No.
J-11015/320/2009-IA.II(M)
Government
of
Ministry
of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran
Bhawan,
CGO
Complex,
New
Delhi-110510.
To
Dated: 23rd
September 2010
Director,
M/s
Gondhkari Coal Mining Ltd.,
4th
Floor, UCO Bank Building,
5,
New
Delhi-110001.
Sub: Gondhkari Coalmine Project (1 MTPA in 1130 ha) Mining Ltd.
located in Kamptee Coalfield, dist.
Sir,
This is with reference to letter no.
GCML:WS:KIL:EIA-EMP:09-10 dated 18.11.2009 and letter no. CGM:EIA dated
26.04.2010 regarding the aforesaid
proposal which was considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal &
Coal Mining) in the meeting held on 30th -31st August
2010. It was informed that the
location of the proposed underground coal mine project is at a distance of 29km
from the extended buffer zone of the Pench Tiger Reserve. It was informed that
it is a fully explored block. Grade of coal varies from B to G. Grade B would
be despatched to their DRI Plant. The block has two sections – eastern and
western sections. Life of the project is 38 years. Incline would branch off to
two. Mining Plan has been approved by MOC. It was stated that mining by Board
& Pillar method with partial caving will not result in subsidence. Ultimate
working depth is 400m bgl after 30 years. Groundwater abstraction is not
expected to be significant as the water table is high in the region. The
proposal does not involve any modification of natural drainage. However, there
would be no mining carried out near the water reservoir in the easterly
direction. No danger is anticipated as there is a 400m thick basalt barrier in
between the reservoir and the mining area. Surface area rights would be for
40ha only which includes establishing a railway siding within the mine lease
for transport of coal form the ML to its linked project by rail covering a
distance of 7km. The rail mode of despatch however depends on the final
approval based on study of the terrain which has hillocks between the mine and
the TPP. The option of transport by conveyors would also be examined. NO R&R is involved.
The Committee desired that a map authenticated by
the PCCF (WL),
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 a peak capacity of 1 MTPA in 1130 ha addressing the impacts of the underground
coalmine project including the aspects of mineral transportation and issues of
impacts on hydrogeology, plan for conservation of flora/fauna and
afforestation/ plantation programme based on the generic structure specified in
Appendix III of the EIA Notification 2006.. 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 1 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. The Committee
desired that a map authenticated by the PCCF (WL),
(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. Extent 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. The Committee desired that a detailed Area
Drainage Study should be carried out including Risk Assessment and Disaster
Management Plan in case of emergency as part of the EIA-EMP study.
(x)
The
Committee desired that the AAQ stations be relocated and a one-season data be
generated for air quality using PM10 and PM 2.5 as parameters. Water quality
analysis should also be done as the project is part of Bina River Catchment. Collection of one-season (non-monsoon) primary baseline data on
environmental quality – air (PM10, PM2.510, 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 mining
method, technology, selected use of machinery - and impact on air quality,
mineral transportation, coal handling & storage/stockyard, etc, Impact of
blasting, noise and vibrations.
(xvi)
The
Committee desired that the all options of coal evacuation using
rail-cum-conveyor mode for coal transportation should be studied and desired
that truck transportation should be avoided outside the ML area. 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) The Committee desired that a detailed
pre-mining survey of the local communities in and around the project should be
carried out and based on which activities under CSR should be formulated.
(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.
(xxix) 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 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.
The following additional points are also to be noted:
(i) Grant
of TOR does not necessarily mean grant of EC.
(ii) Grant of TOR/EC to the
present project does not necessarily mean grant of TOR/EC to the captive/linked
project.
(iii) Grant of TOR/EC to the
present project does not necessarily mean grant of approvals in other
regulations such as the
Yours
faithfully,
(Dr.T.Chandini)
Director
Copy to: Chairman,
No.
J-11015/320/2009-IA.II(M)
Government
of
Ministry
of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran
Bhawan,
CGO
Complex,
New
Delhi-110510.
To
Dated:
21st March 2011
Director,
M/s
Gondhkari Coal Mining Ltd.,
4th
Floor, UCO Bank Building,
5,
New
Delhi-110001.
MODIFICATION OF TOR
Sub: Gondhkari Coalmine Project (1 MTPA in 1130 ha) l Mining Ltd.
located in Kamptee Coalfield, dist.
Sir,
This is with reference
to your letter No. GCML:WS:MoEF:TOR dated 15.10.2010 on the aforesaid subject
on the TOR granted by this Ministry vide letter dated 23.09.2010 seeking
Modification of TOR for revising the ML area from 1130 ha to 977 ha, which
was considered in the EAC (T&C) meeting held on 24th -25th
January 2010. It was informed that of the original total ML area of 1130 ha, it has been decided during
consideration of the Mining Plan for the project to reduce the ML area to 970
ha which is coal bearing and an additional 7 ha has been added for
accommodation of the main Incline of Mine No.7.
The Committee recommended the total revised ML area
of 977 ha, which includes 7 ha for accommodation of the main Incline of Mine
No.7.
The TOR is hence modified as given below:
(i) In
Sub:, replace 1130 with 977.
(ii) page
2, second para, (i), replace 1130 with 977.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr.T.Chandini)
Director
Copy to: Chairman,