No. J-11015/11/2010-IA.II(M)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhawan,

CGO Complex,

New Delhi-110003.

 

Dated: 28th April 2010

 

To

Chief General Manager (Env.),

M/s Bharat Coking Coal Ltd.,

Koyla Bhawan, Dhanbad.

 

Sub:     Application for TOR for Cluster XIII coalmines of M/s BCCL located in Jharia Coalfields, Dhanbad consisting of:

(i)                Murulidih of Pits (0.234 MTPA peak in an ML area of 571.32 ha

(ii)              Bhurungiya Colliery in an ML area of 170.44 ha

(iii)            Mucharaidih Colliery in an ML area of 83.33 ha

(iv)            Hantoodih Colliery in an ML area 193.41 ha

(v)              Padugora Colliery in an ML area of 17.6 ha

(vi)            Murulidih Colliery in an ML area of 547 ha

(vii)          Bhatdee Colliery in an ML area of 315.62 ha–reg.

 

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 proposal is for obtaining EC for lease renewal by preparation of a combined EIA-EMP for a cluster of 6 UG and one OC mines in a total combined ML area of 1898.62 ha consisting of (i) Murulidih Pits (0.234 MTPA peak in an ML area of 571.32 ha, (ii) Bhurungiya Colliery in an ML area of 170.44 ha, (iii) Mucharaidih Colliery in an ML area of 83.33 ha, (iv) Hantoodih Colliery in an ML area 193.41 ha, (v) Padugora Colliery in an ML area of 17.6 ha. (vi) Murulidih Colliery in an ML area of 547 ha and (vii) Bhatdee Colliery in an ML area of 315.62 ha. Of these, only Murulidih 20/21 pits (571.32 ha) is an operating mine.

 

S.N.

Name of the Mine

Status

Production Capacity

(in MTPA)

ML Area (in ha)

1.

Muralidih of Pits

Operating

0.18

0.234

571.32

2.

Bhurungiya  Colliery

Abandoned

--

--

170.44

3.

Muchradih Colliery

Abandoned

--

--

83.23

4.

Hantoodih Colliery

Abandoned

--

--

193.41

5.

Padugora Colliery

Abandoned

--

--

17.60

6.

Murulidih Colliery

Abandoned

--

--

547.0

7.

Bhatdee Colliery

Abandoned

--

--

315.62

TOTAL

0.18

0.234

1898.62

 

Of the total ML area, 39.29 ha is forestland. FC has been applied for. The cluster is adjoining Cluster XIV in the west and in the South by River Damodar. The 6 UG mines are closed abandoned mines, which have been sealed and there are 15 unstable sites which includes shifting of 2187 homesteads under the Jharia Action Plan. The Ml has a abandoned opencast pits which require reclamation. Of the total ML area, 254.8342 ha would be covered under the Jharia Action Plan. The area is under exploration for mineable reserves for mining below 600m depth and exploration may taken 6-8 years.

 

The Committee desired that the 14.25 ha of ext. OB dump be rehandled and backfilled in abandoned pits/quarries and biologically reclaimed. The overlying surface of the 6 abandoned mines should be reclaimed with plantation or restored to agricultural or other uses and a detailed Action Plan should be prepared.  As in the earlier case, in case exploration does not indicate sizeable reserves for future mining, the proponent may consider surrendering the lease after completion of reclamation of the abandoned mines and worked out OC and UG mines. The Committee suggested that the services of a sociologist, environmentalist, and rehabilitation expert be taken for reclamation of the abandoned mines and the land to be put to use again. The Committee requested the company to also examine alternate technologies such as coal gasification for the deeper seams.

 

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 environmental 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 Final 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)       An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for Cluster XIII coalmines consisting of (i) Murulidih Pits (0.234 MTPA peak in an ML area of 571.32 ha, (ii) Bhurungiya Colliery in an ML area of 170.44 ha, (iii) Mucharaidih Colliery in an ML area of 83.33 ha, (iv) Hantoodih Colliery in an ML area 193.41 ha, (v) Padugora Colliery in an ML area of 17.6 ha. (vi) Murulidih Colliery in an ML area of 547 ha and (vii) Bhatdee Colliery in an ML area of 315.62 ha based on the generic structure specified in Appendix III of the EIA Notification 2006.

(iv)      An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for Cluster XIII coalmines consisting of (i) Murulidih Pits (0.234 MTPA peak in an ML area of 571.32 ha, (ii) Bhurungiya Colliery in an ML area of 170.44 ha, (iii) Mucharaidih Colliery in an ML area of 83.33 ha, (iv) Hantoodih Colliery in an ML area 193.41 ha, (v) Padugora Colliery in an ML area of 17.6 ha. (vi) Murulidih Colliery in an ML area of 547 ha and (vii) Bhatdee Colliery in an ML area of 315.62 ha 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)      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.

(xvii)     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.

(xviii)    Study on subsidence, measures for mitigation/prevention of subsidence, modelling subsidence prediction and its use during mine operation, safety issues.

(xix)      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.

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

(xxi)      Source of water for use in mine, sanction of the competent authority in the State Govt. and impacts vis-à-vis the competing users.

(xxii)     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.

(xxiii)    Impact of blasting, noise and vibrations.                   

(xxiv)    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.

(xxv)     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 28o angle as the ultimate slope. Sections of dumps (ultimate) (both longitudinal and cross section) with relation to the adjacent area should be shown.

(xxvi)    Impact and management of wastes and issues of rehandling and backfilling and progressive mine closure and reclamation.

(xxvii)   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.

(xxviii)   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.

(xxix)  Disaster Management Plan.

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

(xxxi) 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.

(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. The Committee desired that the 14.25 ha of ext. OB dump be rehandled and backfilled in abandoned pits/quarries and biologically reclaimed. The overlying surface of the 6 abandoned mines should be reclaimed with plantation or restored to agricultural or other uses and a detailed Action Plan should be prepared.  As in the earlier case, in case exploration does not indicate sizeable reserves for future mining, the proponent may consider surrendering the lease after completion of reclamation of the abandoned mines and worked out OC and UG mines. The Committee suggested that the services of a sociologist, environmentalist, and rehabilitation expert be taken for reclamation of the abandoned mines and the land to be put to use again.

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

(xxxiv) 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.

(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 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 (TORs) 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, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, TA Building, HEC Complex, P.O. Dhurva, Ranchi - 834002.

Untitled Page