chapter - 6 summary, suggestions and...
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CHAPTER - 6
SUMMARY, SUGGESTIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
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CHAPTER 6
6.0 SUMMARY, SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Each aspect of the iron ore mining industry in Goa and the study area in
particular has been discussed extensively throughout this research. This chapter
concludes the study by presenting a summary of the entire research; puts forth broad,
but focused suggestions for the mining issues in Goa and the study area; and proposes
specific recommendations.
The summary of the entire research includes the background research about iron
ore mining, mining in India and Goa, an in-depth study of mining problems in Goa, and
the need for sustainability in mining. The suggestions are based on all the background
research and analysis, the detailed investigation through primary surveys in the entire
region and in the study area, and through extensive discussions and consultations with
all the stakeholders concerned with the mining industry in Goa and in the study area.
Specific recommendations provide a clear set of action items and emphasize that these
are critical for implementation.
This research suggests that sustainability in a growing economy can ensure
dignified livelihoods and safe access to the same to all residents, while ensuring that all
businesses, infrastructure and services are ecologically sustainable during all stages of
production and consumption without degrading the region’s natural systems.
In order to accomplish the above, this study identifies a few critical
requirements. These are not limited to: Mapping and demarcation of the buffer area and
eco-sensitive zones; Determination of permissible mining leases; Engineering
technologies and practices that do not entail further destruction of the natural
environment is urgently required to replace existing forms of mining in Goa;
Collective/shared responsibility by the mining industry to protect water and aquatic
ecosystems; Adoption of precautionary approach to the disposal of mining waste; and
The permit of mining operations only with the accompaniment of necessary
environmental and financial obligations. These are encapsulated in a limited manner for
the purpose of this introductory section below:
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Open-cast or strip mining is one of the most destructive forms of mining, and in
many areas of the world, companies have replaced the method with better practices like
room and pillar extraction, which does not entail much destruction of forests or other
natural elements on the surface. Along with adopting better practices, surface water
entering the mine pit can be controlled using improved engineering techniques to
prevent water from flowing in to the mines. Water exposed to sulphur- bearing minerals
in an oxidizing environment, such as an open pit or underground workings, may become
acidified and gets contaminated with metals. The mining industry must collectively
share responsibility to protect water and aquatic ecosystems by forestalling pollutions as
much as possible, and the communities that rely on them, especially since mining
produces such large quantities of toxic waste. Companies and governments must adopt a
precautionary approach to disposal of tailings and ensure that mining operations do not
dump tailings or other mine waste into natural bodies of surface water, including rivers,
streams, lakes, wetlands, and intertidal, estuarine, and marine ecosystems. Governments
must only permit mining operations with simultaneous injunctions to protect our oceans,
rivers, streams and wetlands from mining pollution, and with full financial obligations
to cover the cost of clean-up, remediation, and restoration of tailings storage areas.
The following research summary, and the various suggestions and specific
recommendations provide a more thorough discussion of all the issues addressed in this
research and the specific actions to be taken by diverse stakeholders to address all the
identified problems.
6.1. Research Summary
Iron resources are not just raw materials for obtaining metals and alloys like iron
and steel, but in fact critical and valuable resources for catalysing all round industrial
growth and development of any economy. However, there is an inherent conflict evident
in the fundamental position of iron and steel in economies at all levels, and iron ore
mining has negatively impacted the state of natural environment and irreversibly
changed sensitive human and wild habitats. There is a need to understand and assess the
combined and overlapping impacts of mining on the environment, society, and economy
in a state like Goa that has not only large quantities of ore deposits, but also rich natural
ecology, and sensitive and vulnerable habitats.
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6.1.1. Iron Ore Mining in India
India is considered to be one of the largest producers of iron ore in the world
along with China, Brazil and Australia. It contributes more than 7 percent of the world’s
production and is ranked fourth in terms of the quantity produced. The Indian steel
Industry is primarily based on Hematite resources: Of the total 28.526 billion tons of
iron ore resources in India, Hematite resources are 17.88 billion tones and Magnetite
resources are 10.64 billion tons, or about 63 percent and 37 percent respectively. The
production of steel in India is growing at a rate of about 7.8 percent per annum during
2005-06 to 2011-12 and steel capacity of more than 89 MMT per annum is expected to
be achieved by end of Year 2020. This is seen to be higher than the projections of the
National Steel Policy, 2005. As the steel production is projected to grow, the actual
requirement of iron ore by the domestic iron and steel industry is also expected to grow.
6.1.2. Iron Ore Mining in Goa
Mining in the territory of Goa was initiated through a Decree of 1906 by the
erstwhile Portuguese regime. The regime granted 810 concessions of a size of about 100
Ha each to explore and extract the mineral ore. A meagre amount of 1406 tons of ore
was produced in the year 1941, which rose to 39, 58,586 (3.96 MMT) by the year 1960.
The period of 1980 to 2000 witnessed a high degree of mechanization in mining, and
with demand for ore from many foreign countries, the production has reached the level
of 51.17 MMT during the year 2010-11as against 45 MMT the previous year. Mining
contributes around 4.2 percent of the state GDP and earns Rs.9.61 billion in tax revenue
with the export of more than 45 MMT of ore annually from Goa to other countries. It
provides employment to about 80,000 persons directly and 40,000 indirectly.
The total resources in the state were estimated to be 1149845 thousand tonnes, of
which 927172 thousand tonnes was Hematite ore and 222673 thousand tonnes was
Magnetite ore. The district of South Goa had higher distribution of types of ore with
284210 thousand tonnes of Hematite ore and 204668 thousand tonnes of Magnetite ore,
as opposed to 173118 thousand tonnes of Hematite ore and 2330 thousand tonnes of
Magnetite ore in North Goa.
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6.1.3. Environmental Impacts From Mining in Goa
In Goa, 8 percent of the state surface is already occupied by mining, mostly to
extract iron ore. It is a major conflict area where mining activity is confronting flora and
fauna, the original habitants of nature. Mining has degraded land in the form of
deforestation, groundwater pollution, surface water pollution and dense dust deposition
everywhere. Damage to the environment is mainly due to mining waste dumps,
pumping out of muddy waters from the working pits including those where the mining
operations have gone below the water table, and slimes from the beneficiation plant.
The washed out material from the dumps and the flow of slimes from the beneficial
plants pollute the surrounding water sources and cause siltation of water-ways,
especially during monsoon.
There are large numbers of mines within the Government forest area and about
500 Sq. Kms are affected by mining activities. Area under private forests has
precipitously come down from 387.33 Sq. Kms to less than 200 Sq. Kms (TERI AEQM
plan for the mining Belt of Goa, 1997).
Large areas of fertile agricultural lands have been diverted for mining and most
of the agricultural lands around the mining areas are all spoilt due to overflowing of
mining waste during rainy season. This has led to, at times violent conflicts between
those involved in agriculture and those with mining in the area. Land degradation is
another main problem, as minerals dissolved in rain water runoff lead to infertility of the
soil. The loss of soil quality; contaminated water; hardened slimes and silts; destruction
of local and regional waterways; etc., have all lead to a serious decline in agricultural
production.
Mining has also affected the Salaulim reservoir in Sangeum taluka, which
supplies drinking water to half the state's population, besides providing water for
irrigation and industries. Over 20 mines are operating in the vicinity of the dam. Heavy
silt has settled in the dam reservoir because of mining.
About 362 barges are used to transport the ore to the ports (for export) through
inland waterways using mainly the Mandovi and Zuari Rivers and the Cumbarjua Canal.
There are 31 loading jetties on the River Mandovi and 14 on the River Zuari, under the
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control of various mine owners. Loading jetties for barges have resulted in surface
water pollution during loading and unloading operations. The continuous movement of
tippers on these roads creates a deposition of the dust and iron ore on the roads. This
contributes to air pollution not only in the vicinity of the mines but also along the
transportation corridors. Also, when these dust particles settle on the leaves of plants, it
hampers photosynthesis and thus causes depletion of productivity.
6.1.4. Existing Official Initiatives and Recommendations to Address the
Environmental Impacts
The environmental issues highlighted above accentuate the need for finding a
rational, administratively implementable and scientifically sustainable solution through
planning. Land use planning is a major tool for development administration. The
legislations and governing regulations thereunder play a major role in managing the
environment of a region, including Goa. Official initiatives and plans that recognize the
environmental impacts and provide specific recommendations have been discussed in
detail in Chapter 2. A few selected official initiatives are summarized below.
Forest Act, 1980: This act is of particular significance to mining activity in
India as most mines occur in forest areas. The Act requires mining firms to seek Central
Government approval for a mining lease to be granted in respect of any forest area for
the resumption of mining operations on the expiry of mining lease; for information
relating to rehabilitation of mine sites, damage to trees, distance of the site from
important eco systems and highways, reclamations procedures, and extent of subsidence
expected in underground mines when proposals are made to divert forest land to non-
forest use.
Comprehensive Industry Document on Iron Ore Mining by the Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB), (2007) documents the environmental impacts of
Iron ore mining and highlights the following:
The environmental impacts on air, water, land, flora and fauna occurs at
mine exploration, exploitation and associated activities. This has resulted
in the deterioration of forest ecology, alteration of land use pattern and
change in local drainage system due to inadequate landscape
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management during mining operation and improper and inadequate
rehabilitation strategy adopted.
Current rehabilitation is principally directed at restoring visual amenity,
stabilizing disturbed areas and growing trees that will prove useful to the
future generations.
The most conspicuous positive impact of iron ore mining in India is in
the areas of social and economic upliftment. It has led to better
healthcare, education and living standards.
Dust is the major issue of concern in all the mining areas during non-
monsoon periods. In the areas of high rainfall (more than 2500 mm
annual average in the Goa and Kudremukh region), the control of
suspended solids in the surface runoff become an issue of major concern,
and the situation further worsen because of the presence of scattered, un-
stabilised and improperly designed waste dumps.
The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), Part I (2011) has
recommended an indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining in
ESZ 1 and 2 in Goa and a phasing out of mining by 2016 in ecologically sensitive Zone
1. Further, in ESZ2, it has recommended that mining be carried out under strict
regulation with an effective system of social audit. It also recommends that for mining
in Goa, cumulative EIAs must be made mandatory rather than entertaining EIAs for
individual leases in the same areas. For mines currently operating below the water table,
it recommends that it should be mandatory for the company to have plans in place for
ground water management and use that will not affect local wells and water supply.
The Final report – Regional Plan 2021 – Release Two by the Government of
Goa (2011) (RPG) has mapped 117 working mining leases and recommends that
working mines the numbers should not increase. Further, from this pool of 117 mining
leases, it recommends termination and phasing out of leases that are located close to
settlements, Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks, heritage sites and ecologically
sensitive areas. RPG gives clear guidelines for the same.
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6.1.5. Current Status of Iron Ore Mining in Goa and the Study Area
Goa's mining operations were suspended first by the Goa Government on
10.09.2012 after the Justice M.B Shah Commission Report was tabled in the Parliament.
After this, 139 Environmental Clearances were suspended by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests on 14.09.2012, followed by the Supreme Court of India order
for ban on iron ore mining operations in the State on 5.10.2012, in the context of the
Goa Foundation petition 435/2012. Justice M.B Shah Commission and the Central
Empowered Committee had investigated and reported several irregularities/illegalities
concerning the mining industry in Goa. Though the period of ban has lasted for more
than 20 months, there are very few detailed studies done by Government agencies to
assess the impacts from the ban on mining. However, a few research works and many
reviews by the media are full of data regarding this scenario.
Migration and population growth scenario: Though mining usually attracts
migrations, the survey indicates that majority of the people residing in the study area
had already migrated 15 to 20 years ago and a marginal 4 percentage of recent migration
has taken place in the past 5 years. There is significant intra-state migration of people of
Goa from the midland and the ghats to the urban centers and coastal areas within the
state, which indicates uneven economic development in the state. Population growth
rate has reduced by 50 percent i.e. 8.23 percent compared to 15.2 percent earlier. The
population density of 390 persons per Sq. Kms in the state is higher than the
neighbouring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra indicating incrementally rising
pressure on available land and other resources.
Impact on Agriculture activities: Agriculture activities in the study region has
received a major negative impact in the mining belt. Agriculture has been virtually side-
lined to only 25 percent of the households depending on it. Out of 25 percent of the
households who are owning agriculture lands, nearly 20 percent of them have diverted
their lands for mining operations. Cultivators and Agriculture workers have declined
drastically from 86,201 Agriculture workers to 58,114 workers from 2001-11. There is a
reduction of 28,087 Agriculture workers in Goa. In the study area, cultivators and
agriculture workers have declined from 46,418 persons to 30,014 persons i.e. a
reduction of 15304 during 2001 -2011. This indicates a decline in agricultural activity in
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Goa as well as study area. Main workers and total workers have increased in Goa,
whereas in the study area both main workers and marginal workers have reduced from
2001-2011. This indicates a declining trend in the participation in agricultural activities
and more and more workers resorting to mining activities. The yield of crops, livestock
(except poultry), have also seen a negative growth trend. Out of 269 households which
owned agricultural lands only 26 percent of them had taken up for livestock rearing as
part of their economic activities in the study area. Of the total agriculturists 28 percent
have reported negative impact of mining on grazing lands.
Mining activity, socio-economic scenario and other details of the study area
from primary surveys: Mining activity has a major influence on the socio - economic
scenario in the study area. The economic activities and dependency of the citizens on
mining is evident in the mining belt. From the primary surveys for this research, it is
observed that almost 48 percent of the households depend on mining and allied
activities, of which people involved in mining transport alone shows 21 percent
dependency.
A quick analysis of the socio- economic scenario in the study area indicates that
more than 57 percent households possess or live in pacca houses and 30 percent
households live in semi pacca houses. Only 13 percent of the households live in kacha
houses. This signifies better living conditions in the mining belt. Similarly, 75 percent of
households in the mining belt are served with piped water supply compared to states
averages for rural areas of 78 percent households (Census of India 2011). The sanitation
facilities in the mining areas indicate 90 percent of households using own toilets in the
study area and a majority of households have access to cooking gas. Ownership of four
wheelers and two wheelers is more than the state average. There is a general reduction
of respiratory infections in Goa as well as study area after 2009. This could be the result
of various directives of the Honorable Court and strict implementation of pollution
control measures by the authorities.
Analysis of transportation related impacts and tripper ownership: About 33
percent of the respondents reported pollution as one of the major fall outs of mining
traffic followed by traffic congestion (27 percent) and accidents (21 percent). 72.92
percent of the households reported negative impact of ore transportation. Among the
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study villages reporting negative impacts of mining, highest percentage of 88.17 percent
was in Mulgao and the lowest at 59.21 percent was in Cudnem. Out of the 1060
households surveyed, 226 (21.32 percent) households own tippers leased out for mining
companies.
The average number of tippers per owner in the study village works out to 1.86.
The average number of trucks among tipper owners per household in Sanvordem and
Cudnem is more than 2.0. On an average, the transport business is being carried out in
the region as a main economic activity for the past 7.67 years. In villages like
Sanvordem, Xeldem and Cudnem, transport operations have been carried out for the
past more than 9 years. It is observed that the average distance plied by trucks in the
study area is around 81.24 Kms per day. This average distance has a direct bearing on
the distance from mines to Jetty, type of road and the intensity of traffic. The average
net monthly income per tipper is around Rs. 62,763/, which indicates that having a
tipper is a very profitable business.
Impacts along transportation routes: Out of 355 households residing within
100 Meters from the transportation routes, 78.03% have reported negative impact.
Similarly 83.18% residing between 100-500 Meters and 55% residing between 500-
1000 Meters and 71.58 % residing beyond 1000 Meters have expressed negative
impacts of mining. By and large the response of negative impacts has been higher
between 0-500 Meters compared to those residing beyond 500 Meters.
An analysis of the impact of mining traffic along 100 meter stretch on both sides
of the road corridors was carried out by using the land use plans of Regional Plan 2021.
Bicholim taluka has nearly 14,000 people who are exposed to mining dust pollution
followed by Quepem with 9,736 people. The study area has 38500 people exposed to
this adverse condition. 60.85% of the respondents have welcomed the decision of the
authorities to impose restrictions on mining traffic during school hours. 61.32% have
reported that the transport operators have been complying with the policy restrictions.
About 52% of the respondents desire to have an exclusive mining road corridor by by-
passing the residential areas and towns.
Positive and negative perceptions of mining: According to the perception of
the residents, negative impacts of mining are pollution, transportation problems and
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contamination of agriculture lands and water bodies. However, 46 percent of the
households surveyed have reported that the contribution of mining to the local economy
has improved, whereas only 12 percent reported that it had worsened the conditions and
11 percent reported that the status quo had not changed. Of the 46 percent households
reporting improvement, 31 percent of households had stake in mining. Generally, less
than 50 percent of the surveyed people feel that mining has improved the socio-
economic status. Whereas, 67 percent those directly involved in mining transport or
employment feel mining has actually improved socio-economic scenario in the region.
The most important problem reported in the household survey was that of pollution with
37% share of the total households surveyed, followed by effect on transportation (20%)
and health and wellbeing related issues (9%). Most preferred option reported as an
alternative source of income were tailoring and vegetable cultivation with 46% and 40%
share of the total responses. Jam and jelly making and mushroom farming followed
next with 31 and 29 percent share of the total households surveyed.
Valid leases and working leases details of sample villages in the study area:
The study area covers about 2176.11 Sq. Kms, which is 58.78 percent of the total area
of Goa. Currently, 336 valid leases are on the records of the authorities of which 90 to
120 leases have been working at some time or the other. A quick look at the ratio of
working lease to valid lease areas shows that it touches nearly 38.6 percent. It means
that 38.6 percent of valid leases area have been under working mining in the past.
Bicholim taluka covers 8.7 percent followed by Quepem 7.22 percent and Sanguem
with 5.06 percent. Under working lease area Bicholim taluka in the study area has the
least forest cover with 877.07 Ha of land, of which, 408.47 Ha of land is already under
mining, thereby covering 46.57 percent of the total forest area in the taluka. 209.35 Ha
of paddy fields have been consumed by working mines directly. It does not include the
agricultural area (paddy fields) lost due to siltation from mining sludge. 2.55 percent of
the total settlement area is consumed by mining with in the working lease area.
However, the figure varies from 1.65 percent in Quepem, 7.25 percent in Dharbandora
taluka, Bicholim taluka has lost 4.4 percent of its settlement.
Quepem taluka has 7.19 percent area of water bodies lost to mining followed by
Bicholim taluka with 4.40 percent. About 27 percent of the land under working leases/
mining in the study area comes from forest land. If private forest is to be included, then
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the percentage goes to 28.66 percent. In Quepem Taluka working mines have consumed
4.84 percent of land from agricultural use. The impact could be much higher if all the
affected agricultural land is taken in to account. It could be a fruitful effort to make a
detailed study focused only on agricultural land affected by mining. It is observed that
62 percent of the working mines area is primarily from orchard zone followed by 27
percent from forest zones and 5 percent from settlement zones.
The talukas of Dharbandora and Sanguem cover 41 percent and 34 percent
respectively. It means that about 41 percent working mining area in Dharbandora are in
Forest land and 1/3 of working mines in Sanquem are in forest land.
Out of the total working lease area, 4.94 percent area consumed by mining is
from Settlement use, and 8 percent of area from Settlement zone in Sattari taluka
followed by 7.45 percent in Bicholim taluka.
Land use changes in the study area: Land use pattern in 2000 and 2012 of the
study area indicate reduction of forest land and agriculture land to the tune of 7.77 Sq.
Kms of forest and 24.5 Sq. Kms of agricultural land. However, the study also indicates
an increase in waste land to a total of 15.74 Sq. Kms, built up land to the tune of 13.02
Sq. Kms and water bodies to the tune of 3.51 Sq. Kms. Increase in waste land and the
built up land could be due to the fact that most of the mined and exposed area and the
fresh dumps are treated as waste land by the satellite. Increase in water bodies is due to
the accumulation of water in the mining pits during monsoon when ore extraction is
discontinued.
Delineation of buffer zones: The crucial goal in and around the Wildlife
sanctuaries and National parks is to determine or identify Buffer zones, which may act
as transition zone between areas of high protection and between areas of low / no
protection. Delineation of Buffer zone assumed significance in Goa due to the mining
leases overlapping in and around Wildlife sanctuaries. The Government of India
(MoEF) has issued guidelines on 9th February, 2011 for the declaration of Eco-sensitive
zones around National Park and Wildlife sanctuaries. The guidelines also include the
activities which are prohibited, regulated and permitted around National Park and
Wildlife sanctuaries. Wild Life conservation strategies in 2002 where by the decision
taken to notify the areas within 10 Km of boundaries of National Park and Wild Life
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corridors as eco-sensitive areas. However, the 10 Km wide Buffer zone was seen as
impacting many settlements and the mining activities by many states. The state
Committee submitted a report on 01.06.2007 and suggested a “0-1” Km buffer zone
for Bondla, Cotigao, and Dr. Salim Ali wild life sanctuary and 0 kms for the remaining
wildlife sanctuaries. The buffer zone as per the committee is shown in Map 5.2. As per
this, only marginal areas were covered within the buffer zone. It would retain 82
working mines 263 valid leases.
The Regional Plan for Goa (RPG) – 2021 suggested, and marked on the plans, a
1Km wide buffer zone all around the Wildlife sanctuaries, National Park, and a wild life
corridor. The RPG-2021 has also suggested 1 km buffer from Selaulim Reservoir.
Regional Plan for Goa suggested to terminate all working leases in the Wildlife
sanctuaries as well as from the buffer zone. As per the draft RPG-2021, only 77 working
leases (working mines) would be allowed to continue their operations and only 221
valid leases conform to the norms out of 336 valid leases.
It is observed that as per the CEC (Central Empowered Committee)
classification, 63.44percent of the protected areas are in Category A which is having an
area of more than 500 Sq. kms. The National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa fall
under B, C and D category in their individual area status and does not qualify for
category A. This would qualify them for 1 km buffer zone around. Whereas, by
applying “Contiguous Factor” all the protected areas of Goa qualify to be Category A.
Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) has designated the entire Westerns
Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and assigned three levels of Ecologically
Sensitive Zones to different regions of it.
In the case of Goa, 1 minute x 1 minute grids were used, and the zones across
talukas were defined based on ecological significance of grids. For the state of Goa,
WGEEP recommends an indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for
mining in ecologically sensitive zones 1 and 2, a phasing out of mining in Ecologically
Sensitive Zone 1 by 2016. The Working Group followed a detailed geospatial analysis
for identifications of Ecologically Sensitive Areas at a fine resolution of 24 m with
village as unit. The buffer zone area in this case comes to 29432 Ha. Which is 23.89
percent of existing forest area of Goa and 7.95 percent of geographical area of Goa.
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The WEEGP recommendation covers an area that is almost equivalent to 77
percent of the total forest area of Goa under ESZ category. The KasturiRangan
recommendation covers 60 percent or equivalent of total forest area and 20 percent of
Geographical area of Goa. The state government decided and suggested 1 Km or major
water body within 1 Km as the buffer zone. The buffer zone area in this case comes to
23557 Ha. Which is 19.12 percent of existing forest area of Goa and 6.36 percent of
geographical area of Goa.
Pollution monitoring analysis in the study area: The Goa state pollution
control board which is a subsidiary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
under the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India is monitoring Air
& Water Quality, under National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP) and National
Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP). The Board monitors water bodies at
29 locations all over the state under National water quality Programme covering rivers,
wells, canals, reservoir and creeks out of which 11 stations are in the study area.
Since the study is focused on impact assessment it is necessary to observe the
data results during the mining period compared to non-mining periods. Iron Ore Mining
in Goa is completely suspended with effect from September 2012. The result of
monitoring stations before September 2012 and after September 2012 are compared to
obtain the impact of mining during the operations.
The desirable pH value is 6.5 to 8.5 and the turbidity is 5 to 10. The data
indicates that Kushavati river at Kevona, Rivona, Sanguem and Selaulim river at
Sanguem recorded a higher than the permissible limits of pH value. Whereas, all the
other stations record the pH value of less than permissible limit. Whereas, the turbidity
do vary during monsoons and non- monsoons seasons. In general the Water Quality
analysis does not depict any marked annual change in all parameters.
It is observed that though the general quality of water in the rivers mostly
satisfied the quality requirement of the designated best uses, locating the monitoring
stations at loading points, up streams of the catchment areas of reservoir, underground
streams, and tube wells in mining belt could throw different results. From the health
statistics, water borne diseases and chronic illnesses associated with bad quality of water
can be observed in the mining belts.
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The ambient air samples are collected from each stations twice a week as per the
standard norms for ambient air quality monitoring and normal parameters RSPM, SPM,
SO2 and NOX. Six out of Seven new stations are located in mining belts. There are 11
ambient air quality monitoring stations throughout Goa. Time series data of ambient air
quality is also analysed before suspension of mining operations with effect from
September 2012, and after the suspension of mining operations. The data obtained
before and after the suspension of mining operation gives very clear indications of the
air quality parameters.
There is a clear impact of mining activities visible on the air quality. The result
can also be interpolated to determine the level of mining operations to be permitted in a
region to maintain the level of ambient air quality. Analysis of Ambient air quality data
of Codli and Curchorem stations, during the period from Dec 2010 to Nov 2013,
indicate that the air pollution is observed to be higher before Sep 2012 and it has
gradually subsided below the permissible levels. All the parameters i.e. SOX, NOX and
pH 2.5 are seen below the permissible limit. pH10 has been indicating a very high value
exceeding the permissible limits during the mining operations, particularly during the
period of Dec 2011 to May 2011. The ambient air quality monitoring trend during the
period 2010 upto March 2013 indicates that the particulate matter levels were very high
(exceeding the permissible limits) during 2010-11 and 2011-2012 at Codli, Bicholim,
Honda and Usgao and at Tilamol-Quepem during 2011-12.
Currently the entire traffic of tippers moves through existing roads network in
the study area. As such, the alignments of the roads pass through existing settlement
area/ villagers and towns. The density of tippers on these roads has increased multi-fold
in the last 20 years. Increase in production of iron ore has a direct bearing on the no. of
tippers required to transport the ore as well as increase the income level of the people in
the mining region. This trend has led to an increase in no. of tippers as well as the
number of 4 wheelers and 2 wheelers and other commercial vehicles. The study area has
38,500 people exposed to adverse conditions.
6.2. Suggestions
Based on the background research and analysis of the results of the primary
survey, the following suggestions are presented for consideration. These cover issues
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regarding lease permits; buffer zones; agricultural activities; compensation for
alternative economic activities; issues regarding abandoned mines; issues regarding
tippers and transportation; the carrying capacity of the mining region; etc. These are
detailed below under different categories.
6.2.1. Lease Permits and Buffer Zones
On an average 39 percent of the area under valid lease is operational. There is a
need to maintain this operational level in all the talukas. Operational mines with
permission from the Forest Department shall be phased out within 2 years provided a
closure plan is approved by the government along with rehabilitation plan of the flora,
the people, workers, farmers etc. All the valid leases currently not under operation, and
those which are inside NP, WLS, forest and buffer zone shall be terminated. In other
words no Environmental Clarence and approvals shall be granted for any valid leases to
operate in eco-sensitive areas. The working mines which are already started extraction
but fall in protected area and buffer zone (ESZ) shall also be terminated.
There is a need to use advanced technologies for re-assessing mining leases; the
mineral survey in Goa was done during the Portuguese period while granting
concessions. In today’s circumstances, there are advance technologies for assessment,
identification and confirmation and quantification. Most of the concessions were
granted in the past, which are still valid legally, shall be reviewed and reassessed by
usingadvance technology. Based on the results, uneconomical concessions / leases
should be abolished.
6.2.2. Agricultural Activities and Compensation
Agricultural activities in the study area has been on the decline over the last
decades. This is reflected in declining productivity of the fields and decreasing numbers
of cultivators and agricultural workers. It is therefore necessary to revive agriculture and
encourage allied activities to agriculture so as to sustain the workers in the non-mining
sectors. It is necessary to encourage cooperative farming in the area so as to make
agricultural activities consolidated, economical and sustainable.
There is a need to survey and identify agriculture land affected by mining due to
siltation, flooding, sledging, loss of fertility due to polluted water from the mining pits.
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Adequate compensation mechanisms for the affected agricultural lands have to be
operationalized as part of the monitoring mechanism. The rehabilitation of paddy fields/
agriculture lands as well as tribal population depending on such agriculture land should
be made compulsory in any mining plan.
6.2.3. Suggestions for Abandoned Mines
Abandoned mining pits could be converted into potential water bodies for
storage of water and used for agriculture after treating the water, if necessary.
Abandoned mining areas could be considered for the development of eco-tourism
resorts, eco-sensitive habitats, and for regeneration of the landscape with native
plantings and vegetation.
6.2.4. Suggestions for Tippers and the Impacts of Transportation
Number of tippers plying through the settlement area have to be reduced to
acceptable levels. The procedure suggested by the Hon’ble High Court in terms of load
factors, timings, and the quantum, speed limits etc. should be implemented
scrupulously.
Alternative methods of transport of ore other than roads shall be explored such
as railways, conveyor belts, etc. The recommendation of Regional Plan for Goa-2021 to
provide railway link could be explored, as detailed at Appendix VI-3.
There is a need to study and assess the problems of the population affected by
mining transport and provide adequate safety and compensatory measures to reduce the
pollution within the settlement areas and compensate those affected through health
insurance etc.
The Northern cluster of miners can be connected with conveyor belts from the
mines to the jetties as they are close to each other. The Central clusters of mines could
be connected to south-western railway through sidings as indicated at Appendix VI-4.
The Southern cluster of mines which entail transportation for more than 30 kms to the
jetties could be connected to the railway line at Bali railway station at Quepem taluka
by creating a tunnel of road or conveyor belt and then transporting the ore upto the
Mormugao port.
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6.2.5. The Carrying Capacity of the Mining Region and Capping of Production
Carrying capacity of the mining region has to be worked out before permitting
any mining. The amount of extraction to be permitted in a year shall be determined
keeping in view the holding capacity of the region, and the carrying capacity of roads
and settlement areas. Capping of production shall be done based on holding capacity of
the region, carrying capacity of the region and sustainable period of mining.
6.3. Recommendations
Specific recommendations are presented here. These are based on the entire
research process and the findings from primary surveys. These recommendations build
upon the strengths of the existing official plans, acts and initiatives, and comprehensive
legislations and monitoring systems. Although many are classified under the same
categories as the list of suggestions above, these recommendations are specifically
focused on the need for implementation and effective enforcement of many of the
legislations. It also sets forth new requirements especially with regard to the use of
advanced technologies, mandatory determination of carrying capacity and holding
capacity, and emphasizes the setting up of monitoring cells and expert committees for
implementation processes.
6.3.1. Lease Permits and Buffer Zone
Adequate legal provisions are required to be made in order to exercise the
powers to review old concessions and grants based on the new assessment of mineral
potential.
A clear mapping and demarcation of the protected area, buffer zones as per the
criteria suggested by MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests) and as
recommended by the author at para 5.1.2.10., shall be made as a pre-requisite for
preparing a “sustainable mining plan”. The author recommends that an effective area of
54,135 Hectares of land be brought under the buffer zone, which works out to 44
percent equivalent of total forest area, and 14.62 percent of the entire geographical area
of Goa.
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It is necessary to determine the permissible valid leases that can be permitted to
be mined in the future after following the Eco- Sensitive criteria. The numbers and the
area in each zone or taluka for fixing the production capping has to be determined. No
new environmental clearance are to be sanctioned to the leases which are in protected
areas and Buffer Zones. The working mines which are targeted for termination due to
the application of eco-sensitive zone and buffer zone criteria should have closure plans.
Necessary order has to be issued by competent authority under the relevant legislation
terminating the leases falling within the Eco-Sensitive Zones.
Recommendations made by the Shah Commission shall be implemented
particularly with reference to control of unauthorised mining. Recommendation made
on controlling mining in the Regional Plan for Goa-2021 (final), Release two (2011)
shall be followed as referred in Appendix VI-1.
6.3.2. Agricultural Activities and Compensation
An agriculture expert committee has to be set up to survey, assess and determine
the mining affected fields and suggest remedial measures to revive agriculture in the
region. Establish an authority to deal with all aspects of compensations.
6.3.3. Recommendations for Abandoned or Terminated Mines
All the operating mines which are ordered to be closed shall have a closure plan
and the cost of rehabilitation has to be borne by the mining companies. Clearance to
start any new mine by the mining companies shall be linked to a closure-
plan/rehabilitation plan of the abandoned/terminated/closed mines, failing which, the
respective mining company shall not be permitted to start any mining in other areas.
6.3.4. Recommendations for Tippers and the Impact of Transportation
Monitoring cells to be created in Transport Department to implement the guidelines for
tippers.
With regard to using advanced technologies, all the earth moving heavy
machinery operating in the area or the state of Goa shall be fixed with GPS transmitters
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and their locations and movement shall be monitored by a special authority through live
Google.
6.3.5. The Carrying Capacity of the Mining Region and Capping of Production
Holding capacity of the region has to be mandatorily carried out before
permitting any mining activity in the region based on the formula suggested below:
SM= F [(CC)+(HC)+(SP)]
Sustainable mining = factors of carrying capacity + holding capacity +
sustainable period.
This recommendation also calls for the criteria as provided in Appendix VI- 2 to
be followed and the impact assessment of mining transport on the settlement and
assessment of carrying capacity has to be done as per the procedure and steps indicated
in Chapter 5.1.1.4.
A sustainable planning for a mining region plan has to be prepared by the state
govt., after carefully considering the holding capacity of the region, carrying capacity of
the roads and rivers and sustainable period. The mining plan shall also include
rehabilitation plan, as stipulated in minerals concession rules (MCR) 1960 amended in
2000. Determine the ratio of profit /turnover to be paid to the local self-government
(Village Panchayat’s) as compensation.
6.3.6. Recommendation for Regulatory Framework of Environment and Mining
There are many comprehensive legislations in India, currently being enforced in
the field of environment and mining legislations, which deal with the protection of
forests, wildlife, land use, and prevention and control of water, air and noise pollution in
India. There is no dearth of comprehensive legislations and monitoring systems to
regulate mining activities from the environmental angle either. There is however, a lack
of effective enforcement of the legislations. It is therefore recommended that a
centralised agency empowered with the power to implement and monitor the mining
sector needs to be created.
6.3.7. Other Recommendations
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1. Simplify the procedure for obtaining permission for mining and create a
Single Window Clearance mechanism, after fulfilling the requirements
under all statutory laws, rules and regulations.
2. Establish an independent, empowered organisation with all the powers
exercisable (under all the Statutory Laws) by that organisation, for grant
of approvals, and their monitoring and enforcing.
3. It is recommended that a study of agricultural fields affected by mines till
date and remedial measures to revive the fields shall be initiated by the
govt. which shall cover mapping those areas and assess the damage and
the cost of rejuvenation. The cost shall be recovered as “Agriculture
Cess” from mining companies.
4. There is a need to study legal provisions and provide specific provisions
to determine the surface rights of lease areas/ mined areas, after the lapse
of lease period (30 years)/closed leases/terminated leases /abandoned
leases/in valid leases and legal framework to take over such surface areas
for Eco-Tourism, afforestation, rehabilitation, social Forestry and
landscaping, etc.
5. The total consumption of diesel of tippers on the road works out to 3, 04,
14,401 litres of diesel and the SOx emitted is 1009758 Kgs per annum.
There is a need to study the acceptable level of pollution of SOx in air in
the region. The study can also take into consideration other transport
vehicles, private vehicles and tippers and heavy machinery used within
and around mining pits.
6. All miners shall be encouraged to adopt the sustainable mining approach
as detailed in Appendix V.6.
6.4. Conclusion
The approach of this research focused on evolving an environmentally
sustainable direction for the mining scenario in Goa. Specific attention was given in
detailed studies of selected villages in the mining region, and different categories of
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impacts (agriculture, transportation, health, pollution, etc.) was studied in great detail.
All the relevant existing official plans, policies, Acts, legislations, and recommendations
by various expert committees were studied. All this exhaustive list of information and
data was analyzed to summarize the mining scenario not only all across Goa, but
specifically in the selected villages; to articulate a comprehensive set of suggestions and
recommendations; and to guide further action plans, implementation processes and
policies by planners and decision makers engaged in addressing the impacts from iron
ore mining in Goa. This research emphasizes the need for capping mining at a
sustainable level so that it not only benefits the population dependent on the mining
economy, but also protects the state of the natural environment and the health of the
people living and working in the mining regions. The author recommends 25MMT
annual capping for Goa, as detailed in 5.1.5 and 5.1.5.2 (Refer to Table 5.27).
In this regard, this research recognizes the great strides made in reducing
pollution and increasing the health of the natural environment due to the ban on mining
by the recommendations of the Shah Commission. The gains made by this commission
and various other legislations must be taken forward with alternative plans for
abandoned mines, and by having clarity about valid mining leases.
The recommendations in this research are supported by accurate and extensively
surveyed information and data. These may not be the final solutions in themselves, but
provide adequate information and strong research to evolve specific programs and
initiatives. The National and State Governments, local municipalities, and all planners
and decision making authorities can refer to this research and apply the readily available
data and information contained within.
There may be more interconnected issues that require further investigation to
enhance the aims and objectives set forth by this study. But the research contained here
is based on original surveys and investigations, which provide a strong basis for further
studies and applicable local plans in all the villages of the mining areas in Goa or any
other mining/mineral rich region.