No. J-11015/24/2008-IA.II(M)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhawan,

CGO Complex,

New Delhi-110510.

To

Dated: 17^th March 2008

M/s North Eastern Coalfields Ltd.,

P.O. Lekhapani,

Dist. Tinsukia, Assam.

Sub: Lekhapani OCP (0.25 MTPA) of M/s North Eastern Coalfields Ltd. located in Dist. Tinsukia, Assam- Terms of Reference (TOR) – reg.

Sir,

The undersigned is directed to refer to letter No. 43011-130-2007-CPAM of Ministry of Coal dated 10.01.2008 regarding the subject mentioned above, which was considered in the EAC (T&C) meeting held on 26^th –27^th Feb. 2008. It was noted that the proposal is for establishing a opencast coal mine project of 0.25 MTPA capacity over a land area of235 ha in Makum coalfields, in Tinsukia District, Assam. Grade of coal is ‘A’. Of the total lease area of 235 ha, area for quarry is 80 ha, haul roads, power supply arrangements is 15 ha, external OB dumps is 120 ha, and Coal stock yard, office and infrastructure including ETP is 10 ha, approach road si 10 ha. Life of mine at 0.25 MTPA rated capacity is 23 years. An estimated 69 Mm3 of OB would be generated over life of mine. It is proposed to have OB dumps of a max. of 120m.

The Committee desired that the application (Form-I) should be filled again and submitted as many details such as break up of the land area in terms of land use (agr. land/forestland/wasteland/etc.), distance from ecologically sensitive areas, etc has not bene provided. Detailed toposheet giving the land use features should also be provided. The proponent may also examine if UG mining can be carried out instead of OC mining. The matter of having OB dumps of heights of 120m cannot be permitted in hilly terrains and hence the entire OB and dump management requires to be relooked. Since the area has presence of pyrite bearing rocks, the aspect of acid mine drainage would require to be studies as part of hydrogeology studies.

The Committee after deliberations decided that the TOR should be granted only upon receipt of the refilled Form-I with all relevant sections and details filled in.

We await your response in the matter.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr.T.Chandini)

Director

(i) An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for 0.25 MTPA rated capacity based on the generic structure specified in Appendix III of the EIA Notification 2006.

(ii) An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for 0.25 MTPA rated capacity based on 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 0.25 MTPA of coal production based on approval of project/Mining Plan for 0.25 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 clearly delineating the major topographical features such as the land use, 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 are found in the area, surface drainage of rivers/streams/nalas/canals, locations of human habitations, major constructions including railways, roads, pipelines, major industries/mines and other polluting sources..

(v) Land use map (1: 50,000 or 100,000 scale) based on a recent satellite imagery of the study area may also be provided with explanatory note of the land use.

(vi) Map showing the core zone delineating the agricultural land (irrigated and irrigated, uncultivable land (as defined in the revenue records), forest areas (as per records).

(vii) Contour map of 3m intervals and 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 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.

(viii) Break up of lease area as per different land uses and their stage of acquisition.

(ix) Break-up of lease area as per mining operations.

(x) Impact of changes in the land use due to the start of the project since part of the land being acquired is forestland and agr. land.

(xi) Collection of one-season (non-monsoon) primary base-line data on environmental quality - air (SPM, RPM, SOx and NOx), noise, water (surface and groundwater), soil.

(xii) Map of the study area (core and buffer zone clearly delineating the location of various stations superimposed with location of habitats, other industries/mines, pouting sources. The number and location of the stations in both core zone should be selected on the basis size of lease 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 as per ISI and surface water as per CPCB guidelines.

(xiii) 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 should be included.

(xiv) 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. The use of surface miner/rock breaker to be examined to eliminate drilling ad blasting operations.

(xv) Study on the existing flora and fauna in the study area 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. Study on the existing flora and fauna in the study area 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 10km of an ecologically sensitive area, then a comprehensive Conservation Plan should be prepared and furnished along with comments form the CWLW of the State Govt. The Plan must incorporate dedicated corridors for movement of elephants within the region.

(xvi) A detailed Area Drainage Study should be carried out and on impact of diversion of the nala on the surface hydrology studied. 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 and the impact on the existing users and impacts of mining operations thereon. Impact of construction of embankment on the surface hydrology of the area.

(xvii) Detailed water balance should be provided. The break up of water requirement for the mine should be given separately.

(xviii) Source of water for use in mine, sanction of the competent authority in the State Govt. and impacts vis-à-vis the competing users. Water req. estimated for drinking appeared to be high and requires to be reworked.

(xix) Impact of mining and water abstraction use in mine on the hydrogeology and groundwater regime studies with at least one pumping test to analyse the aquifer characteristics within the core zone and 10km buffer zone including long–term modelling. Details of rainwater harvesting and measures for recharge of groundwater should be reflected.

(xx) Impact of blasting, noise and vibrations. Examine if surface miner and/rock breaker could be used to avoid blasting.

(xxi) Impacts of mining on the AAQ, predictive modelling using the ISCT-3 (Revised) or latest model. Since the linked TPS is to be located within the 10 sq. m study area, the Committee desired that the AQIP Modelling should be carried for the integrated operation of the Coal Mine and the TPS at their peak capacity.

(xxii) Impacts of mineral transportation – within and outside the lease along with flow-chart indicating the specific areas generating fugitive emissions. Impacts of transportation by belt conveyors, 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.

(xxiii) 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. OB dump heights and terracing should based on slope stability studies with a max of 28^o angle as the ultimate slope. Sections of dumps (ultimate) (both longitudinal and cross section) with relation to the adjacent area should be shown.

(xxiv) Impact and management of wastes and issues of rehandling and backfilling as part of progressive mine closure and reclamation.

(xxv) 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.

(xxvi) Occupational health issues. Baseline data on the health of the population and measures for occupational health and safety of the personnel and manpower for the mine and TPP.

(xxvii) Disaster Management Plan and risk assessment.

(xxviii) Integrating in the Env. Management Plan with measures for minimising use of natural resources – water, land, energy, etc.

(xxix) Progressive Green belt and afforestation plan (both in text, figures as well as in tables prepared by MOEF). Selection of species (local) for the afforestation/plantation programme base don original survey/landuse.

(xxx) Conceptual Final Mine Closure Plan with financial allocation including decommissioning and details of post-mining land use developments and for habitat restoration of land/habitat to pre-mining. Plant species should be native species and exotics should be avoided for habitat restoration.

(xxxi) Including cost of EMP (capital and recurring) in the project cost and for progressive and final mine closure plan.

(xxxii) Details of R&R. Detailed R&R Plan with data on the existing socio-economic status of the population 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 the schedule of the implementation of the R&R Plan.

(xxxiii) Detailed plan for socio-economic and welfare measures. The PP may explore establishment of cooperatives with some run by women involving enterprise/skills/resources of the local area and involving local communities.

(xxxiv) 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 in a tabular form. If the Public Hearing is in the regional language, an authenticated English Translation of the same should be provided.

(xxxv) In built mechanism of self monitoring of compliance of environmental regulations.

(xxxvi) Manpower req. was high and should be re-examined.

(xxxvii) Status of any litigations/ court cases filed/pending on the project.

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.

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.