No.
J-11015/279/2009-IA.II(M)
Government
of
Ministry
of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran
Bhawan,
CGO
Complex,
New
Delhi-110510.
To
Dated: 23rd
November 2009
Dr. B.J.
Prasad,
Addl.
General Manager,
M/s NTPC,
Engineering
complex, A-8A, Sector-24,
NOIDA-201301.
Sub: Talaipalli Coal Mine Project (OC at 20 MTPA capacity and UG at
0.72 MTPA in 2173 ha) of M/s NTPC located in Mand-Raigarh, Tehsil Gharghoda, District
Raigarh, Chhattisgarh - Terms of Reference
(TOR) – reg.
Sir,
This is with reference to consideration
of the aforesaid proposal in the EAC (T&C) meeting held on 28th
–29th October 2009 wherein it was informed that the project is for
opening a new OC-cum-UG mine in a total project area of 2173 ha of which the ML
area is 2173 ha and a colony of 60ha is outside the lease area. It was informed
that the project was originally planned for a peak production of 25 MTPA,
however, it has been decided to consider the project for a maximum rated
capacity of 20 MTPA only. In addition, an MGR corridor for mineral
transportation to the linked TPP would also be developed. The Block was
allotted in Jan. 2006 and the block had not been fully explored. It is now
proposed to undertake OC by conventional shovel-dumper mining for a peak
capacity of 20 MTPA and UG mining for 0.72 MTPA. It was informed that a dedicated railway line
from mine to linked TPP of 4000 MW capacity located at a distance of about 60km
by MGR and by Rapid Loading System. Grade of coal is E-G. River Kelo flows
along the eastern boundary of the ML. A number of first order/second order
streams originate from the ML. It is proposed to construct an embankment (which
is proposed at a height of 10m above the HFL of the river) along River Kelo and
keep a safe distance between the
The Committee desired that the detailed
land use of the project area should be provided with extent of agr. land,
forestland, and tribal land, if any, being acquired. The Committee desired that
a minimum safe distance of 100m should be maintained from the embankment. The
Committee desired project specific details of R&R and CSR. The Committee
noted that the secondary data furnished with the application indicated presence
of a number of Schedule-I fauna such as the Indian Elephant and Bear and
desired that a project specific WL Conservation Plan should be prepared and
comments of the State Govt. (CWLW) also obtained for consideration of EC. The
Committee also desired that Pumping Test should be carried out as part of the
Hydrogeology study. Mine reclamation and Habitat Restoration Plan should
include reclamation of the original
Based on the application along with documents and presentation thereon
and discussions held, the Committee prescribed the following TOR:
(i)
An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for 20
MTPA rated capacity in an ML/project area of 2173 ha based on the
generic structure specified in Appendix III of the EIA Notification 2006.
(ii)
An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for 20 MTPA
rated capacity cover the impacts and management plan for the project specific
activities on the environment of the region, and the environmental quality –
air, water, land, biotic community, etc. through collection of data and
information, generation of data on impacts including prediction modelling for 20 MTPA
of coal production based on approval of project/Mining Plan for 20 MTPA. Baseline
data collection can be for any season except monsoon.
(iii)
A map specifying locations of the State, District and
Project location.
(iv)
A Study area map of the core zone and 10km area of the
buffer zone (1: 50,000 scale) clearly delineating the major topographical
features such as the land use, surface drainage of rivers/streams/nalas/canals,
locations of human habitations, major constructions including railways, roads,
pipelines, major industries/mines and other polluting sources. In case of
ecologically sensitive areas such as Biosphere Reserves/National Parks/WL
Sanctuaries/ Elephant Reserves, forests (Reserved/Protected), migratory
corridors of fauna, and areas
where
endangered fauna and plants of medicinal and economic importance found in the
15 km area of the buffer zone should be given.
(v) Land use
map (1: 50,000 scale) based on a recent satellite imagery of the study area may
also be provided with explanatory note of the land use. Satellite imagery per
se is not required.
(vi) Map showing
the core zone delineating the agricultural land (irrigated and unirrigated,
uncultivable land (as defined in the revenue records), forest areas (as per
records), along with other physical features such as water bodies, etc should
be furnished.
(vii) A contour map showing the area drainage
of the core zone and 2-5 km of the buffer zone (where the watercourses of the
core zone ultimately join the major rivers/streams outside the lease/project
area) should also be clearly indicated as a separate map.
(viii) A detailed
Site plan of the mine showing the various proposed break-up of the land for
mining operations such as the quarry area, OB dumps, green belt, safety zone,
buildings, infrastructure, CHP, ETP, Stockyard, township/colony (within and
adjacent to the ML), undisturbed area and if any, in topography such as
existing roads, drains/natural water bodies are to be left undisturbed along
with any natural drainage adjoining the lease /project and modification of
thereof in terms of construction of embankments/bunds, proposed
diversion/rechannelling of the water courses, etc., approach roads, major haul
roads, etc.
In case of any proposed
diversion of nallah/canal/river, the proposed route of diversion/modification
of drainage and their realignment, construction of embankment etc. should also
be shown on the map.
Similarly if the project
involves diversion of any road/railway line passing through the ML/project
area, the proposed route of diversion and its realignment should be shown.
(ix) Break up of lease/project area as per
different land uses and their stage of acquisition. The Committee desired that the detailed land use of
the project area should be provided with extent of agr. land, forestland, and
tribal land, if any, being acquired.
(x) Break-up of lease/project area as per
mining operations.
(xi) Impact of changes in the land use due to
the start of the projects if much of the land being acquired is agricultural
land/forestlnad/grazing land.
(xii) Collection of one-season (non-monsoon)
primary baseline data on environmental quality - air (SPM, RSPM, SOx , NOx and
heavy metals such as Hg, Pb, Cr, As, etc), noise, water (surface and
groundwater), soil.
(xiii) Map of the study area (1: 50, 000
scale) (core and buffer zone clearly
delineating the location of various stations superimposed with location of
habitats, other industries/mines, polluting sources. The number and location of
the stations in both core zone and buffer zone should be selected on the basis
of size of lease/project area, the proposed impacts in the downwind
(air)/downstream (surface water)/groundwater regime (based on flow). One
station should be in the upwind/upstream/non-impact/non-polluting area as a
control station. The monitoring should be as per CPCB guidelines and parameters
for water testing for both ground water and surface water as per ISI standards
and CPCB classification wherever applicable.
(xiv) Study on the existing flora and fauna in
the study area (10km) carried out by an institution of relevant discipline and
the list of flora and fauna duly authenticated separately for the core and
buffer zone and a statement clearly specifying whether the study area forms a
part of the migratory corridor of any endangered fauna. If the
study area has endangered flora and fauna, or if the project falls within 15 km
of an ecologically sensitive area, then a comprehensive Conservation Plan
should be prepared and furnished along with comments from the CWLW of the State
Govt.
(xv) Details of mineral reserves, geological
status of the study are and the seams to be worked, ultimate working depth and
progressive stage-wise working scheme until end of mine life should be
reflected on the basis of the approved rated capacity and calendar plans of
production from the approved Mining Plan. Geological maps and sections should
be included. The progressive mine development and final mine
closure plan should also be shown in figures.
(xvi)
Details of mining methods, technology, equipment to be
used, etc., rationale for selection of that technology and equipment proposed
to be used vis-à-vis the potential impacts.
(xvii) Impact
of mining on hydrology, modification of natural drainage, diversion and
channelling of the existing rivers/water courses flowing though the ML and
adjoining the lease/project and the impact on the existing users and impacts of
mining operations thereon. The Committee desired that a
minimum safe distance of 100m should be maintained from the embankment.
(xviii) Detailed water balance should be provided.
The break up of water requirement for the various mine operations should be
given separately.
(xix) Source of
water for use in mine, sanction of the competent authority in the State Govt.
and impacts vis-à-vis the competing users.
(xx) Impact of mining, ground water
abstraction & use on the hydrogeology and groundwater regime within the
core zone and 10 km buffer zone. The study should be supported by long term
data and modelling studies. Details of ground water monitoring plan and
rainwater harvesting/ measures for recharge of groundwater should be provided
in case the study area does not fall in “ Safe Catagory”. The
Committee also desired that Pumping Test should be carried out as part of the
Hydrogeology study.
(xxi) Impact of blasting, noise and vibrations.
(xxii) Impacts of mining on the AAQ, predictive
modelling using the ISCST-3 (Revised) or latest model.
(xxiii)
Impacts of mineral transportation – within and outside the
lease/project along with flow-chart indicating the specific areas generating
fugitive emissions. Impacts of transportation, handling, transfer of mineral
and waste on air quality, generation of effluents from workshop, management
plan for maintenance of HEMM, machinery, equipment. Details of various facilities
to be provided in terms of parking, rest areas, canteen, and
effluents/pollution load from these activities.
(xxiv)
Details of waste generation – OB, topsoil – as per the
approved calendar programme, and their management shown in figures as well
explanatory chapter with tables giving progressive development and mine closure
plan, green belt development, backfilling programme and conceptual post mining
land use.
(xxv)
Impact and management of wastes and issues of rehandling
and backfilling and progressive mine closure and reclamation.
(xxvi) Flow chart of water balance. Treatment of
effluents from workshop, township, domestic wastewater, mine water discharge,
etc. Details of STP in colony and ETP in mine. Recycling of water to the max.
possible extent.
(xxx)
Occupational health issues. Baseline data on the health of
the population in the impact zone and measures for occupational health and
safety of the personnel and manpower for the mine.
(xxx)
Disaster Management Plan.
(xxx)
Integrating in the Env. Management Plan with measures for
minimising use of natural resources – water, land, energy, etc.
(xxx)
Progressive Green belt and afforestation plan (both in
text, figures as well as in tables prepared by MOEF) and selection of species
(local) for the afforestation/plantation programme based on original survey/landuse.
(xxxi) Conservation Plan for the endangered/endemic
flora and fauna found in the study area and for safety of animals
visiting/residing in the study area and also those using the study area as a
migratory corridor. The
Committee noted that the secondary data furnished with the application
indicated presence of a number of Schedule-I fauna such as the Indian Elephant
and Bear and desired that a project specific WL Conservation Plan should be
prepared and comments of the State Govt. (CWLW) also obtained for consideration
of EC.
(xxxii) Final Mine closure issues, post mining land
use and restoration of land/habitat to pre- mining. A Plan
for the ecological restoration of the area post mining and for land use should
be prepared with detailed cost provisions. Mine
reclamation and Habitat Restoration Plan should include reclamation of the
original
(xxxiii) Including cost of EMP (capital and recurring)
in the project cost and for progressive and final mine closure plan.
(xxxiv) The
Committee desired project specific details of R&R and CSR. Detailed project
specific R&R Plan with data on the existing socio-economic status of the
population (including tribals, SC/ST, BPL families) found in the study area and
broad plan for resettlement of the displaced population, site for the
resettlement colony, alternate livelihood concerns/employment for the displaced
people, civic and housing amenities being offered, etc and costs along with the
schedule of the implementation of the R&R Plan.
(xxxv) Public Hearing
should cover the details of notices issued in the newspaper,
proceedings/minutes of public hearing, the points raised by the general public
and commitments made by the proponent should be presented in a tabular form. If
the Public Hearing is in the regional language, an authenticated English
Translation of the same should be provided.
(xxxvi)
In built mechanism of self-monitoring of compliance of
environmental regulations.
(xxxvii) Status of any litigations/ court cases
filed/pending on the project.
(xxxviii) Submission of sample test
analysis of:
Characteristics
of coal - this includes grade of coal and other characteristics – ash, S and
heavy metals including levels of Hg, As, Pb, Cr etc.
(xxxix)
Copy of clearances/approvals – such as Forestry clearances, Mining Plan
Approval, NOC from Flood and Irrigation Dept. (if req.), etc.
The following general
points should be noted:
(i) All documents should be properly
indexed, page numbered.
(ii) Period/date of data collection should be
clearly indicated.
(iii) Authenticated
English translation of all material provided in Regional languages.
(iv) After the preparation of the draft
EIA-EMP Report as per the aforesaid TOR, the proponent shall get the Public
Hearing conducted as prescribed in the EIA Notification 2006 and take necessary
action for obtaining environmental clearance under the provisions of the EIA
Notification 2006.
(v)
The letter/application for EC should quote the MOEF file
No. and also attach a copy of the letter prescribing the TOR.
(vi)
The copy of the letter received from the Ministry on the
TOR prescribed for the project should be attached as an annexure to the final
EIA-EMP Report.
(vii) The final EIA-EMP report submitted to the
Ministry must incorporate the issues in TOR and that raised in Public Hearing.
The index of the final EIA-EMP report, must indicate the specific chapter and
page no. of the EIA-EMP Report where the specific TOR prescribed by Ministry
and the issue raised in the P.H. have been incorporated. Mining Questionnaire (posted
on MOEF website) with all sections duly filled in shall also be submitted at
the time of applying for EC.
After the preparation of the draft EIA-EMP Report as
per the aforesaid TOR, and the public Hearing conducted as prescribed in the
EIA Notification 2006 and the proponent will take necessary action for
obtaining environmental clearance under provisions of the EIA Notification
2006.
The following
additional conditions are incorporated in the TOR letter:
(i) Grant of TOR does not necessarily mean
grant of EC.
(ii) Grant of TOR/EC does not mean clearance
from other regulations particularly from forest and wildlife angle.
(iii) Any costs entailed by the proponent on
the project are at his own risk and does not imply grant of EC and clearance
under other regulations.
Yours
faithfully,
(Dr.T.Chandini)
Director
Copy to: Chairman,
Chhattisgarh Environment, Conservation Board, 1-Tilak Nagar,Shiv Mandir Chowk,