No.
J-11015/46/2009-IA.II(M)
Government
of India
Ministry
of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran
Bhawan,
CGO
Complex,
New
Delhi-110510.
To
Dated:
15th April 2009
M/s
Western Coalfields Ltd.,
Coal
Estate, Civil Lines,
Nagpur-
440001.
Sub: Penganga
OCP (Mugoli Extn.) (3 MTPA with a peak production of 4.5 MTPA in 781 ha) of M/s
Western Coalfields Ltd., dist. Chandrapur, Maharahstra (TOR)
Sir,
This
is with reference to letter no. 43011/46/09-CPAM dated 11.02.2009 regarding the
above-mentioned subject, which was considered in the meeting of the Expert
Appraisal Committee (Thermal & Coal Mining Projects) held on 23rd
–24th March 2009. It was noted that it is new opencast project
located adjacent to Mugoli OCP. However a physical barrier in the form of a
river separates the two mines. However,
there is no plan presently to mine beneath the river although coal deposits are
found. Entire OCP is under HFL of the river. A bridge would be constructed over
the river during this project. The grade of coal is ‘F’ grade. The max. height
of ext. OB dump would be 90m and that of the backfilled are would also be
raised to 90m form ground level. Backfilling and ext. OB dumping would begin
from 2nd year and only internal dumping form the 16th
year. Life of the project is 19 years. R&R consists of 350 PAFs from Wirur
village. Mineral transportation is planned to Ghughus Railway Siding at a
distance of 16km.
The Committee observed that 670 ha of the total 781 ha consists of agr. land and desired that details of whether it is single crop/double crop irrigated/non-irrigated should be provided. The Committee was also of the view that a copy of the SC Judgement for restriction on diversion of good agr. land should be given to CIL for their information and use in planning of projects. The Committee desired that a detailed Area Drainage Study should be undertaken to assess the impacts of mining on the hydrology and vice-versa. The Committee desired that the Railway line be extended up to Mugoli and a Railway siding be constructed for the mines in and around Mugoli. The Committee observed that a separate dump for ‘unconsolidated material/sludge’ is earmarked, which indicated that the area is water logged or with very shallow water table and it may not be safe to develop a dump of a height of 60m. The Committee desired that the PP consider reducing the dump and rework the waste management. The Committee sought a project specific R&R Plan and also a plan for CSR.
The proponent informed that the establishment of a Railway Siding at Mugoli may take about three years, but agreed to have the mineral transportation done through rail.
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 3 MTPA with a
peak production of 4.5 MTPA rated
capacity in an ML/project area of 781 ha based on the generic structure
specified in Appendix III of the EIA Notification 2006.
(ii)
An EIA-EMP Report would
be prepared for 3 MTPA with a
peak production of 4.5 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 3
MTPA with a peak production of 4.5 MTPA of
coal production based on approval of project/Mining Plan for 3 MTPA with a peak production of 4.5 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 watercourses 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. The
Committee observed that 670 ha of the total 781 ha consists of agr. land and
desired that details of whether it is single crop/double crop
irrigated/non-irrigated should be provided.
(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.
(xv)
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) The
Committee desired that a detailed Area Drainage Study should be undertaken to
assess the impacts of mining on the hydrology and vice-versa. 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) The
Committee desired that the Railway line be extended up to Mugoli and a Railway
siding be constructed for the mines in and around Mugoli. 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)
The Committee observed that a separate dump
for ‘unconsolidated material/sludge’ is earmarked, which indicated that the
area is water logged or with very shallow water table and it may not be safe to
develop a dump of a height of 60m. The Committee desired that the PP consider
reducing the dump and rework the waste management. 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.
(xxv) 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.
(xxvi) 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.
(xxvi)
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.
(xxxi)
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.
(xxxii)
Including cost of EMP (capital and
recurring) in the project cost and for progressive and final mine closure plan.
(xxxiii) The Committee sought a project specific R&R Plan and also a plan for CSR. 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.
(xxxiv)
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.
(xxxv)
In built mechanism of self-monitoring
of compliance of environmental regulations.
(xxxvi) Status of any
litigations/ court cases filed/pending on the project.
(xxxvi)
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.
(Dr.T.Chandini)
Director
Copy
to: Chairman, Maharashtra State Pollution Control
Board, Kalapatru Point, 3rd & 4th Floor, Sion Matunga
Scheme Road No. 8, Opp. Cine Planet Cinema, Near Sion Circle, Sion (E), Mumbai
– 40002.