No.
J-11015/10/2010- IA.II(M)
Government
of
Ministry
of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran
Bhawan,
CGO
Complex,
New
Delhi-110003.
Dated: 28th
May 2010
To
Chief
General Manager (Env.),
M/s
Bharat Coking Coal Ltd.,
Koyla
Bhawan, Dhanbad.
Sub: Cluster
XIV consisting of Lohappatty UG (0.03 mTPA with
a peak prodn. Of 0.039 MTPA), Lohapatty OC Mine (0.375 MTPA with a peak
prodn. Of 0.487 MTPA) of M/s Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. in Jharia Coalfields Ltd., dist. Dhanbad,
Jharkhand (TOR)
Sir,
This is with reference to your
aforesaid application and its consideration in the EAC (T&C) meeting held
on 22nd -23rd March 2010. It was informed that the
application is for lease renewal of the existing Lohapatty UG and for opening a
new Lohapatty OC mine for a brief period of 20 months at a peak production
capacity of 0.487 MTPA to mine the outcropped coal reserves in 35.63 ha of the
total ML area of 1577.22 ha, which are susceptible to illegal mining.
|
S.N. |
Name of the Mine |
Status |
Production Capacity
(in MTPA) |
ML Area (in ha) |
|
|
Nominal |
Peak |
||||
|
1. |
Lohapatty UG Mine |
Operating |
0.03 |
0.039 |
|
|
2. |
Lohapatty OC Mine |
New |
0.375 |
0.487 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
0.405 |
0.526 |
1577.22 |
|
Of the total ML area of
1577.22 ha, 1124.95 ha is agricultural land (fallow) and 59.26 ha is
forestland. FC has been applied for. Lohapatty UG would have
a peak production of 0.039 MTPA and mining will cover the entire ML area of
1577.22 ha. The ML is bounded in the west by River Jamunia and in the South by
River Damodar, of which agriculture land is 1089.32 ha,
forest land 59.26 ha, barren land is 53.62ha, water bodies is 77.89, homestead
land 232.57 ha, infrastructure land11.93 ha, and there are two OB dumps – OB-I
of 4.70 ha and OB-II of 12.30 ha. There are villages/habitation within the ML
which are to be shifted under Jharia Action Plan. The R&R would be
completed in 2017 and thereafter a separate project would be drawn up for the
locked up reserves for which exploration is going on. It was informed that a Task Force has been
constituted to control illegal mining. At the end of 20 months after extraction
of the outcropped reserves, it is proposed to leave an area of 5 ha would be
left as a water body.
The Committee desired that the abandoned
quarries/mined out pits/voids left over form the pre-nationalisation period
should be properly backfilled and biologically reclaimed in to either
plantation or restored to agricultural land. The Committee desired that details
of land use end of mine life and post mining be furnished in the standard
tables prepared by MOEF. The Committee also sought a detailed CSR Plan and Rs 5
per tonne of coal to be earmarked for activities under CSR. In case,
exploration does not indicate sizeable reserves, the proponent may consider
surrendering the lease after completion of reclamation of the abandoned mines
and worked out OC and UG mines. The Committee noted that the mines being part
of the Jharia coalfields are in a critically polluted area of Dhanbad and in
view of their location a mitigative plan that should be put in place to reduce
the overall pollution load from the cluster and improve the environmental
quality of the cluster of mines.
Based
on the application along with documents and presentation thereon and
discussions held, the Committee prescribed the following TOR:
(i) An
Integrated EIA-EMP for the cluster of mines shall be prepared clearly bringing
out the present status of environemntal quality and the extent of pollution
load from each mine and the combined load from the cluster of mines that would
be reduced by taking suitable mitigative measures for the individual mines and
for the cluster and the expected improvement in the environmental quality of
the mines in the cluster and within the coalfield after the implementation of
the measures through an Integrated Environmental Plan formulated on the
aforesaid basis. A fresh baseline data
on the env. quality shall be generated on the new NAAQM Notification. Baseline data collection shall be for any season except monsoon. Details of the present land use and post
mining land use of the operating and abandoned mines individually and as a
cluster shall be furnished as part of the EIA. A detailed Mine Closure
Plan and a Mine Reclamation Plan for the abandoned mines (UG and OC)/pits/quarries
found in the cluster shall be furnished as a part of EIA-EMP study. The closure
of UG mines should ensure that no illegal mining is done thereafter from the
mines. Details of long term
benefits to environment because of cluster approach of mining shall be clearly
addressed in the EIA-EMP study. In
addition to the above, details of an Action Plan for project specific R&R
and CSR shall also be formulated and presented in the EIA-EMP. The aforesaid Integrated
Environmental Management Plan shall be dovetailed to the Jharia Action Plan.
(ii) The Integrated EIA-EMP shall
incorporate an Environmental Action Plan for mitigating the environmental
degradation existing in the cluster and for improvement of the environmental
quality (air, water and land) so that the region (Dhanbad), which presently
critically polluted, shows discernible improvement of its environmental
quality.
(iii) The
EIA-EMP Report to be prepared on a cluster approach shall cover Lohappatty UG (0.03 mTPA with a
peak prodn. Of 0.039 MTPA), Lohapatty OC Mine (0.375 MTPA with a peak prodn. Of
0.487 MTPA) in ML/project area of 1577.22
ha based on the generic structure specified in Appendix III
of the EIA Notification 2006.
(iv) An EIA-EMP
Report would be prepared for Lohappatty UG (0.03 mTPA
with a peak prodn. Of 0.039 MTPA),
Lohapatty OC Mine (0.375 MTPA with a peak prodn. Of 0.487 MTPA) to 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. Baseline
data collection can be for any season except monsoon.
(v) A map specifying
locations of the State, District and Project location.
(vi) 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.
(vii) 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.
(viii) 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.
(ix) A contour map showing
the area drainage of the core zone and 2-5 km of the buffer zone (where the
water courses of the core zone ultimately join the major rivers/streams outside
the lease/project area) should also be clearly indicated as a separate map.
(x) 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.
(xi) Break up of lease/project area as per
different land uses and their stage of acquisition.
(xii) Break-up of
lease/project area as per mining operations.
(xiii) 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.
(xiv) 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.
(xv) 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.
(xvi) 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.
(xvii) 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.
(xviii) 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.
(xix) Study on subsidence,
measures for mitigation/prevention of subsidence, modelling subsidence
prediction and its use during mine operation, safety issues.
(xx) 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.
(xxi) Detailed water balance
should be provided. The break up of water requirement for the various mine
operations should be given separately.
(xxii) Source of water for use
in mine, sanction of the competent authority in the State Govt. and impacts
vis-à-vis the competing users.
(xxiii) Impact of mining and
water abstraction use in mine on the hydrogeology and groundwater regime within
the core zone and 10 km buffer zone including long–term modelling studies on.
Details of rainwater harvesting and measures for recharge of groundwater should
be reflected in case there us a declining trend of groundwater availability
and/or if the area falls within dark/grey zone.
(xxiv) Impact of blasting, noise and vibrations.
(xxv) 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.
(xxvi) Details of waste
generation –
(xxvii) Impact and management of
wastes and issues of rehandling and backfilling and progressive mine closure
and reclamation.
(xxviii) 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.
(xxix) 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.
(xxxi) Integrating in the Env.
Management Plan with measures for minimising use of natural resources - water,
land, energy, etc.
(xxxii) 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.
(xxxiii)
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. The
Committee desired that the abandoned quarries/mined out pits/voids left over
form the pre-nationalisation period should be properly backfilled and
biologically reclaimed in to either plantation or restored to agricultural
land. The Committee desired that details of land use end of mine life and post
mining be furnished in the standard tables prepared by MOEF. In case,
exploration does not indicate sizeable reserves, the proponent may consider
surrendering the lease after completion of reclamation of the abandoned mines
and worked out OC and UG mines.
(xxxiv) Including cost of EMP
(capital and recurring) in the project cost and for progressive and final mine
closure plan.
(xxxv) Details of R&R. 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.
The Committee also sought a detailed CSR Plan and Rs 5 per tonne of
coal to be earmarked for activities under CSR.
(xxxvi) 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.
(xxxvii) In built mechanism of self-monitoring of compliance of
environmental regulations.
(xxxviii)
Status of any litigations/ court cases filed/pending on the project.
(xxxix)
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.
(xxxx) Copy of
clearances/approvals – such as Forestry clearances, Mining Plan Approval, NOC
form 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.
(viii) MOEF Circular
dated 22.03.2010 may kindly be referred to regarding time limit for validity of
Terms of Reference (TOR) prescribed under EIA Notification, 2006 for
undertaking detailed EIA studies for development projects requiring
environmental clearance.
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.
Yours
faithfully,
(Dr.T.Chandini)
Director
Copy to: Shri R.K. Sinha, Member-Secretary,