EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. INTRODUCTION : M/s Jayaswal Neco Industries Limited (JNIL) belongs to the wellknown industrial group of Central India viz. NECO GROUP having annual turnover exceeding Rs. 3500 Crores. The GROUP operates from Corporate Office at Nagpur with operations spread in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The NECO GROUP is primarily engaged in Iron & Steel Industry since 1972 and is recognized as a MASTER CASTER in Indian Ferrous Industries. It consists of several well-established companies in various diversified fields like Steel making through Integrated Steel Plant, Mining, Highway Construction on BOT Basis, Iron & Steel Casting, and Ceramics etc. The group manufactures and exports a wide spectrum of core sector products to fulfill the need of Automotive Industries, Petrochemical Industries, Construction Industries, Iron & Steel Industries, Railways etc. The company had been granted the mining lease over an area of 192.25 Hectare Iron ore mine located at Village Chhotedongar, Tehsil and District Narayanpur. The lease is valid for a period of 30 years ending on June 2035. As per the amended MMDR Act 2015, the validity of the lease is to be extended for a period of 50 Years and or the same the process had been initiated with the State Government. Mining Plan for 192.25 ha area was approved by IBM vide letter no BST/ Fe/ MPLN- 738/ NGP dated 02.04.2001 for a production of 71,820 Tons / Annum with graded ore production 50,274 Tons / Annum. This initial mine plan was approved based on the limited data available with us during those time, as the area was highly LWE infested it was not possible for us or the government to carry out the detailed exploration during those period. Even though the mining lease was granted for an area of 192.25 hectares, the forest clearance had been for a part area of 35.74 hectares, with a condition that for the balance area the forest clearance would be granted in phases, so as to ensure that the damage to the forest is minimized. The mine is an operational mine, however the operation could not be continued on a smooth and regular basis due to the fact that the area is dominated by LWE and during the last couple of years the company had to face severe obstruction by way of damaging of mining property as well as arson and loot in the mining area by the LWE Insurgents.
Based on the support of the State Government JNIL could access the mining area and could redo the exploration of the area on which the forest clearance and the working permission had been obtained. From the further exploration it was established that the available iron ore deposits were to the tune of 36.81 MT. Keeping in view the same and the requirement of the end use plant it was decided to get a mine plan of 2.50 MTPA production capacity prepared and approved by the Indian Bureau of Mines "IBM", Government of India. Since the area falls under Reserve Forest, MOEFCC, Government of India granted inprinciple approval for diversion of 91 Hectare of forest land in 1 st phase for iron ore mining vide letter no 8-31/99-FC date 11.08.2004. Out of 91.0 ha, MOEFCC, granted final diversion of 35.74 ha forest land (27.65 ha for mining and other purposes over ore body-i and 8.09 ha approach road) for the 1 st five years for iron ore mining vide letter no 8-31/99- FC dated 18.01.2007. Environment Clearance was obtained from MOEF, Government of India vide Letter no J- 21013/152/2005- IA II (M) dated 05.02.2007 for production 0.05 MTPA. Necessary working permission has been obtained before commencement of mining operation. Since last 20 years LWE insurgency had gained prominence and due to the same no developmental activities could be done by the State Government, hence the mining activity also could not be continued smoothly during the first mining scheme period 2006-2010. Similarly the 2nd mining scheme was submitted covering the period 2010-11 to 2014-15; however smooth mining activity could not be done during this period also as per the plan due to severe LWE insurgency. However now the LWE insurgency are being strictly monitored by the State Government and there are fair probability that the mining operation in the entire Bastar region will commence again and will be continued smoothly. In view of the same and keeping in view the requirement of the established end use plant, it had been decided to enhance the capacity of the mining operation from the present 0.05 MTPA to 2.50 MTPA. As per MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 the mining lease period is extended for the period of 50 years from the date of execution of lease deed, hence mining lease period of this mine is supposed to expire on 20.06.2055.
B. DETALS OF THE MINES AND THE PROPOSED ACTIVITY. a. Location Details The Mining Lease area of Chhotedongar Iron Ore Mine over an area of 192.25 ha belonging to M/S Jayaswal Neco Industries Ltd is located near village Chhotedongar of Forest Range Chhotedongar, Forest Division Narayanpur, Forest Circle Kanker, Tehsil Narayanpur, District Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh. The lease area falls under Survey of India Toposheet No 65 E/7 and is bounded by Lattitudes 19 0 26' 3.401" N to19 0 26 9.044 N and Longitudes 81 0 17 25.404 E to 81 0 17' 34.507 E. The area falls under the South Bastar region of Chhattisgarh and is severely infected with LWE insurgencies. The area could not see any light of development save and except the formation of a separate District. b. Approachability- The village Chhotedongar is situated at a distance of about 43 kms from Narayanpur the District Head Quarter. Narayanpur is around 210 Kms from the State Capital Raipur. The deposit is located about 300 km. from Siltara, where the Steel Plant of the applicant's company is situated. The nearest railhead for the area is Gudam / Dalli-Rajhara which is at a distance of about 160 Km form the mine. The proposed Dalli-Rajhara-Rowghat railway line in future would pass near to the mine. c. Physiography & Drainage: Regionally the area forms a part of the hilly terrain which extends from the Bailadila hill range in the south to Rowghat hill range in the north and from Baster plateau in the east to Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra in the west. Within this hilly terrain there are distinct hill ranges most prominent being the Bailadila hill range towards South and Rowghat hill range in the North. Within these two hill ranges there are number of smaller hill ranges having more or less N-S alignment on a regional basis. Chhotedongar hill range is lying more or less in the center of this N-S hilly region.
The ML area is located on Chhotedongar hill range which is one such N-S aligned hill range located aerially about 3 Km west of village Chhotedongar rising from the ground level of about 450 MRL contour level to more than 939 MRL contour level. Locally the ML area forms a part of the hill range comprising of two parallel ridges trending broadly NNW SSE and located south of Madin river about 3 Km west and WSW of village Chhotedongar. The two parallel ridges close in the fashion of a greek letter omega (Ω). The head of this omega points towards NNW with one portion stretched as a broad arrow head originating from triangulation point 939 and pointing towards north. The ML area itself includes the arcuate portion of the head of this omega and comprises of five distinct ridges arranged serially in an arcuate fashion, each separated from each other by a saddle. The eastern most ridge is located about 3 Km WSW of Chhotedongar village between the peaks 907 MRL and 939 MRL shown in toposheet (Ref Plate 1B). It is followed in the NW direction by the hill marked as 939 MRL. The trend of the ridge changes to WSW after this hill, where after the third ridge trending WSW arises after a deep saddle. This is followed by a knee bend trend and the 4th ridge continues in the NNW - SSE trend. The first, third and fourth ridges have not been marked by any height point in the toposheet. The fifth and last ridge continues in the NNE - SSW trend and is marked by survey of India triangulation point 850. The ML area covers only the upper half portion of these ridges from about 700 MRL to their top. The portion between 700 MRL and ground level at 450 MRL is not covered by the mining lease area. The ML area is located at the top of the hill range coming down to middle contours of the hill. The topography of the hill range is controlled by the presence of BHQ in its spine and its alignment governed by the strike of BHQ. It forms very prominent cliffs. One such cliff is seen on the NE side of the ridge which extends towards SE from triangulation point 939. Another more prominent and spectacular cliff is seen on the SW flank of the said ridge. There is no important river or stream passing through the ML area. However, the area is drained by a system of seasonal nallas originating from the northern and southern slopes of the hill in a radial pattern. Beyond eastern lease boundary one perinial source of water locally named as Kadam nalla is originating from east side of the hill and flowing towards north and ultimately joins with river Madin located about 3 Km north of ML area. River Madin is a tributary of Gurda River which ultimately joins with River Indravati further towards north. The general drainage pattern of this region is observed to be dendritic.
d. Details of Mine Area: Village District/ Tehsil State Forest Circle Forest Division Forest Range Chhotedongar Narayanpur Chhattisgarh Kanker Narayanpur Chhotedongar Reserve Forest Topo sheet no 65 E/7. Ref Plate 1B. Total Mining Lease area 192.25 Hectares Lease Period 30 years from 21.06.2005 to 20.06.2035 extendable to 50 years upto 20-06-2055 as per Amended MMDR Act 2015. Status of mine Mining Plan for production of 50,000 Tons/ Annum was approved by IBM vide its letter dated 02-04-2001. The mine is in operation to a smaller extend. Status of Environment Clearance (MOEFCC) Status of Forest Clearance Other Important condition of MOEF(FC) Date of opening and commencement of mine IBM Registration no Letter no J-21013/ 152/ 2005- IA II (M) dated 05.02.2007 for production of iron ore @ 50,000 tons per annum For the 1st Phase the final forest is available for 35.74 Hectares. The same had been granted vide letter No 8-31-99-FC dated 18th January 2007. Balance area will be permitted to be mined in-phased manner and clearance will be granted accordingly. 11.02.2016 IBM/4800/2011 Mine Code 30CHG01001
e. Geological formations & Ore Reserves: Mineral Reserves and Resources available Category of Reserve/ Resource UNFC Code Quantity (Tonnes) in Grade (%) Probable mineral Reserve 122 5,06,250 55-63 Inferred mineral resource 333 3,57,63,497 55-63 Prefeasibility (Blocked) mineral resource 222 5,47,968 55-63 Total Reserves + Resources -- 3,68,17,715 55-63 f. Mining Method: Considering the scale of operation, geological setting and the nature of deposit, it is proposed to adopt manual to fully mechanized method of opencast mining. Fixed as well as movable crusher will be installed for sorting, sized by way of crushing and screening unit and transported to the Steel Plant at Siltara Raipur by tippers/ trucks through manual / mechanized loading. Since DelliRajhara is a Private Railway siding of SAIL-BSP, the same will not be available for us to load the material by Rail, however JNIL will explore all the probabilities to transport the material (Iron ore) through Rail in future. g. Waste Generation and Management: There will not be any generation of overburden or side burden during current Review of Mining Plan period (2015-16 to 2019-20). If some OB waste is encountered during mining and development, same will be dumped over earmarked waste dump site. The place for dumping waste has been selected towards south of working pit over ore zone within permitted land of 27.65 ha because of non-availability of dumping site over non
mineralized area and rugged morphological terrain with steep slope. However, during processing of ROM substantial quantity of sub grade ore to the tune of 21,330 tonnes i.e. 7,110 cum will be generated during the tenure of proposal period. Same will be dumped over earmarked sub grade ore stack site covering 0.500 ha area within permitted land of 27.65 ha. The place for dumping sub grade ore has been selected over non mineralized area towards western boundary of permitted land of 27.65 ha. The selected waste dump will be purely temporary and to be shifted towards north-central part of the lease area selected for proposed waste dump during conceptual period. Total height of the sub grade dump will be about 2.0 mtr which will be developed in one stage. Since height of sub grade ore stack will be only 2.0 mtr, its slope is maintained by angle of repose, hence attempts for its stabilization does not require. The construction of the settling tank & garland drain around the dump will be done after its formation. Plantation of grass type species along the waste and sub grade dump slopes will be done for further control of erosion. Garland drains will be provided around the dumps to arrest rain wash. h. Anticipated Life of Mine: The estimated reserves in the 35.74 hectares present available area is 36.26 MT. On a production planning of 2.5 MTPA sized and screened ore production, around 3.00 MTPA ROM will be produced. The life of the exiting 35.74 hectare will last for almost 12 Years. After the completion of this phase, the balance area will be sought for Forest Clearance as per the condition laid down by MOEF (FC) and the mining activity will be continued in that region or the balance period till 2055.
i. Development of the Region and Employment Potential:- Approximately 800-1000 personals will get direct / Indirect employment on start of the mining operation. The area is critically infected with LWE insurgencies, and no development work is possible in the region. If the mining starts and is continued the entire region will see a lot of infrastructural development, which this will ultimately help the state to overcome the menace of naxalaism to a very large extent. j. Revenue Generation and benefits to the State Government :- On production of 2.5 MTPA of sixed ore and dispatch the State Government will generate a revenue of around ` 90 Crores per annum by way of royalty and contribution to DM Fund. with this fund also the area development could be prioritized by the State Government. k. Benefits to the company :- The company had already installed the facility for production of 1.20 MTPA of finished Steel along with 1.20 MTPA pallets and 0.275 MTPA of Sponge Iron as well as 0.650 MTPA capacity blast furnace. On start of the mining operation and production of ore to the tune of 2.50 MTPA, a large portion of Iron ore requirement of the Steel Plant Division situated at Raipur will be met through the captive source. The company will have a continuous supply of graded ore at a production cost which will be comparatively less than the market price and through this it will always attain a long term sustainability and better growth prospective.
Total requièrent of Iron ore of the company Particulars Iron Ore Quantity in MTPA (FE above 55%-65%) Blast Furnace (Including Sinter) 1.17 Sponge iron / DRI (Raipur / Bilaspur) 1.04 Pellet 1.38 Sinter (exclusive) 1.00 Total Requirement 4.59 C. PROJECT COST The total cost of the Project for enhancement of the production capacity from the present 0.05 MTPA to 2.50 MTPA will be around ` 10.00 Crores. The reason being already NPV and other cost associated with Forest Clearance had been deposited on the 35.74 hectare land where the mining operation is being continued and further proposed to be enhanced. The basic infrastructure preparation along with facilities like loading, weighing etc. needs to be done for the enhanced production of 2.50 MTPA. The entire facility of transportation will be outsourced to private transport contracts who will be entrusted with the transportation work with strict monitoring conditions. The entire excavation will be done mechanized and most of the services will be outsourced. D. ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN Air Pollution Management : b) Haulage roads will be frequently sprinkled with water for which truck mounted water tankers with sprinkler arrangement have been provided. c) Ore will be covered by tarpaulins to prevent spread of dust from it during transportation.
d) Regular maintenance of vehicles and machineries will be carried out in order to control emissions. e) Green belt development will be taken up at backfilled area and all along the roads. f) The dust respirators will be provided to all the workers in dusty atmosphere; and g) Good housekeeping and proper maintenance will be practiced which will help in controlling the pollution. Water Pollution Management: The mining project will require continuous supply of water for various purposes during mining, vegetation etc. apart from drinking water supply. The main source of water pollution in opencast mining is the surface run-off due to rainfall. There will not be any mine discharge during dry weather seasons as the proposed mining will be on the escarpment of the hill. There may be small quantity of mine discharge during monsoon season, which contains fine silt. This will be treated in settling tanks followed by de-silting tanks and the treated water (overflow) will be let into the natural nallah during monsoon. water will be stored and used for dust suppression and plantation during non-monsoon season. Rainwater Harvesting : Check dams with settling ponds will be provided to arrest the silt & suspended solids from surface run-offs along the nallahs at selected sites.
Noise & Vibration Management Noise is best abated at source by choosing machinery and equipment suitably, by proper mounting of equipment & ventilation systems and by providing noise insulating enclosures or padding where practicable. The equipment's to be procured is new and as such as the noise emission will be optimal for their design/operation. Proper maintenance / working will be done which keeps the noise level within limits. At the boundary of mining lease green belt of local trees will be planted which will act as acoustic barriers. Planting of bushy trees of rich canopy in and around the mine area to intercept noise transmission. A 7.5 m wide belt of trees of different heights will be useful to act as noise attenuator in the mining areas. Land Reclamation Measures : The mining will be done by slicing method the slope and removing all the ore available thus forming bench of 6 m height and similarly continue in subsequent lower horizons. Plantation: It is proposed to select the local tree species with the help of forest department having 5 tier arrangement for implementation all along the mining lease in order to control dispersion of fugitive dust from the mining lease.
Mining sites in the present case is located at remote area which can be categorized as under developed. Standard of living of people is this area is normally low, therefore due to industrial activity like mining, people residing in the nearby villages within the buffer zone are to be benefited by direct and indirect employment opportunities created by the mining activities. People are also beneficiaries for the facilities developed due to mining activity The mitigation measures suggested above shall be implemented so as to reduce the impact on environment due to operations of proposed mining activities. In order to facilitate easy implementation, mitigation measures are phased as per the priority implementation. A separate budgetary allocation of the funds is made for the environmental protection measures. The monitoring of the pollution to know the effectiveness of the applied control measures will be carried out at regular interval. E. CONCLUSION The detailed exploration had been completed, and, the revised mine plan with enhanced capacity of 2.50 MTPA is under preparation. Once prepared and finalized it will be submitted to IBM for approval. In the mean while It is requested to the Hon'ble Chairman and Member of the EAC MOEFCC, that the standard TOR for the EIA study may please be granted so that this dry season period could be utilized for the EIA study, however we confirm that the final EIA report will be submitted after considering all the vital parameters as may be defined in the mine plan and will be taken into consideration during the study and submission thereof before MOEF&CC. ****