The EAC, after deliberations observed that instant proposal is for reconsideration in Environmental Clearance and observed the earlier compliance of points raised by EAC of revising the mine plan were taken up by PP but only on re-handling of dump and its related area located within the project area is addressed. PP has now been planned for rehandling and backfilling between 8th to 12th years of operation, concurrent to operation. There are three projected areas in the northern boundary of the Quarry A B and C. As per the revised plan PP will not dump the OB in projected area of quarry A and EAC had also mandatorily suggested PP, to leave both the projected area located in quarry A as well as C since they are located near to the densely populated habitation and increase the height of OB dump, to only use projected area of C. The area proposed in C block is to be reclaimed and plantation to be done.   The PP had yet to procure the area located outside the lease i.e. around 143.305 Ha. So EAC asked the PP to expedite it and submit the LOI of the state government. EAC also recommended mandatorily PP to obtain Forest Clearance of 109.459 Ha of the total forest area falling in the project boundary.

EAC asked PP to store the water as the ground water is shallow instead of going for very small size RWH system.  On enquiring about the mining method PP replied that it will be done by Shovel dumper with hydraulic excavators on which EAC recommended mandatorily to opt surface miner for excavation of coal as the densely populated area is located nearby and within the mine lease too. Further on enquiry, PP could not finalized the transportation route rather proposed  4 tentative routes so EAC had asked to firm up the evacuation plan with maximum  two options so the environment impact due to transportation could be minimized with optimum fleet size to nearest railway siding. PP was given opportunity during preparation of minutes; however the same was not provided.  It was also found that schedule –I species like Rock pythan, peacock etc. are present but PP had not prepared the conservation plan for them, So EAC asked PP to prepare the conservation plan and submit it for approval to the competent Authority.

Further, based on documents and facts submitted by PP, EAC further desired from PP to submit the following details

(i)            PP shall furnish the copy of Letter of Intent of State Government of the area other than the mine lease or allocated coal block to be acquired by PP

(ii)         PP shall provide the acknowledgment  and approval of Wildlife Conservation Plan for Schedule-I species and breakup of the proposed activities with budgetary provision submitted to the DFO

(iii)       PP shall provide the concurrence letter from Coal Controller Organization regarding revised Mine Plan and Mine closure plan as per observations of EAC during earlier and current meeting

(iv)        PP shall firm up maximum 2 route nearest to railway siding for linkage and based on traffic impact assessment, EMP measures shall be proposed after deciding and fixing the route of transportation from mine to railway siding.

(v)          PP shall provide the detailed plan of plantation on the area desired by EAC and peripheral plantation of 50 mts along the mine (quarry A and C).

In view of above, the proposal is deferred.

The EAC after detailed deliberation was of the view that proposal needs proper responses and preparedness. No fleet size assessment has been made even emphasizing this point in the last meeting.  The Committee opined that the proposal is not in order as of now since there is scope of reduction of land degradation and safety of habitation in between the two quarries. The Committee expressed displeasure on quality of reply submitted by consultant named Min Mec Consultancy Pvt Ltd wherein the reply is not backed with specific action plan/activities. Further EAC desired that the pointwise compliance submitted by PP should be answered with specific activities and firmed plan. PP shall further submit the details on the following points.

(i)            PP shall review the Mine Plan and Mine Closure Plan to optimize external and internal dumping schedule, and avoid its proximity to any habitation (2^nd external OB dump). The PP shall ensure faster reclamation of land disturbed by both mining and dumping on a concurrent basis as soon as the external and internal dumping operation of an area gets over. It was observed, even in the existing mine plan that reclamation of land can start much quicker than what has been envisaged to begin only at the end of the mine life. Reclamation must include regradation of land on a concurrent basis before plantation or any other land use such as rain harvesting etc.

(ii)         PP shall bring clarity on the area of coal block since it is 370 ha as per Mine Plan and as per PP, area of project is 356.57 ha. Also, forest land is 92.53 ha in approved Mine Plan however PP has applied for 109.459 ha.

(iii)       PP should submit budget provision/estimate for developing rain water harvesting structures in (i) mine area, (ii) buildings within the mine lease, (iii) Public buildings in Gourangdih B & nearby villages (buffer zone).

(iv)        PP should develop/adopt pond, lake & reservoir and submit the details of distribution of potable water supply in the villages and for agricultural purpose falling within the zone of influence and plan of distribution of water to the local people to the tune 560 KLD through PHED, Govt. of WB.  

(i)            PP should provide consequential impact of OB dump by reducing the fleet size after change in rearranging the areas and schedule

(ii)         Mechanism or Action proposed for controlling any cracks in building located in B Block since PP has accepted that there are chances of crack in building due to blasting in Public Hearing.

(iii)       Since, two mine quarries are at certain distance, PP shall clarify the technique adopted/method adopted for Air Quality Impact modelling.

(iv)        PP should submit year wise breakup and timeline with specific activity based Action Plan regarding the queries raised during the public hearing.

(v)          PP should submit the details the breakup of R&R budget and should submit the details of families having land only and families having land and house within the ML. 

(vi)        PP shall submit the detailed plan of action for numbers and location of air pollution monitoring stations, noise monitoring and vibration monitoring (based on blast vibration study) all along the A & C quarries towards B block for regular monitoring during mining operations.

(vii)      PP should present the scheme of plantation along the haul roads and toward block B to reduce air pollution with emphasis on local and native species and the species which are tolerant to pollution.

(viii)    PP should submit certification of PCCF about absence of Schedule-I species in the project and buffer area. Further certifying that no wildlife/National Sanctuary in 10 km project area.

The proposal was deferred on above lines for compliance by project proponent. 

The EAC after deliberation was of the view that proposal is not in order from environment management point of view and deferred the proposal for want of further inputs/clarification on following points.   

        i.            PP shall submit the Stage-I FC for diversion of 109.459 ha of forest land for non-forestry purposes

      ii.            since area B is not intended to be mine and No OB dump and CHP should be located outside Mine Lease area, PP shall submit Revised Mine Plan including Mine Closure Plan

    iii.            Progressive reclamation mine closure plan/backfilling shall be prepared to reduce the requirement of land.

    iv.            Consequential impact of ground water in B -Block area to be carried due to mining activity out in A & C Blocks.

       v.            PP shall provide details of water harvesting for fulfilling the need area B since it comes under the zone influence of mining activity and primarily ground water is source of water for settlement on area B.

    vi.            Consequential impact of OB dump by reducing the fleet size shall be prepared after change in rearranging the areas.

  vii.            Proper response of public consultation with regard to pollution mitigation measures and demands of local people.

viii.            Details of control blasting with adequate safeguard for nearby people particularly locals residing in block B.

    ix.            Comprehensive Plan for supplying water to the nearby habitation in villages/settlements (zone of influence) as pointed out in the public hearing

       x.            Propose the measures to be taken for reduction of air pollution by transportation of OB dump.

    xi.            Project Proponent should submit approved R&R plan from District Collector

  xii.            Certification of PCCF about absence of Schedule-I species in the project and buffer area. Further certifying that no wildlife/National Sanctuary in 10 km project area.

xiii.            Details of ecological restoration as per Terms of reference shall be submitted.

The proposal was deferred on above lines for submission of compliance of observation