EXECUTIVE summary. Khasra No. Area Ownership/Occupancy Hects. Govt. Land

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1 EXECUTIVE summary 11.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION has been granted Mining lease over an extent of 8.09 Ha in village Tihai, District Satna, Madhya Pradesh for a period of 20 years with effect from to The lessee proposes to produce 5000 TPA of Limestone and Laterite from this mine. Geographically the ML area falls under following co-ordinates: Latitude : N to Longitude : E to Details of the area Khasra No. Area Ownership/Occupancy Hects. Govt. Land Total 8.09 Hects. Accessibility Road The ML area is accessible from Satna via Kotar. Rail The nearest rail head is at Satna at a distance of about 24 kms from the lease area. Topography & Drainage The lease area is hilly having gentle slope towards west. The highest elevation is 365m RL towards east and the lowest elevation is about 290 m RL towards north-west. There is no river, nalla or other surface water source within ML area. In monsoon season, the surface run-off from the mine lease area flows along the slope of the hill and joins the season water streams outside the mine lease area. The study area is undulating with hillocks in the north, south and eastern part. The drainage of the study area is mainly carried out by Simrawal Nadi flowing in the southern part of the study area along with its tributaries. The nearest surface water sources is Guwari River at 4.0 kms north east. Salient Features of Mining: Mining is proposed by opencast method. Total Geological Reserves: = m 3. Maximum rate of production will be around 5,000 TPA. Anticipated life of mine is 20 years. Drilling has been proposed with jack hammer of hole dia 32 mm Blasting will be done using ED, OD, Power gel (25mm.) and Safety fuse explosives. Dumpers will be used for loading and dumping of waste material and ore. Quantum of waste is expected to be around 1000 TPA. The total man power will be around 25. Page 1

2 Total water requirement for the project is about 5m 3 /day. Water will be sourced from mine sump and bore well in the mine lease area DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT WIND ROSE PLOT: TIHAI LIMESTONE MINE PRE-MONSOON 2011 (MARCH MAY 2011) DISPLAY: Wind Speed Direction (blowing from) NORTH 20% 16% 12% 8% 4% WEST EAST WIND SPEED (m/s) SOUTH >= Calms: 39.06% COMMENTS: DATA PERIOD: 2011 Mar 1 - May 31 00:00-23:00 CALM WINDS: 39.06% TOTAL COUNT: 722 hrs. AVG. WIND SPEED: PROJECT NO.: 0.84 m/s WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software Page 2

3 Meteorology (Pre monsoon ) Parameters Data Maximum temperature ( C) 44.6 Minimum temperature ( C) 16.0 Maximum Relative Humidity (%) 91.0 Minimum Relative Humidity (%) 3.0 Total Rainfall (mm) Nil Predominant wind direction North West Ambient Air Quality Pre-calibrated R.D. Samplers have been used for monitoring the existing AAQ status. The summary of Ambient Air Quality test results are given below. Table: Summary of Ambient Air Quality results Units: µg/m 3 Location PM 10 SO 2 NO X CO Mine Lease Area <1.0 Mine Lease Area <1.0 Tihai <1.0 Umariha <1.0 Aber <1.0 Farhad <1.0 Madhaopur <1.0 Bamhauri < Ambient Noise Level A preliminary survey was undertaken at 6 locations i.e. 1 location in mine lease area and 5 locations in buffer zone during study period, to identify the major noise generating sources in the area. Summary of noise level data of different locations are given below. Table: Noise Levels during Study Period [Units: db (A)] N1 N2 N3 N4 N5 N6 N7 N8 Min Max L d L n It was noted that the noise values obtained were within the prescribed Ambient Air Quality Standards with respect to Noise Traffic Density The traffic density on the Kotar- Birsinghpur road on a working day was 154 vehicles. Page 3

4 Water Environment Surface Water : There is no river, nalla or any surface water source within ML area. The existing seasonal nallahs of the study area only help to drain out rainwater during monsoons. Ground Water : The lease area essentially comprises of Limestone at shallow depth and sand stone comparatively at lower depth. The groundwater table in the lease area varies from 22m to 25m BGL during post-monsoon, whereas it ranges between 15m to 20m BGL during pre-monsoon. In the study area, general water table varies between 20m to 25m BGL. In the study area, general water table varies between 10m to 35m BGL. Ground water potential of the study area ranges between 1 to 5 Lit/s. Water Quality One surface water and three ground water samples were collected and tested to know the water quality of the study area. Summary of the water quality results are given below: Table: Summary of water quality in the study area S. No. Parameter Surface Water Ground Water Desirable limits as per IS: ph Total Dissolved Solids Total Hardness as CaCO Chloride as Cl Flouride as F Turbidity Land Use The entire lease area 8.09 Ha is a Government waste land. Land use of the mine lease area and study area are given in following tables: Table: Present Land Use Pattern Area in Ha S NO TYPE OF ACTIVITY PRESENT 1 Area of excavation Mineral storage -- 3 Roads Green belt -- 5 Others (site services) -- 6 Un-Utilized Area 7.44 Total Soil Quality Soil samples were collected from three locations from the core and buffer zone to evaluate the soil quality in the study area. All the samples are showing moderately fertile nature. Page 4

5 Biological Environment Flora: The observed flora of the study area is typically Dry Deciduous type. Saja, Dhao, Salai, Tendu and Khair are the common trees present in the study area. Fauna : Faunal population did not show any special feature. Concentration of animals is sparse. Avi-faunal population was also not rich in the forest areas. There is no Schedule I animal in the ML area. However Monkey and Langur are the schedule I species as per Wild Life Protection Act 1972 present within the study area. Several types of avi-fauna are found in the forests on the hill slopes, including egret, pigeon, dove, cuckoo, koel, owl, woodpecker, sparrow, myna, etc. Aquatic species like Carp, Rohu, Katla, Kalbasu, etc. were observed in the surface water ponds and perennial streams Socio-economic Environment The socio-economic status (Based on Census 2001) of the villages within the study area is given in table below : Table : SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETAILS WITHIN THE STUDY AREA (10 Km Radius) Communication Facilities Bus 15 Railway 0 Power Supply Available for all purpose in all villages Medical Facilities* Maternity & Child Welfare Center 0 Family Welfare Center 0 Public Health Sub Center 10 RMP 0 S.No Description Numbers Demographic Details 1 Total Villages 78 2 Total no. of House Hold Total Population Total SC Population Total ST Population 4423 Literacy Level 1 Total Literate Population Employment Pattern 1 Total Working Population Total Non-Workers Total Marginal Workers 6300 Amenities (Infrastructure Facilities*) Water facilities Tap 3 River 24 Well 78 Canal 2 Tank 18 Lake 0 Tube Well 39 Spring 0 Hand Pump 76 Others 0 P & T Facilities Post Office 18 Post & Telegraph Office 0 Telegraph Office 0 Telephone Connection 20 Education Facilities Primary School 53 Sr. Secondary School 1 Middle School 18 College 0 Source: (As per 2001 Census) Page 5

6 11.3 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Ambient Air Quality Anticipated Impacts on Ambient Air Quality From the proposed mining activity removal, handling, transportation of ore and storage of wastes will cause an additional increase in the concentration of SPM in the atmosphere. Marginal emissions of Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) can be anticipated by diesel operated equipments and vehicles plying on haul roads. Air Pollution Control Measures: S.No. Dust Source Control measure 1 Haul Road Regular water spraying. 2 Truck Movement 3 Waste dumps 4. Mine workings Ambient Noise Level Impact on Noise Level No overloading of trucks. Enforcing speed limit. Regular monitoring of the vehicle exhaust Proper maintenance of trucks The dumps will be adequately sloped,compacted and vegetated Regular water spraying in working areas. Green belt surrounding ML Wet drilling Simultaneous backfilling of worked out portions and plantation over the backfilled surface after 5 years. The anticipated noise level at ML boundary from nearest pit boundary will be less than 55 db (A), which is less than the prescribed limits for industrial area. The nearest habitat of Tihai village is at about 1.0 kms distance from the ML area, where the existing noise level in day hours is 54.7dB(A). With the use of above mentioned formula, there may be marginal increase in the base line noise level at the Tihai village. Control Measure of Noise Pollution Noise levels will be kept within acceptable limits by: Reducing the drilling & blasting operations as far as possible Restriction of blast hole drilling to only day time hours and usage of sharp drilling bits and delivery of compressed air at optimal pressure during drilling. Controlled and muffle blasting techniques to reduce noise level and generation of ground vibrations. Use of low density explosives to have a heaving effect than an explosion Provision of earmuffs to workers working in high noise prone areas. Proper gradient of haul roads to reduce cumulative noise levels Water Environment Impact on Water Environment Total water requirement is 5 m 3 /day There is no process wastewater generation from the mine; hence contamination of surface and ground water quality is not possible. Domestic effluent from the mine will be discharged in septic tank/soak pit. Page 6

7 Mine workings will intersect ground water table. Water pollution control Measures Garland drains provided along the mine lease boundary will be diverted to steeling ponds and the surface run-off from the mine lease area will be accumulated there for settling. This accumulated water will be used in the mine for dust suppression and plantation. At the foot of the waste dumps, stone rubble walls (parapet walls) arrestors and short trenches will be provided to check the wash off. Run-off from the mining area will be passed through a check dams with filter beds to allow settling of solid particles. For this purpose 1 check dam and 2 gully plugs is erected within the ML area, in the existing natural drains. Gully plugs are provided to reduce the silt load on the check dams. These check dams also assist in the recharge of ground water system. The check dams and the settling tank are being periodically de-silted before the onset of monsoon. Water Conservation Plan 3.0 Ha of the excavated portion of the mine pit will be converted into water reservoir. The rain water accumulating in this area will be used for dust suppression and green belt development, thus conserving the water requirement for mine use, so as not to depend upon other natural resources. The sump water will also be available for irrigation purposes of the surrounding area Land Environment Impact on Land Use Topography and land scenario changes due to digging of open pits and dumping of overburden rock mass in the form of the heaps. The drainage pattern on the surface undergoes a change due to the alterations in the surface topography due to mining and associated activities. The land-use pattern undergoes a change due to the use of the land for mining, dumping, and other mining and associated activities. The land-use in the surrounding areas may get affected due to the impacts of mining on soil quality & water regime. Control Measures for land degradation Back-filling of the excavated pit is proposed from 6th year of mining. Till the end of conceptual period, a total of 4. 0 Ha area of the worked out portion of the pit shall be backfilled, top soiled and afforested. Thus about 60% of the worked out portion shall be reclaimed by back filling. The balance portion shall be converted into water reservoir, to store the rain water. As indicated in the conceptual mine plan, 3.0 Ha of the mined out pit will be converted into water reservoir. The water reservoirs will be provided with proper approach / access and also fencing protection against accidental fall from the top and also for animal life conservation. The water bodies created will also be developed as sites for pisiculture as a source of livelihood for the local people. The reclaimed land will be densely afforested (approx 2000 sapling per Ha.) with variety of plant species that are chosen from the background environment. That would help faster merger of the disturbed area with the virgin background and also will support faster rehabilitation and resettlement of the native people and the fauna of the region. Page 7

8 The proposed rehabilitation plan shall ensure the bio-diversity of the reclaimed land will have more diverse flora than the virgin land Biological Environment Impact on Flora & Fauna The lease area is mostly covered with hard stone and there is no thick tree growth in the mineralized area. The tree species planted within the core zone represent the common type of flora species along with small shrubs and bushes. Trees and bushes will be cut from area required for different mining activities. Control Measures for Biological Environment During the plan period an area of 2.70 Ha land has been proposed for phased green belt plantation/afforestation Ha land will be afforested at the end of mine. The main aim of the plantation of the mined out areas is to stabilize the area to protect it from rain, wind erosion, improve the aesthetics and support the re-creation of bio-diversity Socio-Economy Impact on Socio-Economy Since there is no village or human settlement within the core zone, therefore there would be no displacement of the human population. The mining operations will substantially increase gross economic production and infrastructure facilities. Therefore, Socio economic prospects are likely to improve to some extent. Also proposed mining operations will result in some increase in direct and indirect employment and consequently the standard of living in near by villages. Socio-Economic Development Measures The lessee will carry out socio-economic improvement measures within the study area under their social moral responsibility. It will contribute in many of the community development initiatives such as repairing of common building structures like temple, school, Panchayat ghar, etc ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME Monitoring of ambient air quality, ambient noise levels, surface and ground water quality, soil quality, plantation and green belt in the mine lease area, etc. will be carried out as per the applicable guidelines and the reports will be submitted to the corresponding regulating authorities. An Environment Management Cell will be formed for implementation of the monitoring programme and the environmental management plan ADDITIONAL STUDIES Risk Assessment The mining industry is subjected to various risks like inundation, surface fire, explosion, pit slope and dump slope failure, dust from drilling and other operations, noise, accidents during loading of material, accidents due to heavy vehicles, etc. A proper risk assessment has been carried out and a suitable Disaster Management Plan is put in place to avoid any kind of accident / disaster. Page 8

9 Social Impact Assessment & R & R Action Plans The proposed production will bring about socio-economic improvement in the nearby villages by way of direct and indirect employment opportunities, provision of medical and recreational facilities, communication facilities, etc. The workmen and staff come from the villages/towns outside the leasehold. The impact of mining activities on the nearby villages is negligible PROJECT BENEFITS The people residing in the nearby villages will get following benefits Direct and indirect employment opportunities Improved communication and infrastructure facilities Medical and recreational facilities to the employees The state Govt. will receive additional revenue through royalty, sales tax, cess etc. Truck transporters nearby the mine lease area will be benefited due to regular demand of about 2 to 4 trips per day ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Air Quality Management Blasting will be carried out in favourable weather condition The working faces will be regularly wetted before carrying out the blasting and excavation. Dust masks will be provided to the workers especially for the drillers and for the workers working in the loading operations. Periodic health check up for the workers shall be done Plantation of wide leaf trees and tall grass along approach roads and on safety barrier zones surrounding the ML area. Water tankers with spraying arrangement will be used for regular water sprinkling on the haul roads to ensure effective dust suppression Noise Pollution Control Reducing the drilling & blasting operations as far as possible Restriction of blast hole drilling to only daytime hours and usage of sharp drilling bits and delivery of compressed air at optimal pressure during drilling. Controlled blasting techniques to reduce noise level and generation of ground vibrations. Use of low density explosives to have a heaving effect than an explosion Provision of earmuffs to workers as a measure to protect their ears. Proper gradient of haul roads to reduce cumulative noise levels Water Pollution Control Measures At the foot of the waste dumps, stone rubble walls (parapet walls) arrestors and short trenches will be provided to check the wash off. Run-off from the mining area will be passed through a check dams with filter beds to allow settling of solid particles. Gully plugs are provided to reduce the silt load on the check dams. These check dams also assist in the recharge of ground water system. Page 9

10 The check dams and the settling tank are being periodically de-silted before the onset of monsoon Protection Measures for Biological Environment During the mine life, an area of 4.95 Ha land has been proposed for phased green belt plantation/afforestation and 3.0 Ha of the mined out area will be converted into surface water reservoir. The main aim of the plantation of the mined out areas is to stabilize the area to protect it from rain, wind erosion, improve the aesthetics and support the recreation of bio-diversity Socio-Economic Benefits The lessee will provide social welfare activities in and around the lease area. The social welfare activities are planned in the following areas:- Medical assistance Primary Education Agriculture improvement Vocational Training and Assistance in utilizing government programs Budget for Environmental Protection A budgetary provision has been made for implementation of all the environmental protection measures in a time bound manner. A provision of Rs Lakh as capital expenditure and Rs Lakh as recurring expenses per annum for implementation of the Environmental Management Plan has been made CONCLUSION Based on the EIA study it is observed that there will be an increase in the dust pollution, which will be controlled by sprinkling of water and plantation. There will be an insignificant impact on ambient environment and ecology due to the mining activities moreover the mining operation will lead to direct and indirect employment generation in the area. Monitoring program will be followed till the mining operations continue. A recurring budget for environmental protection have been formulated to achieve the environmental quality as desired. Hence, it can be summarized that the development of the mine will have a positive impact on the socio-economic of the area and lead to sustainable development of the region. Page 10