No. J-11015/288/2008-IA.II(M)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhavan,

C.G.O. Complex, Lodi Road,

New Delhi-110 003.

 

Dated the 21st February, 2011

To            

M/s Aryan Mining & Trading Corporation Pvt. Ltd.

Narayanposhi Iron & Manganese Ore Mine,

Near Koira & Kashira Village, Tehsil Bonai,

District Sundergarh,

Orissa

E-mail: contact@aryanmining.in

 

Subject:     Expansion of Narayanposhi Iron & Manganese Ore Mining Project of M/s Aryan Mining & Trading Corporation Pvt. Ltd. located in Village(s) Koira & Kashira, Tehsil Bonai, District Sundergarh, Orissa- environmental clearance regarding.

                Sir,

      This has reference to your letter No. 19-EIA/10-11 dated 12.07.2010 and subsequent letter dated 30.09.2010 and 04.02.2011 on the subject mentioned above. The project was earlier prescribed Terms of Reference (TORs) by the Ministry of Environment and Forests on 22.12.2008 for undertaking detailed EIA study for the purpose of obtaining environmental clearance. The proposal is for enhancement of production of iron ore from 0.6million tonnes per annum (million TPA) to 3million TPA and manganese ore from 0.0078 million TPA to 0.036 million TPA along with 1200 TPH crushing and screening plants. The project was earlier granted environmental clearance by the Ministry of Environment and Forests on 28.03.2007 for production of 6LTPA(0.6 million TPA) of iron ore and 7800TPA(0.0078million TPA) of manganese ore involving total mining lease area of 349.254ha.

 

2.     The total mine lease area of the project is 349.254ha, out of which 259.191ha is forestland and 90.063ha is others. The mine lease area forms part of Kathamala Reserve Forests. Forestry clearance has been obtained for 244.327 ha and the remaining 14.864 ha will remain as safety zone. The natural drainage system is distinct and dendritic due to hilly topography. The Karo nadi and the Teherai nalla are the perennial rivers of the study area. The study area falls in the catchments of the Karo river. In addition, several 1st and 2nd order streams namely the Lekera Pani Nala (1.5 km E), Teheri Nala (5.5 km SE), Kalmanga Nala (3.2 km NE), Kara Madi (2km N), Samij Nala (3km NW), Erua Nala (3km W), Sarakanda Nadi (10km SSW), Gamlei Nala (7.5km NNE), Tapodihi Nala (7.5km ESE), Khajurdhi Nala (7.5km SSE) and Parahi Nala (8.5km SSE) are reported in the buffer zone of the mine. Area proposed for mining is 232.68ha,  an area of 12.06ha is kept for OB dumps, 4.292ha for mineral storage, 1ha for infrastructure, 2.7ha for roads, 30.995ha for green belt, 5ha for mineral separation plant and 60.527ha is others.

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3.     No national park/wildlife sanctuary/biosphere reserve/tiger reserve/elephant reserve etc. are reported to be located in the core and buffer zone of the mine. In support of this the proponent has submitted an authenticated map from the DFO and Wildlife Warden, Bonai Division. The Karo-Karampada Elephant Corridor is reported to be located at a distance of 18km from the mine lease. Ten reserve forests namely the Kathamala RF(within core zone), the Mendamarni RF(1km E), the Tohra RF(1.1 km WNW), the Karo RF(1km N), the Uliburu RF(5.5kmN), the Lakraghat RF(8.1kmNE), the Sidhamath RF(9.3kmENE), the  Karampada RF (7.5km N), the Sarkanda RF(7.5km SW) and the Khajuridihi RF(9.2km S) are located in the buffer zone of the mine.

 

4.     The mine working will be opencast by semi-mechanized method involving drilling and blasting. The targetted production capacity of the mine is 3million TPA of iron ore and 36,000TPA of manganese ore and the life of mine is 23years for iron ore and 7years for the manganese ore. Approximately 10,120TPD of ore will be transported through the road. The topography of the area is undulated and hilly at an elevation of 600m above mean sea level. The present working depth of mine is 556m AMSL for iron ore and 559m AMSL for manganese ore. The ultimate working depth of mine will be 546m AMSL for iron ore and 541m AMSL for manganese ore. The water table is reported to occur at a depth of 545m RL during monsoon and 542m RL during dry season. Working of iron ore will not intersect the groundwater table in the conceptual stage, whereas the working of manganese ore may puncture the water table. The proponent has provided the hydro-geology study of the area. It has been stated that the buffer zone represents an area, where stage of development is only a meager 29.12% and as per data collected from secondary source, there is no significant fall in water level trend, so the area can be categorised as ‘safe’ from groundwater development point of view. The peak water requirement of the project is estimated as 250m3 per day, which will be sourced from the Karo Nallah. The proponent has stated that local inhabitants settled in their own patta land, which is a part of mine lease and is a non mineral bearing area, they will continue to reside there and no R&R is envisaged. It is estimated that 45 lakhs m3 of waste will be generated during the life of the mine, which will be partially backfilled.  There will be three external OB dumps covering an area of 12.06 ha spread at three locations; however, the waste to be generated after 2015-16 will be concurrently backfilled. The maximum project height of the dumps will be 30m having four terraces of 7.5m each. The external dumps will be rehabilitated and stabilized by plantation. Plantation will be raised in an area of 244.74ha at the end of the mine life.

 

5.     The public hearing of the project was held on 26.02.2010 for enhancement of production of iron ore from 0.6MTPA TPA to 3.0MTPA  and manganese ore from 0.0078MTPA to 0.036MTPA and establishing a 1200TPH crushing and screening plant over an area of 349.254ha. The Indian Bureau of Mines had approved scheme of mining alongwith PMCP of the project on 29.04.2010 over an area of 349.254ha. The Ministry of Environment and Forests had  accorded  forestry clearance for diversion of 244.327ha forestland

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on 15.11.2007. The Conservator of Forests(Wildlife), Office of PCCF(Wildlife) and CWLW, Government of Orissa approved site specific wildlife conservation plan vide letter Memo No.6257/1WL-C-SSP-260/2010 dated 04.09.2010. The capital cost of the project is Rs.11000Lakhs and the capital cost for the environmental protection measures is proposed as Rs.74Lakhs. The annual recurring cost towards the environmental protection measures is proposed as Rs.30Lakhs. It has been stated that there is no court case to the project or related activity.

 

6.     The Ministry of Environment and Forests has examined the application in accordance with the EIA Notification, 2006. It was observed that the production from the mine was enhanced after 2007 without obtaining requisite prior environmental clearance and thereby violated the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Accordingly, as per the procedure prescribed vide Circular No. J-11013/41/2006-IA.II(I) dated 16.11.2006 the proponent was asked to place the matter before the Board of Directors of Company and submit a written commitment in the form of formal resolution that the violation of the Environment (Protection) Act,1986 will not be repeated. Having received the resolution of the Board of Directors passed in its meeting dated 04.02.2011 submitted vide letter No 64/MoEF/10-11 dated 04.02.2011, the Ministry of Environment and Forests hereby accords environmental clearance under the provisions thereof to the above mentioned Narayanposhi Iron & Manganese Ore Mining Project of M/s Aryan Mining & Trading Corporation Pvt. Ltd for an annual production capacity of three(3) million TPA of iron ore and 0.036 million tones of manganese ore by the opencast semi-mechanized method involving total mine lease area of 349.254ha, subject to implementation of the following conditions and environmental safeguards.

 

A.          Specific Conditions

 

(i)               The project proponent shall obtain Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from the State Pollution Control Board, Orissa and effectively implement all the conditions stipulated therein.

 

(ii)            Environmental clearance is subject to grant of forestry clearance.

 

(iii)          Environmental clearance is subject to final order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of Goa Foundation Vs. Union of India in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 460 of 2004, as may be applicable to this project.

 

(iv)          Environmental clearance is subject to obtaining clearance under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 from the competent authority, as may be applicable to this project.

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(v)             The project proponent shall ensure that no natural watercourse and/or water resources shall be obstructed due to any mining operations. Adequate measures shall be taken for conservation and protection of the seasonal nallah passing through the mine lease and also the first order and the second order streams, if any emanating/passing through the mine lease area during the course of mining operation.

 

(vi)          The top soil, if any shall temporarily be stored at earmarked site(s) only and it should not be kept unutilized for long. The topsoil shall be used for land reclamation and plantation. 

 

(vii)        The proponent shall carry out sequential mining to the extent possible so as to have minimum number of external OB dumps.

 

(viii)     The over burden generated during the mining operation shall be stacked at earmarked dump site(s) only and it should not be kept active for a long period of time and its phase-wise stabilization shall be carried out. Backfilling shall commence from the year 2010 onwards. There shall be three external OB dumps. The maximum height of dump(s) shall not exceed 30m having four terraces of 7.5m each, so that the overall slope of the dump(s) shall be maintained to 27°. The waste to be generated after 2015-16 shall be concurrently backfilled. The over burden dump(s) shall be scientifically vegetated with suitable native species to prevent erosion and surface run off. In critical areas, use of geo textiles shall be undertaken for stabilization of the dump(s). Monitoring and management of rehabilitated areas 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 Bhubaneswar on six monthly basis.

 

(ix)          Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed around the mine working, OB and mineral dump(s) to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the Karo Nadi, the Teherai Nalla, 1st and 2nd order seasonal nallahs and other water bodies. The water so collected should be utilized for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development etc. The drains shall be regularly desilted particularly after the monsoon and maintained properly.       

 

          Garland drains, settling tanks and check dams of appropriate size, gradient and length shall be constructed around the mine pit and OB and mineral dump(s) to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the Karo Nadi, the Teherai Nalla, 1st and 2nd order seasonal nallahs and other water bodies and sump capacity should be  designed  keeping 50% safety  margin over and above peak sudden rainfall (based on 50 years data) and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site. Sump capacity should also provide adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material. Sedimentation pits shall be constructed at the corners of the garland drains and desilted at regular intervals. 

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

 

(xi)          Plantation shall be raised in an area of 244.74ha including a 7.5m wide green belt in the safety zone around the mining lease by planting the native species around reclaimed area, OB dump(s), mine benches, along the roads etc. in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees should be around 2500 plants per hectare. Greenbelt shall be developed all along the mine lease area in a phased manner and shall be completed within first five years.  

 

(xii)        Effective safeguard measures such as regular water sprinkling shall be carried out in critical areas prone to air pollution and having high levels of particulate matter such as around crushing and screening plant, loading and unloading point and transfer points. Extensive water sprinkling shall be carried out on haul roads. It should be ensured that the Ambient Air Quality parameters conform to the norms prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board in this regard.

 

(xiii)     The project authority should implement suitable conservation measures to augment ground water resources in the area in consultation with the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

 

(xiv)      Regular monitoring of ground water level and quality shall be carried out in and around the project area(mine lease, beneficiation plant and tailing ponds) by establishing a network of existing wells and installing new piezometers during the operation. The periodic monitoring [(at least four times in a year- pre-monsoon (April-May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January); once in each season)] shall be carried out in consultation with the State Ground Water Board/Central Ground Water Authority and the data thus collected may be sent regularly to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office Bhubneswar, the Central Ground Water Authority and the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board. If at any stage, it is observed that the groundwater table is getting depleted due to the mining activity, necessary corrective measures shall be carried out.

 

(xv)        Appropriate mitigative measures should be taken to prevent pollution of the Karo Nadi in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

 

(xvi)      The project proponent shall obtain necessary prior permission/NOC of the competent authorities for drawl of requisite quantity of water required for the project.

 

(xvii)   The project proponent shall practice suitable rainwater harvesting measures on long term basis and work out a detailed scheme for rainwater harvesting in consultation with the Central Groundwater Authority and submit a copy of the same to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office, Bhubneswar.

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(xviii) Vehicular emissions shall be kept under control and regularly monitored. Measures shall be taken for maintenance of vehicles used in mining operations and in transportation of mineral. The mineral transportation shall be carried out through the covered trucks only and the vehicles carrying the mineral shall not be overloaded. No transportation of ore outside the mine lease area shall be carried out after the sunset. 

 

(xix)      No blasting shall be carried out after the sunset. Blasting operation shall be carried out only during the daytime. Controlled blasting shall be practiced. The mitigative measures for control of ground vibrations and to arrest fly rocks and boulders should be implemented. 

 

(xx)        Drills shall either be operated with the dust extractors or equipped with water injection system.    

 

(xxi)      Mineral handling area shall be provided with adequate number of high efficiency dust extraction system. Loading and unloading areas including all the transfer points should also have efficient dust control arrangements. These should be properly maintained and operated.

 

(xxii)   Sewage treatment plant shall be installed for the colony. ETP shall also be provided for the workshop and wastewater generated during the mining operation.

 

(xxiii) Effective safeguard measures should be taken to control fugitive emissions so as to ensure that RSPM (PM10) levels are within prescribed limits. 

 

(xxiv) Pre-placement medical examination and periodical medical examination of the workers engaged in the project shall be carried out and records maintained. For the purpose, schedule of health examination of the workers should be drawn and followed accordingly.

 

(xxv)    The project proponent shall take all precautionary measures during mining operation for conservation and protection of endangered flora and endangered fauna namely elephant, sloth bear, python etc. in the study area fauna found in the study area. Action plan for conservation of flora and fauna prepared shall be implemented in consultation with the State Forest and Wildlife Department. All the safeguard measures brought out in the Wildlife Conservation Plan prepared specific to this project site shall be effectively implemented. Necessary allocation of funds for implementation of the conservation plan shall be made and the funds so allocated shall be included in the project cost. A copy of action plan shall be submitted to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Bhubaneswar.

 

(xxvi) Provision shall be made for the housing of construction labour within the site  with  all  necessary  infrastructure  and  facilities  such  as  fuel  for

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cooking, mobile toilets, mobile STP, safe drinking water, medical health care, crèche etc. The housing may be in the form of temporary structures to be removed after the completion of the project.

 

(xxvii)           The critical parameters such as RSPM (Particulate matter with size less than 10micron i.e., PM10) and  NOX  in the ambient air within the impact zone, peak particle velocity at 300m distance or within the nearest habitation, whichever is closer shall be monitored periodically . Further, quality of discharged water shall also be monitored [(TDS, DO, PH and Total Suspended Solids (TSS)]. The monitored data shall be uploaded on the website of the company as well as displayed on a display board at the project site at a suitable location near the main gate of the Company in public domain. The Circular No. J-20012/1/2006-IA.II(M) dated 27.05.2009 issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests, which is available on the website of the Ministry www.envfor.nic.in shall also be referred in this regard for its compliance.

 

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

         

B.      General conditions

 

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

 

(ii)            No change in the calendar plan including excavation, quantum of mineral iron ore and manganese ore and waste should be made.

 

(iii)          Atleast four ambient air quality-monitoring stations should be established in the core zone as well as in the buffer zone for RSPM (Particulate matter with size less than 10micron i.e., PM10) and NOX monitoring.  Location of the stations should be decided based on the meteorological data, topographical features and environmentally and ecologically sensitive targets and frequency of monitoring should be undertaken in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

 

(iv)          Data on ambient air quality [(RSPM(Particulate matter with size less than 10micron i.e., PM10) and NOX] should be regularly submitted to the Ministry including its Regional office located at Bhubaneswar and the State Pollution Control Board / Central Pollution Control Board once in six months.   

 

(v)             Fugitive dust emissions from all the sources should be controlled regularly. Water spraying arrangement on haul roads, loading and unloading and at transfer points should be provided and properly maintained.

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(vi)          Measures should be taken for control of noise levels below 85 dBA in the work environment. Workers engaged in operations of HEMM, etc. should be provided with ear plugs / muffs.

 

(vii)        Industrial waste water (workshop and waste water 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. Oil and grease trap should be installed before discharge of workshop effluents.

 

(viii)     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 program of the workers should be undertaken periodically to observe any contractions due to exposure to dust and take corrective measures, if needed.

 

(ix)          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 Organization.

               

(x)             The funds earmarked for environmental protection measures should be kept in separate account and should not be diverted for other purpose. Year wise expenditure should be reported to the Ministry and its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar.

               

(xi)          The project authorities should inform to the Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar regarding date of financial closures and final approval of the project by the concerned authorities and the date of start of land development work.

                  

(xii)        The Regional Office of this Ministry located at Bhubaneswar shall monitor compliance of the stipulated conditions. The project authorities should extend full cooperation to the officer (s) of the Regional Office by furnishing the requisite data / information / monitoring reports.

 

(xiii)     The project proponent shall submit six monthly reports on the status of compliance of the stipulated environmental clearance conditions including results of monitored data (both in hard copies as well as by e-mail) to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, its Regional Office Bhubneswar, the respective Zonal Office of Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Board. The proponent shall upload the status of compliance of the environmental clearance conditions, including results of monitored data on their website and shall update the same periodically. It shall simultaneously be sent to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Bhubneswar, the respective

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Zonal Officer of Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Board.

 

(xiv)      A copy of the clearance letter shall be sent by the proponent to concerned Panchayat, Zila Parisad/ Municipal Corporation, Urban Local Body and the Local NGO, if any, from whom suggestions/ representations, if any, were received while processing the proposal. The clearance letter shall also be put on the website of the Company by the proponent.

               

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

 

(xvi)      The environmental statement for each financial year ending 31st March in Form-V as is mandated to be submitted by the project proponent to the concerned State Pollution Control Board as prescribed under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, as amended subsequently, shall also  be  put  on the   website of the company along with the status of compliance of environmental clearance conditions and shall also be sent to the respective Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Bhubneswar by e-mail.   

 

(xvii)   The project authorities should advertise at least in two local newspapers widely circulated, one of which shall be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned, within 7 days of the issue 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 also at web site of the Ministry of Environment and Forests at  http://envfor.nic.in and a copy of the same should be forwarded to the Regional Office of this Ministry located at Bhubaneswar.

 

7.     The Ministry or any other competent authority may alter/modify the above conditions or stipulate any further condition in the interest of environment protection.

 

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

 

9.     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 made thereunder and also any other orders passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India/ High Court of Orissa and any other Court of Law relating to the subject matter. 

 

 

(SATISH C. GARKOTI)

Scientist ‘F’

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Copy to:

(i)               The Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

 

(ii)            The Secretary, Department of Environment, Government of Orissa, Secretariat, Bhubaneswar.

 

(iii)          The Secretary, Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Orissa, Secretariat, Bhubaneswar.

 

(iv)          The Secretary, Department of Forests, Government of Orissa, Secretariat, Bhubaneswar.

 

(v)             The Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar.

 

(vi)          The Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, Parivesh Bhawan,             CBD-cum-Office Complex, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi-110032.

 

(vii)        The Chief Conservator of Forests, Regional Office (EZ), Ministry                    of Environment and Forests, A-3 Chandrashekharpur, Bhubaneshwar-751023.

 

(viii)     The Chairman, Orissa State Pollution Control Board, Parivesh Bhawan, A/118 Nilakantha Nagar, Unit-VIII, Bhubaneshwar-751012.

 

(ix)          The Member Secretary, Central Ground Water Authority, A2, W3 Curzon Road Barracks, K.G. Marg, New Delhi-110001.                                   

 

(x)             The District Collector, District Sundergarh, Government of Orissa. 

 

(xi)          EI Division, Ministry of Environment & Forests, EI Division, New Delhi.

 

(xii)        Monitoring File.

 

(xiii)     Guard File.

 

(xiv)      Record File.

(SATISH C. GARKOTI)

Scientist ‘F’

 

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