No.J-11015/31/2009-IA.II(M)
Government
of India
Ministry
of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran
Bhawan,
C.G.O.Complex,
New
Delhi -110510
Dated:
22nd July 2009
To
M/s Western Coalfields Ltd.,
Coal
Estate, Civil Lines,
NAGPUR
– 440001.
Sub: Ballarpur
Underground Coal Mine Expansion Project (expansion from 0.60 MTPA to 0.76 MTPA
of M/s Western Coalfields Ltd. (WCL), located near village and Tehsil
Ballarpur, District Chandrapur, Maharashtra - environmental clearance – reg.
Sir,
This has reference to letter No.
43011/125/2008-CPAM dated 12.01.2009 of Ministry of Coal forwarding your
application seeking environmental clearance under Section 7 (ii) of the EIA
Notification 2006 and subsequent letter dated 15.07.2009 on the above-mentioned
subject. The Ministry of Environment & Forests has considered your
application. It is noted that the
application is for seeking environmental clearance under section 7 (ii) for expansion in production in the existing
Ballarpur Underground Coal Mine Project from 0.60 million tonnes per annum
(MTPA) to 0.76 MTPA with no change in lease area of 1619.66 ha. The project
was granted EC on 21.03.2007 for 0.60 MTPA production capacity over the
existing ML area of 1619.66 ha. The
project consists of three operating underground mines – Ballarpur 3 & 4
Pit, Mana Incline and Nandgaon, of which the production capacity of two of the
mines Mana Incline and Nandgaon is to be increased from 0.15 MTPA to 0.20 MTPA
and 0.19 MTPA to 0.30 MTPA respectively. Of the total lease area of 1619.66 ha, of which 1223.02 ha is
agricultural land, 123.71 ha is forestland and 272.93 ha is wasteland. Forestry
clearance has been applied for. The project does not involve R&R. There
area no National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserves found in the 15
km buffer zone. The project does not involve modification of the natural
drainage. Mining will be underground by Bord & Pillar method involving
hydraulic sand stowing. The expansion project does not involve change in land
requirement, mining technology, displacement, manpower, and no fresh source of
water. Mineral transportation of 2333
TPD of coal is by trolley from mine face to surface to CHP located near the
Incline mouth and thereafter by road (973 TPD) and by rail (1360 TPD)
from railway siding located at a distance of 2 km. Ultimate working
depth of the mine is 265 m below ground level (bgl). Detailed subsidence
prediction Study has been carried out. Mining has intersected water table,
which is in the range of 3.2-14.10 m bgl during pre-monsoon and 1.0-4.50m
during post-monsoon. Peak water requirement is 9529 m3/d, which is to be met
from mine water discharge. Balance life of the mine at the proposed rated
capacity is 17 years. Public Hearing was held on 26.10.2005 for 0.60 MTPA
capacity project. The project has been approved by M/s WCL on 05.11.2008. The
capital investment for the expansion project is 15.1835
crores.
2. The Ministry of Environment &
Forests hereby accords environmental clearance for the above-mentioned Ballarpur Underground Coalmine Expansion
Project of M/s WCL for expansion in
production of coal from 0.60 MTPA to 0.76 MTPA rated capacity by increasing
production in two of the mines - Mana Incline and Nandgaon from 0.15 MTPA to
0.20 MTPA and 0.19 MTPA to 0.30 MTPA respectively within the existing total lease area of 1619.66 ha under Section 7 (ii) of the
Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 and subsequent amendments
and Circulars thereto and subject to conditions specified below:
A. Specific
Conditions
(i) No mining shall be undertaken in
forestland until forestry clearance has been obtained.
(ii) 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
shall be continued till movement ceases completely. In case of observation of
any high rate of subsidence movement, appropriate effective corrective measures
shall be taken to avoid loss of life and material. Cracks shall be effectively
plugged with ballast and clayey soil/suitable material.
(iii) High root density tree species shall be
selected and planted over areas likely to be affected by subsidence.
(iv) Coal extraction shall also be
optimised in areas where agricultural production is continuing. Some pillars
shall be left below the agricultural land. No coal depillaring shall be
undertaken below areas of habitation.
(v) Subsidence shall be monitored
closely and if subsidence is found exceeding the permitted limits, then the
landowners shall be adequately compensated with mutual agreement of the
landowners.
(vi) 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.
(vii) Water
sprinkling system shall be provided to check fugitive emissions from loading
operations, conveyor system, haulage roads, transfer points, etc. Mobile
sprinklers shall be provided in major haul roads and with high levels of
SPM/RSPM.
(viii) Major approach roads shall be black topped and properly maintained. A 3-tier plantation shall be developed along all major roads, near CHP, coal bunker, infrastructure. A mist spray water sprinkling system shall be installed at the CHP and at transfer points
(ix) Drills shall be wet operated only to avoid fugitive dust emissions.
(x) A progressive afforestation plan shall
be prepared and implemented over the mine lease area and shall include areas
under green belt development, areas along roads, infrastructure, along ML
boundary and township outside the lease area, etc, by planting native species
in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the
trees shall be around 2500 plants per ha.
(xi) 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 tot eh Central
Pollution Control Board quarterly within one month of monitoring.
(xii) The
Company shall put up artificial groundwater recharge measures for augmentation
of groundwater resource in case monitoring of water table indicates a declining
trend. The project authorities shall meet water requirement of nearby
village(s) in case the village wells go dry due to dewatering of mine.
(xiii) Mine
discharge water particularly TDS shall be treated to conform to prescribed
levels before discharge into the natural environment.
(xiv) 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.
(xv) 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.
(xvi) A Final Mine Closure Plan along with
details of Corpus Fund shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment &
Forests within 6 months of grant of environmental clearance.
(xvii) The
project proponent shall undertake a socio-economic survey for identifying and
taking up need based specific socio-economic activities/ programmes/ schemes,
which are required in the area.
Monitoring of the impacts of activities under CSR shall be carried out
periodically. Educational centres shall be established in the area to create
awareness and for organising workshops, etc.
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 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. 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. Monitoring of heavy
metals such as Hg, As, Ni, Cd, Cr, in SPM and RSPM etc. shall be carried out at
least one in six months.
(iv)
Data on ambient
air quality (SPM, RSPM, SO2 and NOx and heavy metals such as Hg, As, Ni, Cr,
etc) shall be regularly submitted to the Ministry including its Regional Office
at Bhopal and to the State Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution
Control Board once in six months. Random
verification of samples through analysis from independent laboratories recognised
under the EP Rules, 1986 shall be furnished as part of the compliance report.
(v)
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.
(vi)
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.
(vii)
Vehicular emissions shall be kept
under control and regularly monitored. Vehicles used for transportation of the
mineral shall be covered with tarpaulins and optimally loaded.
(viii)
Appropriate measures shall be taken
to avoid hazards of fire and explosions due to methane gas.
(ix)
Monitoring of environmental quality
parameters shall be carried out through establishment of adequate number and type
of pollution monitoring and analysis equipment in consultation with the State
Pollution Control Board and data got analysed through a laboratory recognised
under EP Rules, 1986.
(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 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.
(xiv)
A copy of the environmental
clearance letter shall be marked to concerned Panchayat/ Zila
Parishad/Municipal Corporation or Urban Local Body/ local NGO, if any, from
whom any suggestion/representation has been received while processing the
proposal. A copy of the clearance letter shall also be displayed on the
company’s website.
(xv)
A copy of the clearance letter
shall be displayed on the website of the concerned State Pollution Control
Board. The EC letter shall also be displayed at the Regional Office, District
Industry Centre and Collector’s Office/Tehsildar’s Office for 30 days.
(xvi)
The project proponent shall submit
six monthly reports on the status of compliance of the stipulated environmental
clearance conditions (both in hard copy and in e-mail) to the respective
Regional Office of the MOEF, the respective Zonal offices of CPCB and the SPCB.
The compliance status of the stipulated EC conditions shall also be uploaded by
the project authorities on their website and updated at least once every six
months so as to bring the same in the public domain. The monitoring data of
environmental quality parameters (air, water, noise and soil) shall also be
displayed at the entrance of the project premises and mines office and in
corporate office and on the company’s website.
(xvii)
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.
(xviii)
The environmental statement for
each financial year ending 31st March in Form-V is mandated to be
submitted by the project proponent tot the concerned State Pollution Control
Board as prescribed under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, as amended
subsequently, shall also be uploaded on the company’s website along with the
status of compliance of EC conditions and shall be sent to the respective
Regional Offices of the MOEF by E-mail.
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, Government of Maharashtra, 15th Floor, New Admn. Bldg.,
Madam Cama Road, MUMBAI – 400032.
3.
Chief Conservator of Forests,
Regional office (EZ), Ministry of Environment & Forests, E-2/240 Arear
Colony, Bhopal – 462016.
4.
Chairman, Maharsashtra State
Pollution Control Board, Kalapataru Point, 3rd & 4th
Floors, Sion, Matunga Scheme Road No. 8, Opp. Cine Planet Cinema, Near Sion
Circle, Sion (E), Mumbai – 400002.
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.
Shri M.K. Shukla, CGM, Coal India
Limited, SCOPE Minar, Core-I, 4t Floor, Vikas Marg, Laxminagar, New Delhi.
8.
District Collector, Chandrapur,
Government of Maharashtra.
9.
Monitoring File 10. Guard File 11. Record File.
(Dr.T.Chandini)
Director