No.J-11015/487/2007-IA.II(M)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhawan,

C.G.O.Complex,

New Delhi -110510.

 

E-mail: ms.coal-mef@nic.in

 

Dated:  3rd June 2009

To

General Manager (W.B.P/Env.),

M/s South Eastern Coalfields Ltd.,

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

 

Sub:            Expansion of Dipka Opencast Mine (20 MTPA to 25 MTPA and expansion in project area from 1461.51 ha to 2000.642 ha) of M/s South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. (SECL), located in village Dipka, Tehsil Katghora, Dist. Korba, Chhattisgarh - (EC based on TOR granted on 22.10.2007)  – reg.

Sir,

 

            This is with reference to letter No. 43011/76/2007-CPAM dated 30.05.2007 forwarding the application for Terms of Reference (TOR) and this Ministry’s letter dated 22.10.2007 granting TOR to the above-mentioned project and subsequent letter No. CIL/EMP-TOR/2008/03 of M/s CIL dated 24.12.2008 with application for environmental clearance based on TOR and subsequent letters of M/s SECL dated 07.01.2009,25.02.2009, 26.02.2009, 27.02.2009, 08.04.2009, and 30.04.2009 and letter of CIL dated 20.04.2009 on the above-mentioned subject. The Ministry of Environment & Forests has considered your application. The project is for expansion in Dipka Opencast Coalmine Project in terms of annual production capacity of coal from 20 MTPA to 25 MTPA and project area from 1461.51 ha to 2000.642 ha.  The project was granted environmental clearance on 04.10.2004  for a production capacity of 20 MTPA of coal in a project area of 1461.51 ha.  Of the total project area, 1406.363 ha is agricultural land, 424.522 ha is forestland, 160.757 ha is wasteland and 9 ha is surface water bodies. River Ahiran flows at a distance of 8km from the ML. There are a number of rivers and nalas such as Lilagarh nadi, Kholar nala, and channels flowing within and in the vicinity of the ML area. It is not proposed to modify the surface water drainage of the area. There are no National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserves found in the 15 km buffer zone. The project is located in Korba, which is one of the critically polluted areas in the country. Open, mixed forest is found in the core and buffer zone. A large number of high-capacity mines are situated in the vicinity of the project. The project involves R&R of 10 villages from the existing (20 MTPA) project– Sirki, Chainpur, Suwabondi, Jhingatpur, Malgaon, Beltikri, Dipka, Jhabar, Ratiza, and Renki involving 1690 PAFS of which 1471 PAFS have been rehablitated. The expansion project involves additional R&R from 5 villages comprising a total of 903 PAFs – Renki, Suwabondi, Hardibazar, Malgaon and Amgaon.

 

Maximum rated capacity of the mine is 25 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of coal production. Mining will be both opencast (OC) be mechanised method using surface miner for coal extraction and shovel-dumper for OB removal. Blasting is limited to OB removal. Of the total lease area, 1002.053 ha is for quarry area, area for storage of topsoil is 5 ha, area for ext. OB dumps 206 ha, mineral storage area is 3 ha, roads 4 ha, green belt 15 ha, safety zone 111 ha, infrastructure & other facilities such as CHP 614.589 ha and RR site of 40 ha outside the ML. A township of an area of 35 ha with 1287 dwelling units is established at a distance of 2 km form ML. Entire mineral transportation of 600606 TPD of coal from mine pit top to railway siding being established within the ML area is proposed to be by closed conveyors and thereafter by rail/MGR. Loading would be mechanised by Silo Loading System. Ultimate working depth of the mine is 280 m below ground level (bgl). Present working depth is 90m bgl. Water table is in the range of 6.57-8.21 m bgl during pre-monsoon and 3.78-4.49m bgl during post-monsoon. Peak water demand is 4135 m3/d of water of which 1925 m3/d is for dust suppression, 200 m3/d is for domestic consumption, 150 m3/d is for green belt, 360 m3/d is for CHP, 250 m3/d for workshop, and balance in township and other uses. Of the total water demand, 885 m3/d would be met from River Hasdeo, 650 m3/d is groundwater and 2600 m3/d is from mine water. An estimated 615 Mm3 of OB would be generated over the balance life of the mine, of which 534 Mm3 would be dumped in decoaled void of 780 ha and the balance 81 Mm3 of OB would be stored in external OB dump of 206 ha of a max. height of 90m from ground level.  Backfilling would begin from 16th year of expansion project.  Of the 1002.053 ha of the quarry area,  an area of 780 ha would be reclaimed with vegetation and the balance 222.053 ha would be left as a void/water body for further expansion in the dipside. Life of the project at the rated capacity of 25 MTPA is 25 years. Capital cost of the project is Rs. 1843.48 crores. Mining Plan of the project was approved by the Ministry of Coal on 20.12.2006. Public Hearing was conducted on 05.09.2008.

 

2.         The Ministry of Environment & Forests has examined the application in accordance with the EIA Notification 2006 and under the provisions thereof, hereby accords environmental clearance for the above-mentioned Dipka Opencast Coalmine project of M/s South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. for expansion in production of coal at 25 MTPA rated capacity in a total project area of  2000.642 under the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 and amendments thereto and Circulars issued thereon and subject to the compliance of the terms and conditions mentioned below:

 

A.            Specific Conditions

 

(i)         No mining operations shall be undertaken in 424.52 ha forestland, until forestry clearance has been obtained under the provisions of FC Act, 1980.

 

(ii)        Prior approval of the State Government shall be taken for use of water from River Hasdeo to the tune of 885 m3/d for the mining operations.

 

(iii)       Prior approval of the CGWA shall be obtained for using ground water (650 m3/d) for the mining operation.

 

(iv)       Mining shall be carried out as per statuette at a safe distance from the surface water bodies flowing in and near the Mine Lease/ project area.

 

(v)        Entire mineral transportation from coal mine pit top to railway siding being established within the project area shall be by closed conveyors only and from there by rail/MGR to consumers.  Both conveyors and railway siding shall be established within 18 months of grant of the environmental clearance. Mechanised Silo Loading System shall be deployed for loading ofc oal at the siding.

 

(vi)       Top soil shall be stored in the earmarked 5 ha area and used for green belt development and for plantation/reclamation.

 

(vii)       OB shall be stacked at the earmarked external OB dumpsite of 206 ha within ML area for the opencast operations of a maximum height of 90m consisting of 3 benches of 30m each. The ultimate slope of the dump shall not exceed 28o. Monitoring and management of existing reclaimed dumpsites including slope stability shall continue until the vegetation becomes self-sustaining. Compliance status shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and its Regional office located at Bhopal on a yearly basis.

 

(viii)      Garland drains (size, gradient and length) around the safety areas such as mine shaft and low lying areas and sump capacity shall be designed keeping 50% safety margin over an above the peak sudden rainfall and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine sites. Sump capacity shall also be provided adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material.

 

(ix)       Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed to arrest silt and sediment flows from soil, OB and mineral dumps. The water so collected shall be utilised for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development, etc. The drains shall be regularly desilted and maintained properly.

Garland drains (size, gradient and length) and sump capacity shall be designed keeping 50% safety margin over and above the peak sudden rainfall and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site. Sump capacity shall also provide adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material.

 

(x)            Dimension of the retaining wall at the toe of the dumps and OB benches within the mine to check run-off and siltation shall be based on the rainfall data.

 

(xi)            Crushers at the CHP shall be operated with high efficiency bag filters/water sprinkling system shall be provided to check fugitive emissions from crushing operations, conveyor system which shall be closed, haulage roads, transfer points, etc.

 

(xii)       Drills shall be wet operated only.

 

(xiii)            Controlled blasting shall be practiced with use of delay detonators and only during daytime. The mitigative measures for control of ground vibrations and to arrest the fly rocks and boulders shall be implemented.

 

(xiv)     An afforestation plan covering an area not less than 1001 ha shall be implemented, which includes backfilled area (780 ha) and ext. OB dump (206 ha), along ML boundary, green belt (15 ha), along roads, infrastructure, safety zone, undisturbed/vacant land by planting native species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees shall be around 2500 plants per ha. An area of 723.544 ha shall be restored for agricultural/grazing at the post mining stage.

 

(xv)             Of the total 1002.053  ha of the quarry area, an area of 780 ha of excavated area shall be reclaimed with plantation/afforestation by planting native plant species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees shall be around 2500 plants per ha. The balance 222.053 ha of decoaled the void left for further expansion in the dipside shall be converted into a water reservoir, shall be gently sloped and the upper benches of the reservoir shall be stabilised with plantation and the periphery of the reservoir fenced.

 

(xvi)      A Programme for conservation of the wildlife particularly the rare and endangered species/Schedule-I fauna and endangered flora and species of medicinal importance found in the study area shall be formulated and implemented in consultation with the Forest and Wildlife Departments in the State Government. Separate funds shall be earmarked for implementation of the various activities there under and the status thereof shall be regularly reported to this Ministry and the MOEF Regional Office, Bhopal. The project authorities shall participate in a Regional Action Plan o the State Government for conservation o flora and fauna found within the study area.

 

(xvii)     A detailed ground water monitoring action plan (along with budgetary provisions) for monitoring groundwater quality and level in consultation with the Central/State Ground Water Board be prepared and implemented. Regular monitoring of groundwater level and quality shall be carried out by establishing a network of exiting wells and construction of new peizometers. The monitoring for quantity shall be done four times a year in pre-monsoon (May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January) seasons and for quality in May. Data thus collected shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and to the Central Pollution Control Board quarterly within one month of monitoring.

 

(xviii)    A Plan for water conservation and recharge measures of ground water along with budgetary provisions be prepared and implemented in consultation with the Central/State Ground Water Board to mitigate the adverse impact of mining which may lead to depletion of water levels in the area. The Company shall put up artificial groundwater recharge measures for augmentation of groundwater resource in case monitoring of groundwater levels indicate decline of water table. Any additional water requirement for mining operation shall be met from rainwater/recycling of water only. The project authorities shall meet water requirement of nearby village(s) in case the village wells go dry due to dewatering of mine.

 

(xix)     ETP shall also be provided for treatment of effluents from workshop, CHP (288 m3/d) and an STP shall be provided for treating wastewater (880m3/d) from the township and the treated effluents shall be used for green belt development. An estimated 2600 m3/d (74 %) of the total 6852 m3/d of wastewater generated from the mine would be treated and recycled for mine operations and the balance 4252m3/d of wastewater and mine water discharge (peak - 6404 m3/d) shall be treated to prescribed standards before discharge into the surface waters/agricultural use.

 

(xx)      Besides carrying out regular periodic health check up of their workers, 10% of the workers identified from workforce engaged in active mining operations shall be subjected to health check up for occupational diseases and hearing impairment, if any, through an agency such as NIOH, Ahmedabad within a period of one year and the results reported to this Ministry and to DGMS.

 

(xxi)      For monitoring land use pattern and for post mining land use, a time series of landuse maps, based on satellite imagery (on a scale of 1: 5000) of the core zone and buffer zone, from the start of the project until end of mine life shall be prepared once in 3 years (for any one particular season which is consistent in the time series), and the report submitted to MOEF and its Regional office at Bhopal.

 

(xxii)     R&R shall be not less than the norms prescribed in National R&R Policy 2007 and shall be implemented within a specified agreed time schedule. The time-frame for providing employment to all the PAPs shall be compressed and details submitted to MOEF for record.

 

(xxiii)    A detailed Plan for CSR with specific budgetary allocation (capital and revenue) for various skill development and alternate livelihood programmes and schemes and implemented through establishment of cooperatives and SHGs. CSR activities shall not overlap for the villages falling in the study area of the coal mine projects located in the study area. Costs for CSR would have a capital expenditure of not less than Rs 1 crore and an annual revenue expenditure of Rs. 4 crores for Dipka Project. This is in addition to 2.5% of the company’s earnings to be utilised for CSR for the balance life of 25 years of the Dipka Project. Tribal Development Plan for the tribals shall be prepared as part of CSR. A detailed pre-project survey be carried on the socio-economic status of the local communities living in the villages near the project area before start of the mining operation based on a scientific methodology based on UNDP Human Development Index and monitoring the impact of project on the socio-economic and human development of the local communities, which shall be used as a base-line data for monitoring the progress of the status of human and socio-economic development in the area during and after the project life which is reflected in their Annual Report of the company and is also furnished as part of the Monitoring Report submitted to MOEF.

           

(xxiv)    A Final Mine Closure Plan along with details of Corpus Fund shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests five year before mine closure for approval. Habitat Restoration Plan of the mine area shall be carried out using a mix of native species found in the original ecosystem, which were conserved in-situ and ex-situ in an identified area within the lease for reintroduction in the mine during mine reclamation and at the post mining stage for habitat restoration.

 

B.            General Conditions

 

 

(i)                  No change in mining technology and scope of working shall be made without prior approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

 

(ii)                No change in the calendar plan including excavation, quantum of mineral coal and waste shall be made.

 

(iii)               Four ambient air quality monitoring stations shall be established in the core zone as well as in the buffer zone for monitoring SPM, RSPM, SO2 and NOx. and heavy metals such as Hg, Pb, Cr, As, etc. Location of the stations shall be decided based on the meteorological data, topographical features and environmentally and ecologically sensitive targets in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

 

(iv)               Data on ambient air quality (SPM, RSPM, SO2, NOx and heavy metals such as Hg, Pb, Cr, As, etc) shall be regularly submitted to the Ministry including its Regional Office and to the State Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board once in six months.

 

(v)                Fugitive dust emissions (SPM, RSPM, and heavy metals such as Hg, Pb, Cr, As, etc) from all the sources shall be controlled regularly monitored and data recorded properly. Water spraying arrangement on haul roads, wagon loading, dumper trucks (loading and unloading) points shall be provided and properly maintained.

 

 

(vi)               Adequate measures shall be taken for control of noise levels below 85 dBA in the work environment. Workers engaged in blasting and drilling operations, operation of HEMM, etc shall be provided with ear plugs/muffs.

 

(vii)             Industrial wastewater (workshop and wastewater from the mine) shall be properly collected, treated so as to conform to the standards prescribed under GSR 422 (E) dated 19th May 1993 and 31st December 1993 or as amended from time to time before discharge. Oil and grease trap shall be installed before discharge of workshop effluents.

 

(viii)            Vehicular emissions shall be kept under control and regularly monitored. Vehicles used for transporting the mineral shall be covered with tarpaulins and optimally loaded.

 

(ix)               Environmental laboratory shall be established with adequate number and type of pollution monitoring and analysis equipment in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

 

(x)                Personnel working in dusty areas shall wear protective respiratory devices and they shall also be provided with adequate training and information on safety and health aspects.

            Occupational health surveillance programme of the workers shall be undertaken periodically to observe any contractions due to exposure to dust and to take corrective measures, if needed.

 

(xi)               A separate environmental management cell with suitable qualified personnel shall be set up under the control of a Senior Executive, who will report directly to the Head of the company.

 

(xii)             The funds earmarked for environmental protection measures shall e kept in separate account and shall not be diverted for other purpose. Year-wise expenditure shall be reported to this Ministry and its Regional Office at Bhopal.

 

(xiii)            The Regional Office of this Ministry located at Bhopal shall monitor compliance of the stipulated conditions. The Project authorities shall extend full cooperation to the office(s) of the Regional Office by furnishing the requisite data/ information/monitoring reports.

 

(xiv)            A copy of the will be marked to concerned Panchayat/ local NGO, if any, from whom any suggestion/representation has been received while processing the proposal.

 

(xv)             State Pollution Control Board shall display a copy of the clearance letter at the Regional  Office, District Industry Centre and Collector’s Office/Tehsildar’s Office for 30 days.

 

(xvi)            The Project authorities shall advertise at least in two local newspapers widely circulated around the project, one of which shall be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned within seven days 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 the website of the ministry of Environment & Forests at http://envfor.nic.in.  The compliance status shall also be uploaded by the project authorities in their website and regularly updated at least once in six months so as to bring the same in the public domain. The monitoring data of environmental parameters (air, water, soil and noise) shall also be displayed at the entrance of the project premises and mines office and in corporate office and also in their website.

 

 

3.         The Ministry or any other competent authority may stipulate any further condition for environmental protection.

 

4.         Failure to comply with any of the conditions mentioned above may result in withdrawal of this clearance and attract the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

 

5.         The above conditions will be enforced inter-alia, under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 along with their amendments and Rules. The proponent shall ensure to undertake and provide for the costs incurred for taking up remedial measures in case of soil contamination, contamination of groundwater and surface water, and occupational and other diseases due to the mining operations.

 

 

(Dr.T.Chandini)

Director

Copy to:

1.       Secretary, Ministry of Coal, New Delhi.

2.       Secretary, Department of Environment & Forests, Government of Chhattisgarh, Secretariat, Raipur.

3.       Chief Conservator of Forests, Regional office (EZ), Ministry of Environment & Forests, E-2/240 Arear Colony, Bhopal – 462016.

4.   Chairman, Chhattisgarh State Environment Conservation Board, 1-Tilak Nagar, Shiv Mandir Chowk,Main Road, Avanti Vihar, RAIPUR-Chhattisgarh – 492001.

5.   Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, CBD-cum-Office Complex, East Arjun Nagar, New Delhi -110032.

6.   Member-Secretary, Central Ground Water Authority, Ministry of Water Resources, Curzon Road Barracks, A-2, W-3 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi.

7.   District Collector, Korba, Government of Chhattisgarh, New Delhi.

8.   Monitoring File            9.            Guard File            10.            Record File.

 

 

(Dr.T.Chandini)

Director

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