precious river water and/or groundwater, and in order to maximise the re-use of mine-pumped-out water, WCL has installed 25 nos. mine water treatment & purification plants in various mines/colonies particularly in water scarce areas, with a total capacity of MLD catering a population of 2,52,400 (approx).

20 COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF MINE WATER TREATMENT & PURIFICATION : Cost of installation of treatment units viz. filtration and disinfection; Cost of providing & laying pipelines from mines to treatment plant and from treatment plant to residential houses; Most gainful utilization of the mine-pumped out water which at any cost is to be pumped out to extract coal and would otherwise have been drained out to nallas. WCL has to provide treated and disinfected water to its employees and in some cases to the peripheral population in water scarce areas. River water as source would be costlier as it would require construction of intake well in river, long pipelines. Also supply of river water would be irregular particularly in summer as has been experienced elsewhere in WCL. Mine water is an assured source of water. The management is not dependent on outside supply. In view of the above, the benefit of mine water treatment plant outweighs its cost. Treatment of mine-pumped-out-water for supplying it as drinking water has been evolved by WCL as a comprehensive scheme over a long period of time in tandem with the development of its satellite townships thereby ensuring: o o o SYSTEMATIC & EFFICIENT USE OF WATER AS A PRECIOUS AND SCARCE NATURAL RESOURCE; CONSERVATION OF RIVER WATER / GROUNDWATER; OPTIMUM RECYCLE AND RE-USE OF WATER. During last three years, one no. mine water treatment plant of capacity 1.00 MLD has been constructed and commissioned at Saoner of Nagpur Area. Further, one no. mine water treatment plant of capacity 1.50 MLD is under construction at Ambara of Kanhan Area.

21 Mine Water Treatment Plant at Pipla UG Mine, Nagpur Area The re-cycling and re-use of mine-pumped-out water to the maximum extent possible for activities as stated above, is aimed at conservation of river water and/or groundwater. The excess mine water, which is discharged outside is also used by the local inhabitants for irrigation and domestic use. Thus, it can be stated that the quantity of water pumped out from the mines is gainfully utilized thro recycling and re-use to the full extent possible. The quality of mine water is continuously monitored, tested as per norms and treated before reuse and before discharging to local population. The monitoring reports are submitted to the statutory authorities on regular intervals. DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE : Hazardous Waste generated in Workshop effluent Treatment Plants in the form of ETP sludge is collected and disposed at the Common Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage & Disposal Facility (CHWTSDF) at Butibori, authorized by State Pollution Control Board as per Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules. DISPOSAL OF BIO-MEDICAL WASTE : WCL has established a no. of Hospitals & Dispensaries in its command area for the welfare and healthcare of its employees. As per the Bio-

22 medical waste (Management & Handling) Rules, the bio-medical waste from these hospitals are collected, treated and disposed suitably thro Bio-medical waste operator authorized by State PCB in compliance with the norms. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING : Regular Periodical monitoring of Environmental parameters as per Environment (Protection) Amendment Rule 2000 in and around all operating mines being carried out as under Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations -269 nos. Water Quality Monitoring Stations 168 nos. Noise Monitoring Stations nos. Monitoring of Ground water table at 750 monitoring stations around the active coal mining areas of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Monitoring of Land Use thro satellite (Remote sensing) monitoring. Expenditure incurred for Environmental Mitigation projects. a) Capital works (Fig. in Rs. Lakhs) Year Actual Expenditure b) Revenue works (excluding plantation) (Fig. in Rs. Lakhs) Year Actual Expenditure

23 c) Revenue works (only plantation) (Fig. in Rs. Lakhs) Year Actual Expenditure ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WCL is committed for protection of environment in its mining areas. To maintain statutory requirements as well as social responsibilities WCL has achieved ISO certificate for 13 mines and planned for 5 mines. STATUTORY COMPLIANCES Environmental Clearance WCL obtains environmental clearance for all mines including enhancement in production in identified existing mines as per EIA Notification As on , there are 121 Environmental Clearances received from MOEF. Consent to Establish WCL obtains consent to establish from State Pollution Control Boards for all new mines before starting mining operations of the project and also for mines proposed for expansion in production capacity. Consent to Operate Consent to operate is obtained from State Pollution Control Boards for all new mines in addition to existing mines where there is a enhancement in production and/or lease area as per EIA Notification 2006 and also renews the same before expiry of the consent to operate. Environmental Monitoring Environmental Monitoring for all the working projects is carried out as per the Environment (Protection) Amendment Rules, 2000 (Extraordinary Notification in the Gazette of India on 25 th September, 2000 Standard for

24 Coal Mines) through MOEF approved agency CMPDIL (A sister Concern & subsidiary of Coal India Ltd). Environmental monitoring reports are being submitted to MOEF and State Pollution Control Boards in compliance of EC and consent conditions. Environmental Statement Environmental statement for all working mines is submitted to the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) every year within the stipulated time i.e. before 30 th September. Progressive Mine Closure Plan Progressive Mine Closure plan is an integral part of the Project Report as well as EIA/EMP. The Project Report as well as EIA/EMP contains detailed Post Mining Land Use plan. The cost of land reclamation in line with Post Mining Land use plan is in built in the project cost. In addition under the head closure cost a provision of Rs per tonne to Rs per tonne is provided in the PR. Research & Technological initiatives Technical Studies on Environmental Issues A. Title: Study of Quantum of Particulate due to Coal Mines & allied activities & its effect on Plants. Agency: National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur. B. Title : Pilot Health Survey in selected villages of Chandrapur Dist. adjoining WCL Coal Mines. Agency: Govt. Medical College, Nagpur & Bhartiya Adim Jati Sewak Sangh, Nagpur. C. Title: Assessment of assimilative Capacity & Source Apportionment Analysis of Air Pollutants in Ambient Air in Wardha Valley Coalfields. Agency: Kavi Kulguru Institute of Technology & Science, (KITS) Ramtek. D. Title: Effect of Mining on Ground Water (Modeling & Control of water system in Coal Mining Environment) Agency: Central Mine Planning & Design Institute, Ranchi & UNDTCD of United Nation. E. Title: Study on Dust Generation and its Dispersion due to Blasting in Five Mines of WCL.

25 Agency: Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad F. Title: Assessment of Blast Induced Vibration on surface structures at different places of Chandrapur Township due to Blasting in Mines of Chandrapur Area. Agency: Central Mine Planning & Design Institute, Nagpur. G. Title : Technical Study for old and active dumps of OC mines in WCL To determine stability characteristics and dimensional parameters. Agency : Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur The Coal India and Its subsidiary companies are observing the Year as the year of Environmental Management to draw and implement a clear road map for achieving environmental excellence in all the corners of its area of operations. The gigantic efforts made by WCL towards achieving eco-friendly mining have been recognized by the apex statutory body at national level (Ministry of Environment & Forests) and at State Level (State Pollution Control Board). As a result, WCL has obtained Environmental Clearances from Ministry of Environment & Forests and Consent to Operate from State Pollution Control Boards for its operating mines. In spite of obtaining environmental clearance and Consent to Operate, WCL has not relaxed and continued efforts are being made to comply with the statutory requirements by way of regular monitoring of major environmental parameters and taking remedial measures as and where required. Further efforts are being made towards innovative approaches and technologies for betterment of the present system. ********************