No.
J-11015/538/2008-IA.II(M)
Government
of India
Ministry
of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran
Bhawan,
CGO
Complex,
New
Delhi-110510.
To
Dated: 9th
February 2009
M/s
Western Coalfields Ltd.,
Civil
Lines, Coal Estate,
NAGPUR –440001.
Sub: Dhuptala
OC Project (1.70 MTPA over 1300.91 ha) of M/s WCL, Dist.
Chandrapur, Maharashtra (TOR) - Terms of Reference
(TOR) – reg.
Sir,
This is with reference to letter no.
43011/121/2008 dated 19.12.2008 of the Ministry of Coal enclosing the
application on the aforesaid subject which was considered in the next meeting
of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal & Coal Mining Projects) held on
28th –29th January 2009. It was noted that the
proposal is for conversion of Sasti UG mine to Opencast mine and to amalgamate
it with the existing Dhuptala OCP. The total mineral reserves is 54 MT of which
Sasti UG has 15 MT. It was explained
that the project is over an area of 1300 ha of which 879.14 ha is to be
acquired. Of the total lease, mineralised area is only 385 ha. However due to
high stripping ratio of 1:5 resulting in an estimated generation of 280 Mm3 of
OB over the life, an external OB dump of 396 ha of 90m heights would be
required. In addition two-third of the decoaled void to be backfilled and the
internal dump would also increase to more than 60m above ground level. A
tributary of River Wardha would be diverted. Ultimate working depth is 200m.
The
Committee desired that the entire OB management be remained to reduce the total
area and height of both external and internal dumps. The Committee desired that
the proponent examine shifting Sasti village adjacent to quarry as this would
help advance the plan of backfilling by 5-6 years, which would help reduce the
overall height of external OB dump For increasing the dump height beyond 60m,
slope stability studies would require to be carrier out. The Committee desired
that the ultimate working depth should be reduced to about 30m, which would
also help reduce the height of the internal/external dumps. The Committee recommended
that fully mechanised loaders (not payloaders) should be deployed. The
Committee desired that a detailed Hydrology study should be carried out
examining the impact of the proposed diversion on end users and approval of the
Flood & irrigation Dept. should also be obtained.
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
1.70 MTPA rated capacity in a total ML/project area of 1300.91 ha
based on the generic structure specified in Appendix III of the EIA
Notification 2006.
(ii) An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for
1.70 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 1.70 MTPA of coal production based on
approval of project/Mining Plan for 1.70 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) 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.
(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 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.
(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. 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.
(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.
(xxvii) 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.
(xxviii) Disaster
Management Plan.
(xxix) 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.
(xxiii)
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.
(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.
(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.
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: Chairman,
Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board, 3rd & 4th
Floor, Sion, Matunga Scheme Road. No.8, Opp. Cine Planet Cinema, Near Sion
Circle, Sion (E), MUMBAI – 400002.