Ministry of Environment & Forests (MOEF)

No.J-11015/39/2007-IA.II(M)

Paryavaran Bhawan,

C.G.O.Complex, Lodi Road

New Delhi -110003.

To

Dated: 23^rd May 2012

General Manager,

M/s Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corp. Ltd.,

Sona Khan Bhawan,

Ring Road No.1, Gram Purena,

PO Ravigram,

RAIPUR – 492006, Chhattisgarh.

Sub: Tara Opencast Coal Mine Project (6 MTPA in 1801.31 ha revised ML area) of M/s Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corp. Ltd. located in Hasdeo Arand Coalfields in villages, Tara, Kantaroli and Janardanpur, dist. Sarguja, Chhattsigarh - Environmental clearance – reg.

Sir,

This is with reference to letter No. Nil dated 16.01.2007 along with application for Terms of Reference (TOR) for a new Tara Opencast Coalmine Project of 6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) production capacity and this Ministry’s letter dated 13.04.2008 granting the TOR and your letter No. 642/CMDC/Coal/2009-10 dated 11.09.2009 for environmental clearance and subsequent letters dated 15.01.2010, 23.02.2010, 11.07.2011, 15.12.2011, 24.02.2012 and 01.03.2012, 06.03.2012 and 27.04.2012. In addition, letter No. F 5-61/2008/10-2 dated 25.05.2009 of the Secretary, Forest Dept., Government of Chhattisgarh, letter No. /Land Management/Khajin/11/117 dated 14.01.2009 and dated 24.04.2012 of Office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Land Management), Government of Chhattisgarh have also been received. The Ministry of Environment & Forests has considered the application. It is noted that the proposal is for opening a new Tara Opencast Coal Mine project of 6 MTPA production capacity in a total project area of 1801.31 ha located in Hasdeo-Arand Coalfields in district Sarguja, Chhattisgarh. The end-use of the coal from Tara Coalmine Project is for 2x660 MW Thermal Power Plant proposed to be located at Premnagar Tehsil, District Sarguja, Chhattsigarh at a distance of about 6km from the mine. The mine is located in the fringe of Hasdeo-Arand Coalfields. There are no ecologically sensitive areas such as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Tiger Reserves. However, a number of PFs found in the study area such as Chandannagar PF, Chirwan PF, Murgaon PF, Gumga PF, Matringa PF, Ghatbarra PF, Paturiya PF, Pidiya, Dhajag, Phatepur PF and RF form a part of rich forests of 0.2-0.7 density consisting of Sal, Mahua, Tendu trees. An integrated Site specific Wildlife Management Plan prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for Rs 12.26 crores allocated for 10 years of projects life for ‘Tara Wild Life Habitat & Conservation Plan’ includes identification of bear habitat, and denning sites in buffer zone around Ramgarh Basin, preservation of denning sites in natural habitat, plantation of tree species such as Mahua, Tendu, Pipal, census and monitoring of panther and sloth bear population, awareness and education among local people, etc. The ML area is drained by number of small streams (which would be excavated during the mine operations) which join Garjan nala in the north and another nala in south–eastern part of the block and join River Atem at a distance of 5.5 km, flowing in south-eastern part of the buffer zone. Grade of coal is mainly E. No beneficiation is proposed.

The total revised mine lease (ML) area is 1801.31 ha consisting 1022.94 ha of forestland, 301.44 ha of forestland consisting of Chote-Bhare Jhar ke Jungle and the balance 476.93 ha is tenancy land of which 54.54 ha is being used for agricultural purpose. Stage–I Forestry Clearance has been obtained for 1324.38 ha, vide letter no.F.no.8-38/2009-FC dated 05.07. 2011. Of the total revised ML area, 1364 ha is quarry area, 111.22 ha of one external OB dump (consisting of 22.42 ha of tenancy land, 44.75 ha of revenue forest land and 44.05 ha is PF land), 33.56 ha is for infrastructure including CHP and ETP, 14 ha is for approach roads, 68 ha is area left undisturbed along mine periphery and 210.53 ha is vacant land (undisturbed). A 6 MTPA CHP is proposed. The coal is to be transported to the linked TPP through overhead conveyors only.

A feasibility study of various mining technologies has been conducted and mechanised opencast mining using shovel-dumper is the preferred option. Ultimate working depth is 150m bgl. Water level is in the range of 6-12m during pre-monsoon and in the range of 1-7m bgl during post-monsoon. Total estimated water requirement for the project is 1110.50 m3/d, of which 475.5 m3/d is (which includes reuse of 72 m3/d of water from workshop and ETP) for mine operations and the balance 635 m3/d is for the colony and peripheral villages. The main source of water is mine pit water and rainwater collected in the mine sump. Of the total estimated OB generation of 1116.20 Mm3 during the life of the project, an estimated 1065.68 Mm3 of OB would be backfilled raising the height to 80-110m above ground level and the balance 50.52 Mm3 generated during the initial 5 years of mine operation would be stored in one external OB dump of a max. height of 60m in an area of 111.22 ha. At the post mining stage, of the total quarry area, an area of 1304.84 ha would be backfilled and reclaimed and a water body of 59.19 ha would be left. In addition, an area of 68 ha developed as green belt, 111.22 ha of reclaimed OB dumps, and 33.53 ha of infrastructure (decommissioned) would be developed with plantation using native species and afforested at the post-mining stage. There are 3 villages in the core zone with 397 households and 2172 persons including 94 land losers –Tara (1461) and Kantaroli (531) and Janardanpur (131), who require to be rehabilitated. An R&R Plan has been prepared. Life of the mine at the rated capacity of 6 MTPA is 25 years. Revised Mining Plan was approved by Ministry of Coal on 26.04.2012. Public Hearing was held on 12.02.2009. Capital cost of the project is Rs 1784.16 crores.

2. The Ministry of Environment & Forests hereby accords environmental clearance for the above-mentioned Tara Opencast Coalmine Project of 6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) production capacity in a total ML area of 1801.31 ha of M/s Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corp. Ltd. located in Hasdeo Arand Coalfields, dist. Sarguja, Chhattsigarh under the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 and subsequent amendments thereto and Circulars there under subject to the compliance of the terms and conditions mentioned below:

A. Specific Conditions

(i) The maximum production of Tara Opencast Mine Project shall not exceed 6 MTPA production capacity.

(ii) Transportation of raw coal from the mine to CHP and thereafter to the pit head TPP shall be by closed overhead belt conveyors only.

(iii) The drainage of River Atem outside the project area shall not be disturbed through construction of embankment or by diversion of nalas.

(iv) Topsoil shall be stacked properly within the dump area with proper slope at earmarked site(s) and shall be used concurrently for reclamation and development of green belt within a year of its generation.

(v) Sequencing of OB dumping (external and internal) shall be done. OB shall be stacked at earmarked external OB dumpsite of 111.22 ha within ML area and shall be a maximum height of 60m. The ultimate slope of the dump shall not exceed 28^o. Monitoring and management of existing reclaimed dumpsites 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 yearly basis.

(vi) 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.

(vii) 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 be provided for adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material.

(viii) 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.

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

(x) 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, haulage roads, transfer points, etc. Hoppers of the coal crushing unit and washery unit shall be fitted with high efficiency bag filters and mist spray water sprinkling system shall be installed and operated effectively at all times of operation to check fugitive emissions from crushing operations, transfer points, stockyards.

(xi) All approach roads shall be black topped and internal roads and major haul roads shall be black topped or concreted and swept regularly with mechanical sweepers. A 3-tier avenue plantation using local species shall be developed along the main roads, and approach roads to the mine. In addition, green belt shall be developed using local species all along the periphery of the site, along the areas such as the washery unit, crushing unit, and stockyards, which shall be properly maintained. Water sprinkling arrangements shall be established and functional during transfer and loading of coal.

(xii) A 50m green belt consisting of a 3-tier plantation using native species shall be developed along the north side of the ML to avoid siltation of OB from the external dumps into water bodies. A multi-tier forest ecosystem shall be developed in the safety zone in the initial 10 years.

(xiii) Cacti such as Opuntia shall not be used for mine reclamation. Species selected for mine reclamation and habitat restoration would be a mix of species found in Sal Forest ecosystem in the study area during the pre-mining phase.

(xiv) Proper records of survival and growth of the 70112 of plants (species-wise), les than 60m girth being transplanted in the safety zone/nearby degraded forest, shall be maintained and furnished as part of the Compliance Report on Mine Reclamation.

(xv) Area brought under afforestation shall include reclaimed external OB dump (111.22 ha), topsoil dump, backfilled area (1304.84 ha), along ML boundary, infrastructure area (33.53 ha), along roads, green belt (68 ha), in undisturbed areas/safety zone and in colony by planting native species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees shall be around 2500 plants per ha.

(xvi) A Progressive Mine Closure Plan shall be implemented by reclamation of 1304.84 ha of the total quarry area by backfilling and reclamation and by afforestation, to create a 3-storeyed forest in lieu of original forest, by planting native species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department/relevant institution. The density of the trees shall be around 2500 plants per ha. A Plan for OB dumping and management shall be prepared to reduce the height of the internal OB dump at the final stage to ground level. The balance 59.19 ha void left as a water body shall be gently sloped and the upper benches stabilised with grass and plantation.

(xvii) A Conservation Plan (in-situ and ex-situ) for endangered faunal species reported in the study area and for the medicinal plants found in and around the project area shall be prepared in consultation with Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun within 4 months from date of environmental clearance and the Plan shall be implemented in consultation with the State Forest and Wildlife Departments. An in-situ conservatory of species found in the pre-mining original ecosystem and rare and endangered plant species including medicinal plants species found in the study area during pre-mining phase shall be established and species reintroduced during mine reclamation and habitat restoration. The Conservation Plan shall include conservation of areas within the project boundary to be left undisturbed as free passageways for the wildlife to reach the forests in the study area. The Conservation Plan shall also include activities of mine reclamation and wildlife habitat restoration of mined out areas within the core zone and project area using native species representative of the forest ecosystem during the pre-mining phase. Separate funds of Rs. 12.26 crores as capital costs shall be earmarked for implementation of the various activities under the Conservation Plan. The status of the Conservation Plan including expenditure (capital and revenue) shall be reported once a year as part of the monitoring report to this Ministry and to the MOEF Regional Office, Bhopal. The proponent shall also participate in the Regional Wildlife Conservation Plan (RWLCP) for the study area prepared by the State Wildlife Dept. and in addition to the above funds shall also contribute financially for implementation of the RWLCP. Habitat development/conservation measures along the migratory route/habitats of elephants found/visiting the area shall form a part of the Regional Action Plan.

(xviii) No groundwater shall be used for the mine operations except for drinking purpose and during the initial years of mine operation. Any additional water requirement envisaged for mine operations shall be obtained from mine pit water, by recycle/reuse to the maximum extent and from rainwater harvesting measures.

(xix) No fly ash from the linked TPPs shall be used in backfilling of the decoled void without undertaking an environmental feasibility study and without prior approval of this Ministry under EIA Notification, 2006.

(xx) 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 and in monsoon. 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.

(xxi) The Company shall put up artificial groundwater recharge measures including rainwater harvesting structures for augmentation of groundwater resource in case monitoring indicates decline in water table. The project authorities shall meet water requirement of nearby village(s) in case the village wells go dry due to dewatering of mine.

(xxii) ETP shall also be provided for workshop, and CHP. Effluents shall be treated to conform to prescribed standards, particularly for pH and TSS in case of discharge into any watercourse within or outside the lease.

(xxiii) An STP shall be provided for the township/colony to treat the domestic effluents to prescribed standards and for their reuse in project activities.

(xxiv) Industrial wastewater (workshop and wastewater from the washery) shall be properly collected, treated so as to conform to the standards prescribed under GSR 422 (E) dated 19^th May 1993 and 31^st December 1993 or as amended from time to time before discharge. Oil and grease trap shall be installed for treatment of workshop effluents. Moniotring of water quality at points of discharfge and surface waters

(xxv) R&R Plan prepared for the 3 villages in the core zone with 397 households and 2172 persons including 94 land losers –Tara (1461) and Kantaroli (531) and Janardanpur (131) shall be implemented within an agreed time-frame and shall be not less than the norms laid down/approval by the State Government and shall not be inferior than that in the National R&R Policy and shall be completed within a specified time-frame. R&R shall include specific income generation schemes and setting up of SHGs and cooperatives, and activities and assistance under the Tribal development Plan for the tribals being displaced and provision of annuities for the under-privileged sections. The provision also includes a Corpus Fund for the maintenance of the Resettlement site. The status of the implementation of the R&R Plan along with financial status of the activities undertaken shall be uploaded on the company website and updated at least once in a year.

(xxvi) The proponent shall implement activities undertaken under CSR for neighbouring villages in the study area for the life of the project. The activities shall include establishing/ strengthening of schools roads, drainage and sanitation, community halls, drinking water in the villages and skill development of the local communities. The CSR Plan shall also include Tribal Welfare activities for the tribals and their skill development for alternate livelihood and addressing issues such as availability of minor forest produce for the tribal/local communities. The details of the activities and expenditure made thereon in each of the villages taken up under CSR shall be displayed on the company’s website and updated at least once in six months. The socio-economic development of the villages shall be monitored over the life of the project using indices such as the UNDP Human Development Index.

(xxvii) 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.

(xxviii) A Final Mine Closure Plan along with details of Corpus Fund shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests for approval 5 years in advance of final mine closure for approval. The Plan shall include habitat restoration of the project area consisting of a 3-storeyed forest ecosystem, using a mix of native species found in the pre-mining ecosystem in the study area.

(xxix) A dedicated team drawn from disciplines of ecology, wildlife, sociology, hydrology, etc shall be engaged over the life of the project for implementation of Wildlife Conservation Plan, R&R and CSR Plan and for progressive and final mine closure plan and issues of habitat restoration.

B. General Conditions

(i) No change in 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 being produced 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 PM₁₀, PM_2.5, 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 the particulate matter etc. shall be carried out at least once in six months.

(iv) Data on ambient air quality (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂ and NOx.) and heavy metals such as Hg, As, Ni, Cr, etc) and other monitoring data 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, and treated so as to conform to the standards including for heavy metals before discharge prescribed under GSR 422 (E) dated 19^th May 1993 and 31^st December 1993 or as amended from time to time. Oil and grease trap shall be installed before discharge of workshop effluents.

(vii) Vehicular emissions shall be kept under control and regularly monitored.

(viii) 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.

(ix) 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.

(x) 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.

(xi) 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.

(xii) 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

(xiii) A copy of the environmental clearance letter shall be marked to concerned Panchayat/Zila Parishad, Municipal Corporation or Urban Local Body and 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.

(xiv) 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.

(xv) The clearance letter shall be uploaded on the company’s website. 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) and critical pollutants such as PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO_x (ambient and stack if any) and critical sectoral parameters shall also be displayed at the entrance of the project premises and mines office and in corporate office and on the company’s website.

(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.

(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 31^st 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. DG (F) and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi.

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

4. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and CWLW, Govt. of Chhattisgarh, Raipur.

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

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

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

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

9. District Collector, Sarguja, Government of Chhattisgarh.

10. Monitoring File 11. Guard File 12. Record File.

(Dr.T.Chandini)

Director