No.
J-11015/536/2008-IA.II(M)
Government
of India
Ministry
of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran
Bhawan,
CGO
Complex,
New
Delhi-110510.
To
Dated:
3rd July 2009
General
Manager (Env.),
M/s
Central Coalfields Ltd.
Darbhanga
House,
RANCHI
Sub: Ara Sarubera Group of Mines (1.65 MTPA in 1214.85
ha) of M/s Central
Coalfields Ltd., located in dist. Ramgrah, Jharkhand (Further consideration of
TOR) –
reg.
Sir,
This is with reference to letter
no. 43011/119/2008 dated 03.12.2008 regarding the aforesaid proposal which was
considered in the meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal & Coal
Mining Projects) held on 28th –29th January 2009. The proposal for TOR was considered in EAC (T&C)
meeting held on 28th –29th January 2009 wherein the
Committee requested that
the detailed topographical features, the present status of abandoned mines/mine
operations such as voids/water bodies, ext. OB dumps, waste stored in different
areas of the lease off the 3 mines and how they are proposed to be worked out
should be clearly brought out in a fresh presentation before the Committee.
This was received on 01.06.2009 and the proponent made a presentation.
The proposal is for EC for a group of 3 contiguous
mines – Sarubera UGP (0.210 MTPA over 449.39 ha), Chainpur OCP (0.575 MTPA in
237.25 ha) and Ara OCP (0.87 MTPA in 528.21 ha). The total combined production
capacity of the 3 mines is 1.65 MTPA over 1214.85 ha. The three mines have
continuous lease boundaries. The infrastructure and colony are common for the 3
projects. Of the total ML area, 266.08 ha is agr. land, 449.43 ha is
forestland, 237.06 ha is wasteland, 46 ha is water bodies, and 196.28 ha is
others. A number of old quarries/worked voids existing within the ML are
proposed to be reclaimed as part of the project. Coal evacuation is from
Chainpur Railway Siding located at a distance of 3 km from the ML. The total
combined water requirement is 1025 m3/d of which 225 m3/d is for Sarubera UGP,
175 m3/d is for Chainpur OCP and 320 m3/d is for Ara OCP. The source of water for
both for the mine and for domestic consumption is mine water.
The Committee desired that a combined EIA-EMP be
prepared for the 3 mines. The Committee desired that the voids existing as
water bodies continue to remain as water bodies. The remaining voids be
reclaimed for plantation/agr. use.
Based on the application along with documents and presentation thereon and discussions held, the Committee prescribed the following TOR:
(i)
A combined EIA-EMP
Report would be prepared for the cluster of 3 mines of a max. prodn. capacity
of 1.65 MTPA (peak) over
1214.85 ha ML area based on the generic structure specified in Appendix III
of the EIA Notification 2006.
(ii)
The EIA-EMP Report
would be prepared for 1.65 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 1.65 MTPA of coal production based
on approval of project/Mining Plan for 1.65 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 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.
(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.
(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)
Study on
subsidence, measures for mitigation/prevention of subsidence, modelling
subsidence prediction and its use during mine operation, safety issues.
(xviii) 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.
(xix) Detailed water balance should be
provided. The break up of water requirement for the various mine operations
should be given separately.
(xx) Source of water for use in mine,
sanction of the competent authority in the State Govt. and impacts vis-à-vis
the competing users.
(xxi) 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.
(xxii) Impact of blasting, noise and vibrations.
(xxiii) Impacts of
mining on the AAQ, predictive modelling using the ISCST-3 (Revised) or latest
model.
(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) 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.
(xxxiii) The
Committee desired that the voids existing as water bodies continue to remain as
water bodies. The remaining voids be reclaimed for plantation/agr. use. 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.
(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.
(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.
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.
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.