No. J-11015/34/2009-IA.II(M)
Government of India
Ministry of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran Bhawan,
CGO Complex,
New Delhi-110510.
To
Dated: 20th March 2009
M/s SECL,
Bilaspur,
Chhattisgarh.
Sub: Balgi UG
Expn. (0.36 TPA to 0.60 MTPA normative with a peak production of 0.90 MTPA
in 1026 ha)
of M/s SECL, dist. Korba, Chhattisgarh- Terms of
Reference (TOR) – reg.
Sir,
This
is with reference to letter no. 43011/2/2009-CPAM dated 28.01.2009 of the
Ministry of Coal forwarding the application on the aforesaid subject, which was
considered in the meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal & Coal
Mining Projects) held on 23rd –24th February 2009. It was
noted that the project started in 1984 and the present
proposal is for a peak production of 0.90 MTPA. Mining is by B&P &
deployment of SDL and transport to surface by belt. The drainage of the Block
is controlled by Kholar nalalh and Ahiran River, which ultimately joins river
Hasdeo. Balance life is 7 years. Total land area is 1026 ha of which 854.199 ha
is agr. land and 171.801 ha is govt. land.No R&R is involved. Coal dispatch
is by road (20-30% ) and by rail from Surakacchar Siding (70-80%).
The Committee noted that for a small UG mine, the
levels of SPM/RSPM were very high. The Committee also did not agree to the
proponent’s clarification that this was due to the TPP found nearby as the TPP
was located in the down wind direction to the mine. The Committee desired that
mineralogical composition of the particulates along with source apportionment study
should be undertaken to determine the source of the particulates and a pan for
drawing up suitable mitigative measures. The Committee desired that a detailed
CSR for a revenue expenditure of Rs. 140 lakhs of coal should be formulated.
Based on the application along with documents and presentation thereon and discussions held, the Committee prescribed the following TOR:
(i)
An
EIA-EMP Report should be prepared for 0.90 MTPA (expansion from 0.36 MTPA to
0.60 MTPA with a peak production of 0.90
MTPA) over 1026 ha land area addressing the impacts of the project
including the aspects of mineral transportation and issues of impacts on
hydrogeology, plan for conservation of flora/fauna and afforestation/
plantation programme. Baseline
data collection can be for any season except monsoon.
(ii)
The EIA-EMP
report should also 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
baseline data and information, generation of baseline data on impacts for 0.90 MTPA (expansion from 0.36 MTPA to 0.60 MTPA with a peak production of 0.90 MTPA) of coal production
based on approval of project/Mining Plan.
(iii)
A Study area map
of the core zone and 10km area of the buffer zone (15 km of the buffer zone in
case of ecologically sensitive areas) delineating the major topographical
features such as the land use, drainage, locations of habitats, major
construction including railways, roads, pipelines, major industries/mines and
other polluting sources, which shall also indicate the migratory corridors of
fauna, if any and the areas where endangered fauna and plants of medicinal and
economic importance are found in the area.
(iv)
Map showing the
core zone along with 3-5 km of the buffer zone) delineating the agricultural
land (irrigated and unirrigated, uncultivable land (as defined in the revenue
records), forest areas (as per records) and grazing land and wasteland and
water bodies.
(v)
Contour map at
3m interval along with Site plan of the mine (lease/project area with about 3-5
km of the buffer zone) showing the various surface structures such as
buildings, infrastructure, CHP, ETP, Stockyard, township/colony
(within/adjacent to the ML), green belt and undisturbed area and if any
existing roads, drains/natural water bodies are to be left undisturbed along
with details of 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., highways, passing through the lease/project area.
(vi)
Original land
use (agricultural land/forestland/grazing land/wasteland/water bodies) of the
area. Impacts of project, if any on the landuse, in particular, agricultural
land/forestland/grazing land/water bodies falling within the lease/project and
acquired for mining operations. Exent of area under surface rights and under
mining rights.
(vii)
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. The flora and fauna details should be furnished separately for the core
zone and buffer zone. The report and the list should be authenticated by the
concerned institution carrying out the study and the names of the species
scientific and common names) along with the classification under the Wild Life
Protection Act, 1972 should be furnished.
(viii)
Details of
mineral reserves, geological status of the study area and the seams to be
worked, ultimate working depth and progressive stage-wise working plan/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 also be included.
(ix)
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.
(x)
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.
(xi)
Map of the study
area (core and buffer zone) clearly delineating the location of various
monitoring stations (air/water/soil and noise – each shown separately)
superimposed with location of habitats, wind roses, other industries/mines,
polluting sources. The number and location of the stations should be selected
on the basis of the proposed impacts in the downwind/downstream/groundwater
regime. One station should be in the upwind/upstream/non-impact non-polluting
area as a control station. Wind roses to determine air pollutant dispersion and
impacts thereof shall be determined. Monitoring should be as per CPCB
guidelines and standards for air, water, noise notified under Environment
Protection Rules. Parameters for water testing for both ground and surface
water should be as per ISI standards and CPCB classification of surface water
wherever applicable.
(xii)
Impact of mining
and water abstraction and mine water discharge in mine on the hydrogeology and
groundwater regime within the core zone and 10km buffer zone including
long–term modelling studies on the impact of mining on the groundwater regime.
Details of rainwater harvesting and measures for recharge of groundwater should
be reflected wherever the areas is declared dark/grey from groundwater
development.
(xiii)
Study on
subsidence, measures for mitigation/prevention of subsidence, modelling
subsidence prediction and its use during mine operation, safety issues.
(xiv)
Detailed water
balance should be provided. The break up of water requirement as per different
activities in the mining operations, including use of water for sand stowing
should be given separately. Source of water for use in mine, sanction of the
competent authority in the State Govt. and impacts vis-à-vis the competing
users should be provided.
(xv)
Impact of choice
of selected use of machinery - and impact on air quality, mineral
transportation, coal handling & storage/stockyard, etc, Impact of blasting,
noise and vibrations.
(xvi)
Impacts of
mineral transportation – within and outside the lease/project. The entire
sequence of mineral production, transportation, handling, transfer and storage
of mineral and waste, and their impacts on air quality should be shown in a
flow chart with the specific points where fugitive emissions can arise and the
specific pollution control/mitigative measures proposed to be put in place.
Examine the adequacy of roads existing in the area and if new roads are proposed,
the impact of their construction and use particularly if forestland is used.
(xvii)
Details of
various facilities to be provided in terms of parking, rest areas, canteen, and
effluents/pollution load from these activities. Examine whether existing roads are adequate to take care of the
additional load of mineral and their impacts.
(xviii)
Examine the
number and efficiency of mobile/static water sprinkling system along the main
mineral transportation road within the mine, approach roads to the
mine/stockyard/siding, and also the frequency of their use in impacting air
quality.
(xix)
Impacts of CHP,
if any on air and water quality. A flow chart of water use and whether the unit
can be made a zero-discharge unit.
(xx)
Conceptual mine
closure plan along with the fund requirement for the detailed activities
proposed there under. Impacts of change
in land use for mining operations and whether the land can be restored for
agricultural use post mining.
(xxi)
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 should be furnished.
(xxii)
Details of cost
of EMP (capital and recurring) in the project cost and for final mine closure
plan. The specific costs (capital and recurring) of each pollution
control/mitigative measures proposed in the project until end of mine life and
a statement that this is included in the project cost.
(xxiii)
Integrating in
the Env. Management Plan with measures for minimising use of natural resources
– water, land, energy, raw materials/mineral, etc.
(xxiv)
R&R: Detailed project specific R&R Plan with data on the existing
socio-economic status (including tribals, SC/ST) 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 costs along with the
schedule of the implementation of the R&R Plan.
(xxv)
Public Hearing
should cover the details as specified in the EIA Notification 2006, and include
notices issued in the newspaper, proceedings/minutes of public hearing, the
points raised by the general public and commitments by the proponent made
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.
(xxvi)
Status of any
litigations/ court cases filed/pending on the project.
(xxvii) Submission
of sample test analysis of:
(xxviii) 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 in Regional languages provided/enclosed
with the application.
(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 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.
(vi) The letter/application for EC should quote the MOEF file No. and also attach a copy of the letter prescribing the TOR.
(vii) 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.
(viii) 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, Chhattisgarh Environment, Conservation Board, 1-Tilak Nagar, Shiv Mandir Chowk, Main Road, Avanti Vihar, RAIPUR-Chhattisgarh – 492001.