No.J-11015/1000/2007-IA.II(M)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

 

Paryavaran Bhawan,

CGO Complex,

New Delhi-110510.

 

Dated: 17th December 2007

To

M/s South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. (SECL),

Bilaspur,

Chhattisgarh.

 

Sub:    Chhal Opencast Expn. (1 MTPA to 3 MTPA with a peak production of 3.5 MTPA) of M/s SECL, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh (TOR)

Sir,

 

This is with reference to consideration of the aforesaid proposal in the EAC(T&C) meeting held on 28th -29th Nov. 2007. It was noted that the proposal is for expansion of the existing Chhal OCP from 1 MTPA to 3 MTPA with a peak production of 3.5 MTPA (15 % increase). EC was granted for 1 MTPA capacity for 27.03.006. The unit has within a year applied for EC for a higher capacity of 3.5 MTPA. River Mand is flowing along the edge of the ML boundary and it is proposed to construct an embankment of 4 km length which 3-4 m above the HFL of the river. It was informed that a void of 26.32 ha of a max. depth of 20m would be left at the final stage. R&R involves one village – Lat comprising 422 PAFs and 276 land losers.

 

The Committee after discussions based on the application and documents submitted and presentation made, in addition to the above, recommended the following TOR:

 

(i)         An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for expansion from 1 MTPA to 3 MTPA rated capacity (with a peak production of 3.5 MTPA) based on the generic structure specified in Appendix III of the EIA Notification 2006. The EIA report should explain the reasons why the proponent had not obtained EC for 3.5 MTPA in 2006 itself since there is a gap in coal production and supply. Copy of the earlier EC letter should be attached as an annexure.

(ii)       An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for expansion from 1 MTPA to 3 MTPA  rated capacity (with a peak production of 3.5 MTPA) covering the incremental impacts only and management plan for the incremental impacts based on 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 expansion from 1 MTPA to 3 MTPA of coal production (with a peak production of 3.5 MTPA) based on approval of project/Mining Plan for the enhancement to 3 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 clearly delineating the major topographical features such as the land use, 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 are found in the area, surface drainage of rivers/streams/nalas/canals, locations of human

habitations, major constructions including railways, roads, pipelines, major industries/mines and other polluting sources.

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(v)        Land use map (1: 50,000 or 100,000 scale) based on a recent satellite imagery of the study area may also be provided with explanatory note of the land use.

(vi)       Map showing the core zone delineating the agricultural land (irrigated and irrigated, uncultivable land (as defined in the revenue records), forest areas (as per records).

(vii)      Contour map of 3m intervals and 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 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.

(viii)      Break up of lease area as per different land uses and their stage of acquisition.

(ix)       Break-up of lease area as per mining operations.

(x)                            Impact of changes in the land use due to the start of the combined projects since much of the land being acquired is agricultural land.

(xi)       Collection of one-season (non-monsoon) primary base-line data on environmental quality - air (SPM, RPM, SOx and NOx), noise, water (surface and groundwater), soil.

(xii)     Map of the study area (core and buffer zone clearly delineating the location of various stations superimposed with location of habitats, other industries/mines, pouting sources. The number and location of the stations in both core zone should be selected on the basis size of lease 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 as per ISI and surface water as per CPCB guidelines.

(xiii)                       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 should be included.

(xiv)                     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. 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. If the study area has endangered flora and fauna, or if the project falls within 10km of an ecologically sensitive area, then a comprehensive Conservation Plan should be prepared and furnished along with comments form the CWLW of the State Govt.

(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.

(xvi)                       Impact of mining on hydrology, particularly of River Mand and its drainage, modification of natural drainage by construction of an embankment, diversion and channelling of the existing rivers/water courses flowing though the ML and adjoining the lease and the impact on the existing users and impacts of mining operations thereon. Impact of construction of embankment on the surface hydrology of the area

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by a competent institution should be undertaken. In addition, the impacts of quarrying on natural drainage including leaching should be studied.

(xvii)     Detailed water balance should be provided. The break up of water requirement for the mine should be given separately.

(xviii)    Source of water for use in mine, sanction of the competent authority in the State Govt. and impacts vis-à-vis the competing users.

(xix)     Impact of mining and water abstraction use in mine on the hydrogeology and groundwater regime within the core zone and 10km buffer zone including long–term modelling studies on. Details of rainwater harvesting and measures for recharge of groundwater should be reflected.

(xx)      Impact of blasting, noise and vibrations. Examine if surface miner and/rock breaker could be used to avoid blasting.          

(xxi)     Impacts of mining on the AAQ, predictive modelling using the ISCT-3 (Revised) or latest model.

(xxii)     Impacts of mineral transportation – within and outside the lease along with flow-chart indicating the specific areas generating fugitive emissions. Examine whether use of conveyors is a better option that road transportation should be examined. 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.

(xxiii)                    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. The embankment should not be constructed with OB but with clay, stones for pitching and also stabilised for plantation. OB dumps should be located at least 100m away from the river. The Committee also desired that the proponent should re-examine if OB dumping of 16 MM3 in an area of 37 ha and a dump height of 30m is realistic. It was agreed that the proponent should examine to do away with void at the post mining stage.

(xxiv)    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 and measures for occupational health and safety of the personnel and manpower for the mine and TPP.

(xxvii)   Disaster Management Plan and risk assessment.

(xxviii)  Integrating in the Env. Management Plan with measures for minimising use of natural resources – water, land, energy, etc.

(xxix)    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 base don original survey/landuse.

(xxx)                     Conservation Plan for the endangered/endemic flora and fauna, if any, 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. Report/letter form CWLW shall be furnished with their comments on the Plan.

(xxxi)                   Detailed Final Mine Closure Plan since the balance life of mine is only 8 years. 

 

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Final Mine closure issues includes plan for decommissioning, post mining land use and restoration of land/habitat to pre- mining.

(xxxii) Including cost of EMP (capital and recurring) in the project cost and for progressive and final mine closure plan.

(xxxiii) A detailed R&R plan for PAPS of village Lat should be prepared and details of R&R in the resettlements site identified at a distance of 6 km would be done. Detailed R&R Plan with data on the existing socio-economic status 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 the schedule of the implementation of the R&R Plan.

Detailed plan for socio-economic and welfare measures. The PP should explore establishment of cooperatives with some run by women involving enterprise/skills/resources of the local area and involving local communities.

(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 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)  Time series digital map of the area (core and buffer zone) since grant of EC.

(xxxvii)  Detailed compliance report of the EC granted.

(xxxviii)Status of any litigations/ court cases filed/pending on the project.

 

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.

 

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.

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