No.J-11015/2379/2006-IA.II(M)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhawan,

C.G.O.Complex, Lodi Road,

New Delhi -110003.

 

Dated: 17th May 2007

To

Shri Shekar Berde,

Sr. Manager - Projects,

M/s Abhijeet Infrastructure Ltd.,

Bhilai – 490 026,

Chhattisgarh.

 

Sub:    Brinda-Sisai Coal Mine Project (0.68 MTPA) of M/s Abhijeet Infrastructure Ltd. located in Jamadoba Colliery in villages Pokla alias Kasidih, Ghagra, Katahi Misraul, Kishnupur, Madhwapur, Brinda, Sisai, Serangdag, Kabra, Bijua, Gopda, Nawadih, Navakhap, & Chhatti Bariytu, Tehsil Simaria, Tandwa,, Tandwa, Kherada, CD Blocks, in Districts Hazaribagh and Chatra, Jharkand - Environmental Clearance – reg.

 

Sir,

 

            This has reference to your letter No. AIL/B-S/EC/MoEF/06/94 dated 06.10.2006 enclosing your application on the above-mentioned subject. The Ministry of Environment & Forests has considered your application.  It has been noted that the project is for opening a new Brinda Sisai  Coal Mine Project for production of coal at a rated capacity of 0.68 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) for captive consumption of the 0.70 MTPA linked Sponge Iron Plant at Hazaribagh. Mining will be both opencast and underground by semi-mechanised method. The total lease area of Brinda Sisai Coalmine project is 1377.62 ha of which 695.17 ha is agricultural land, 632.67 ha is forestland, 49.78 ha is surface water bodies.  Forestry clearance has been obtained. There are no National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserves found in the 10 km buffer zone. The Banalat and Banwar Protected Forests are situated at a distance of 6-6.5 m from the core zone. Of the total lease area, area for excavation is 95.16 ha, 0.56 ha is for topsoil dump, 11.61 ha is for OB dumps, 1 ha is for mineral storage, area for infrastructure for OC operations is 40.50 ha and for UG operations is by 14.55 ha, an area of 3.50 ha is for roads, bunds and drains, green belt is 124 ha, and 1086.74 ha is undisturbed. A township/colony is not proposed under the project. The project involves modification of the natural drainage. The Barki Nadi flowing at a distance of 200m from the proposed project and along with other rivulets will be diverted from the opencast area. An embankment (bund of 3m higher than the HFL) is proposed for protection against flood. Project involves R&R of two villages- Khalia and Katahi Misraul involving 100 land oustees and 49 losers of homesteads. Mineral beneficiation/coal washery is not proposed within the ML. The annual rated capacity of the mine is 0.68 MTPA of which 0.50 MTPA is by opencast mining and 0.18 MTPA is by UG mining. UG mining will begin in the Sisai Block from 2nd year and in the Brinda Block after 32nd year of start of mining operations. Mineral transportation of 2266 TPD of coal for captive consumption of the linked Sponge Iron Plant located at Hazaribagh. Ultimate working depth of the mine is 85m below ground level (bgl by Opencast mining and 130m bgl by underground mining. Water table is in the range of 4.7 m – 7.2 m bgl in the core zone and 4.7 m – 8.1 m bgl in the buffer zone. Mining will intersect water table. Average water requirement is 90.5 m3/d, which will be met from mine pit water. No groundwater will be used. An estimated 19.33 Mm3 of OB will be generated in life of mine of which about 87% will be backfilled and the balance will be dumped in one external dump of 30m max. height. Backfilling will begin from 4th year onwards. Life of the mine at the rated capacity is 56 years. A combined Public Hearing was held on 26.09.2006 with representation from district Chatra and  district Hazaribagh. NOC has been obtained on 05.10.2006. Mining Plan has been approved by Ministry of Coal on 28.09.2006. Capital cost of the project is Rs. 6818.29 lakhs.

 

2.         The Ministry of Environment & Forests hereby accords environmental clearance for the above-mentioned Brinda-Siasai Coal Mine Project of M/s Abhijeet Infrastructure Ltd. for production of coal of 0.68 MTPA rated capacity over a lease area of 1377.62 ha under Section 12 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 and subsequent amendments thereto and under Para 2.1.1 of MOEF Circular dated 13.10.2006 subject to the compliance of the terms and conditions mentioned below:

 

A.        Specific Conditions

 

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

 

(ii)       Mining shall be carried out as per statuette at a safe distance from the Barki Nadi flowing adjacent to and rivulets flowing within the lease boundary.

 

(iii)      The bund/embankment to be constructed alongside Barki Nadi shall be designed taking into account the highest flood level, based on past data, so as to guard against mine inundation. The slope of the embankment shall at least 2:1 towards the ML. The height of the embankment  shall be at least 3 m higher than the HFL.

 

(iv)      Topsoil should be stacked properly with proper slope at earmarked site(s) and should not be kept active and shall be used for reclamation and development of green belt.

 

(v)       OB should be stacked at earmarked external OB dumpsite(s) within ML area and shall be a maximum height of 30m only and consist of benches of 10m each. The ultimate slope of the dump shall not exceed 28o. Backfilling shall begin at the end of 4th year in the decoaled area. Monitoring and management of existing reclaimed dumpsites should continue until the vegetation becomes self-sustaining. Compliance status should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and its Regional office located at Bhubaneshwar on yearly  basis.

 

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

Garland drains (size, gradient and length) and sump capacity should 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 should also provided adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material.

 

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

 

(viii)    The UG mining in Brinda Block shall be started only after the voids created by the opencast operations have been completely filled up with OB and there is no accumulation of water in the working areas.

 

(ix)      While extracting panels in the lower seam by UG method, all water bodies in the subsidence area shall be drained. Dewatering of the old goaves of the upper seam shall be continued as long as the lower seam is worked to prevent accumulation of large water bodies over working area.

 

(x)        At the time of depillaring, protective bunds and garland drains shall be provided so that no water from the surface enters the subsidence area and the shaft.

 

(xi)      Sufficient coal pillars shall be left unextracted around the air shaft (within the subsidence influence area) to protect from any damage from subsidence, if any.

 

(xii)     Solid barriers shall be left below the roads falling within the blocks to avoid any damage to the roads.

 

(xiii)    No depillaring operation shall be carried out below the roads and village area found within the lease until they are relocated.

 

(xiv)    Regular monitoring of subsidence movement on the surface over and around the working area and impact on natural drainage pattern, water bodies, vegetation, structure, roads, and surroundings should be continued till movement ceases completely. In case of observation of any high rate of subsidence movement, appropriate effective corrective measures should be taken to avoid loss of life and material. Cracks should be effectively plugged with ballast and clayey soil/suitable material.

 

(xv)     No mineral beneficiation/ coal washery shall be permitted without prior clearance form this Ministry.

 

(xvi)    High efficiency bag filters/water sprinkling system should be provided to check fugitive emissions from conveyor system, haulage roads, transfer points, etc.

 

(xvii)  Drills should be wet operated.

 

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

 

(xix)         Area brought under afforestation shall not be less than 245 ha and shall include reclaimed external OB dump, backfilled area, along ML boundary, along roads and green belt (124 ha) within the lease area by planting native species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees should be around 2500 plants per ha.

 

(xx)     A Progressive Closure Plan shall be implemented by reclamation of quarry area of Sisai Block which shall be backfilled, stabilised and afforested by planting native plant species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees should be around 2500 plants per ha.

 

(xxi)    Conservation Plan for endangered species, if any, found in and around the project area shall be formulated, if required, in consultation with the State Forest and Wildlife Departments.

 

(xxii)   The company shall obtain prior approval of CGWA/CGWB Regional Office for use of groundwater if required, for mining operations.

 

(xxiii)  Regular monitoring of groundwater level and quality should be carried out by establishing a network of exiting wells and construction of new peizometers. The monitoring for quantity should 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 should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and to the Central Pollution Control Board quarterly within one month of monitoring.

 

(xxiv)  The Company shall put up artificial groundwater recharge measures for augmentation of groundwater resource. The project authorities should meet water requirement of nearby village(s) in case the village wells go dry due to dewatering of mine.

 

(xxv)       ETP should also be provided for treating workshop effluents and excess mine water to meet prescribed standards before discharge.

 

(xxvi)  R&R shall not be less than the norms laid down by the State Government and shall be completed within a specified time-frame.

 

(xxvii) A Final Mine Closure Plan along with details of Corpus Fund should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests for approval 5 years in advance of final mine closure for approval.

 

(xxviii) Consent to Operate shall be obtained before starting mining operations.

 

 

B.        General Conditions

 

(i)                 No change in mining technology and scope of working should 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 should be made.

 

(iii)            Four ambient air quality monitoring stations should be established in the core zone as well as in the buffer zone for SPM, RPM, SO2 and NOx monitoring.  Location of the stations should be decided based on the meteorological data, topographical features and environmentally and ecologically sensitive targets in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

 

(iv)            Fugitive dust emissions (SPM and RPM) from all the sources should be controlled regularly monitored and data recorded properly. Water spraying arrangement on haul roads, wagon loading, dump trucks (loading and unloading) points should be provided and properly maintained.

 

(v)               Data on ambient air quality (SPM, RPM, SO2 and NOx) should be regularly submitted to the Ministry including its Regional Office at Bhubaneshwar and to the State Pollution Control Board and to the Central Pollution Control Board once in six months.

 

(vi)            Adequate measures should 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 should be provided with ear plugs/muffs.

 

(vii)          Industrial wastewater (workshop and wastewater from the mine) should 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 should be installed before discharge of workshop effluents.

 

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

 

(ix)             Environmental laboratory should 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 should wear protective respiratory devices and they should also be provided with adequate training and information on safety and health aspects.

            Occupational health surveillance programme of the workers should 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 should 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 should e kept in separate account and should not be diverted for other purpose. Year-wise expenditure should be reported to this Ministry and its Regional Office at Bhubaneshwar.

 

(xiii)        The Regional Office of this Ministry located at Bhubaneshwar 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 should 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 should 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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

(Dr.T.Chandini)

Director

Copy to:

1.      Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

2.      Secretary, Department of Environment & Forests, Government of Jharkand, Secretariat, Ranchi.

3.      Chief Conservator of Forests, Regional office (EZ), Ministry of Environment & Forests, A/3 Chandrashekarpur, Bhubaneshwar – 751023.

4.      Chairman, Jharkand State Pollution Control Board, TA Building, HEC Complex, PO Dhurwa, Ranchi.

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, Chatra, Government of Jharkand.

8.      District Collector, Hazaribagh, Government of Jharkand.

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

 

 

 

(Dr.T.Chandini)

Director

 

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