MADHYA PRADESH STATE MINING CORPORATION LIMITED
BICHARPUR COAL BLOCK (An underground Coal Mine)
Sohagpur Coal Field, Tehsil Sohagpur, District Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh
Lease Area 500 ha.
Production capacity : Normative - 0.75 Mtpa,
***
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
&
ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN
***
TEXT, FIGURES, ANNEXURES & PLATES
***
Prepared by
MINENVIRON SYSTEMS PVT. LTD, NAGPUR (Conditionally Accredited as EIA Consultant Organisation by QCI, NABET)
AUGUST, 2012
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT &
ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN For
BICHARPUR COAL BLOCK
CONTENTS
Reference Page
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose of the Report … … 01 1.2 Identification of Project and Project Proponent … … 01 1.3 Project Description … … 02 1.4 Scope of Study … …
02
2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
04
2.1 Type of Project … … 04 2.2 Need of Project … … 04 2.3 Location … … 04 2.4 Size and Magnitude of the Project … … 05 2.5 Proposed Schedule of Approval and Implementation … … 05 2.6 Technology and Process Description … … 05 2.7 Proposed Scientific Studies 12 2.8 Site Services … … 12 2.9 Manpower Requirement 13 2.10 Mitigation Measures Incorporated … … 14 2.11 New Untested Technologies
14
3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT 15
3.1 Study Area & collection of Baseline Environmental Data … … 15 3.2 Landuse of the Study Area 16 3.3 Landuse of Core Zone / Proposed Lease area … … 17 3.4 Water Regime and Hydrogeology … … 17 3.5 Climate … … 19 3.6 Ambient Air Quality … … 21 3.7 Water Quality 24 3.8 Noise Levels 28 3.9 Soil Quality 28 3.10 Bio Diversity 29 3.11 Traffic Survey
31
Contd…
(ii) Reference
para
4.0
ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS & MITIGATION MEASURES 32
4.1 General … … 32
4.2 Land … … 32 4.3 Ambient Air Quality … … 33 4.4 Impact on Water Regime … … 33 4.5 Water Quality- Impact and amelioration … … 33 4.6 Noise … … 34 4.7 Blasting Vibrations … … 34 4.8 Impact on Soil Quality and Ameliorative Measures … … 35 4.9 Biodiversity –Impact and Ameliorative Measures … … 35 4.10 Impact of Transportation … … 35 4.11 Disaster Management Plan
… … 35
5.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES (Technology & Site)
… … 36
6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME
… … 37
6.1 Proposed Environmental Monitoring Programme … … 37 6.2 Environmental Budget … … 38 6.3 Mine Closure Plan and Conceptual Post Mining landuse … … 39 6.4 Green Belt Development
… … 39
7.0 ADDITIONAL STUDIES 40
7.1 Public Consultation … … 40 7.2 Occupational Health Issues … 41 7.3 Risk Assessment 42 7.4 Social Impact Assessment … … 42 7.5 Proposals under Corporate Social Responsibility … … 44 7.6 Baseline Health Data
46
8.0 PROJECT BENEFITS
… … 48
8.1 Additional Supply of Coal .. .. 48 8.2 Technological Benefits … … 48 8.3 Improvement in Social and Physical Infrastructure … .. 48 8.4 Employment Potential … … 49 8.4 Other Tangible Benefits
49
9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
… … 50
10.0 EMP / ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS
… … 51
11.0 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION … … 53 11.1 Project Location and Project Description … … 53 11.2 Description of Environment … … 54 11.3 Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures … … 55 11.4 Environmental Monitoring Programme … … 56 11.5 Additional Studies … … 57 11.6 Project Benefits … … 57 11.7 EMP / Environment Management Plan
… … 57
12.0
DISCLOSURE OF CONSULTANTS ENGAGED … … 59
Contd…
(iii) LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
Paragraph Number
1
:
Location Map
…
1.2.2
2 A : Geological Plan
… 2.6.1 (d)
2 B : Geological Cross Sections
… 2.6.1 (d)
3 A : Project Master Plan … 2.6.2 e (i)
3 B : A Section along Inclines … 2.6.2 e (ii)
4 : Method of Extraction of Pillars … 2.6.2 f (iv)
5 A : Stage plan – I, II and III year … 2.6.2 f (vii) 5 B : Stage plan – X year … 2.6.2 f (vii) 5 C : Stage plan – XX year … 2.6.2 f (vii) 5 D : Stage plan – XXX year … 2.6.2 f (vii) 5 E : Stage plan – XXXXI year
2.6.2 f (vii)
6 Study area map 1:1,25,000
… 3.1.1
7 : Land use / Land cover Map prepared from Satellite Image … 3.2.5
8 : Water Balance Diagram
… 3.4.5
9 A : Wind Rose Diagram 08.30 hrs – Umaria … 3.5.3 d (i) 9 B : Wind Rose Diagram 17.30 hrs – Umaria … 3.5.3 d (i) 9 C Wind Rose Diagram at Site 10 December 2010 to 10 March 2011
… 3.5.3 d (i)
10 : Map showing locations of Air Quality Monitoring Stations
… 3.6.3 (iv)
11 : Map showing locations of Surface and Ground Water Monitoring Station
… 3.7.1 (c)
12 : Map showing locations of Noise level Monitoring Station
… 3.8.2
13 Map showing locations of Soil Quality Monitoring Station
… 3.9.2
LIST OF PLATES
I :
Key Plan on Scale 1::50,000 …
1.4.2 / 2.3.3
II : Premining / Current Landuse Plan for Core Zone … 1.4.2 (b)
II : Map Showing Drainage or Core Zone And Surrounding Area …
3.4.1 (d)
Contd…
(iv)
LIST OF ANNEXURES
ANNEXURES
Paragraph Number
I A :
Letter No. J-11015/308/2010/IA. II(M) dated 23rd
December 2010, prescribing Terms of Reference (TOR)
…
1.1
I B : Certificate of Incorporation
… 1.2.3
II A/1 : Letter No. 13016/8/2007-CA-1 dated 25th July 2007 re allocation of
Coal Block … 1.2.4
II A/2 : Letter No. 13016/8/2007-CA-1 dated 10 August 2007
… 1.2.4
II B : Letter No. 13016/24/2011-CA-I, dated 02 August 2012 approving the Mining Plan
… 2.5.2
III A : Letter of No Objection from Shahdol Municipal Committee dated 01.06.2011
… 2.5.7
III B : Letter No. f-1/636/2011/10-11/3515, dated13.12.2011 forwarding Proposal for Diversion of Forest Land to MoEF
… 2.5.8
IV : List of Equipments proposed to be used
… 2.6.3
V A : Village wise Land use data for study area … 3.2.3
V B : Village wise break up of land of Proposed Lease Area
… 3.3.2
VI A : Long Term Climatological Data –Umaria Meteorological Station … 3.5.2
VI B : Annual Rainfall Data 1994-2005 … 3.5.3 a (i)
VI C : Month wise Rainfall Data … 3.5.3 a (i)
VI D : Month wise Maximum – Minimum Temperature 2001-2005 … 3.5.3 b (i)
VI E : Month wise Relative Humidity at 08.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs, 2001-2005
… 3.5.3 c (i)
VII A : Descriptive location of Air Quality Monitoring Station
… 3.6.3 (iv)
VII B/1 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A1, Bicharpur village … 3.6.6
VII B/2 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A2, Sohagpur village … 3.6.6
VII B/3 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A3, Mahauli Village … 3.6.6
VII B/4 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A4, Khamaria village … 3.6.6 VII B/5 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A5, Fatehpur Village … 3.6.6 VII B/6 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A6, Khurd village … 3.6.6
Contd…
(v)
LIST OF ANNEXURES
ANNEXURES
Paragraph Number
VIII A :
Descriptive listing of Water Quality Monitoring Station …
3.7.1 (c)
VIII B/1 : Water Quality Data – Surface Waters … 3.7.2 (f)
VIII B/2 : Water Quality Data – Ground Waters
… 3.7.2 (f)
IX : Noise Level Monitoring Data
… 3.8.2
X : Soil Quality Data
… 3.9.3
XI A/1 : List of Flora in Core zone … 3.10.6 a (ii)
XI A/2 : List of Herbaceous Species in Core zone … 3.10.6 a (iii)
XI A/3 : List of Flora in Buffer zone … 3.10.6 b
XI B/1 : List of Fauna in Core zone … 3.10.7 a
XI B/2 : List of Fauna in Buffer zone … 3.10.7 b (i)
XII A : Water Requirement of the Mine … 4.4.5
XII B : Conservation Plan for Sch. I Specie – Peafowl … 4.9.5
XIII : Proposed Disaster Management Plan … 4.10
XIV : List of Species for Plantation of Green Belt … 6.4.3
XV A : Proceedings of Public Hearings … 7.1.5
XV B : Risk Assessment of Bicharpur Mine … 7.3.4
XVI A : Yearwise Headwise Details of CSR Plan – Capital Account … 7.5.4
XVI B : Yearwise Headwise Details of CSR Plan – Revenue Account … 7.5.4
BICHARPUR COAL BLOCK FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESMENT
&
ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1
Purpose of the Report
…
01
1.2 Identification of Project and Project Proponent … 01
1.3 Project Description … 02
1.4 Scope of Study … 02
1.1 Purpose of the Report The purpose of preparing the report is to obtain Environment Clearance (EC) for
extraction of coal by underground mining. The application in form prescribed by EIA
Notification, 2006, as amended on 01 December 2009, was submitted in September 2010. The
Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), evaluated the proposed at its meeting held on 22-23
November 2010. The document has been prepared to fulfill the Terms of Reference (TOR)
prescribed by the EAC and communicated vide letter No. J-11015/308/2010.IA.II (M) dated 23rd
December 2010. The said letter is placed at Annexure I A.
1.2 Identification of Project and Project Proponent
1.2.1 The proposed Mining Lease is located south of Shahdol town, the district place, with
Bicharpur village being located in the middle part of the block, in Sohagpur Tahsil of Shahdol
district in the State of Madhya Pradesh.
1.2.2 The land over which block is demarcated belongs to Kalyanpur, Senduri and Bicharpur
villages as well as Shahdol town with slightly less than 50% land area of total lease belonging to
Bicharpur village. The location map as prescribed by TOR, showing the proposed lease is
placed at Figure 1. The allotted block area is 500 ha (5 sq. km.). Out of this area, 75.750 ha is
Protected Forest and 35.061 ha is Revenue forest.
1.2.3 The project proponent is the Madhya Pradesh, State Mining Corporation Ltd., a public
sector company registered under companies Act 1956. The registered office of the company is
located at:
Paryavas Bhawan, Block No. 1(A),
Second floor, Jail Road, Arera Hills,
Bhopal – 462011
The certificate of incorporation of the company is placed at Annexure I B.
1.2.4 The block has been allotted to the Madhya Pradesh State Mining Corporation Ltd
(MPSMC) by Government of India, Ministry of coal vide letter F. No. 13016/8/2007-CA-1 dated
25th
July 2007. The letter was subsequently modified vide letter No. 13016/8/2007-CA-1 dated
10th
August 2007 in respect of column ‘Project Name’ appearing in the Table in Para 1. The
content of this column was changed from “Proposed Power Projects in the State of Madhya
Pradesh” to “For non power sectors / merchandise mining”. These letters are placed at
Annexure II A/1and II A/2 respectively.
01
Figure 1 - Location Map
1.2.5 As per para 2(i) of the letter of allotment, the MPSMCL was permitted to carry out
Prospecting / Exploration and Coal Mining through a separate company, to be created with
participation of M/s. MPSMCL, provided that the separate created company is a Government
company.
1.3 Project Description
1.3.1 The project is proposed to be an underground coal mine with normative capacity
0.75 Mtpa.
1.3.2 The project is necessary to meet increasing demand of coal in the state of Madhya
Pradesh and the country. The coal produced will be despatched by rail. The project is likely to
generate new employment opportunities in this area with improved facilities in health,
educational and village upliftment sectors.
1.3.3 Since it is an underground mine, it is not necessary to acquire full area of the lease. The
mine is planned so that there will not be any surface subsidence. It is proposed to acquire 4.83
ha. land within the lease area and 10.56 ha. outside lease area in Sinduri village for surface
infrastructure and colony.
1.4 Scope of Study
1.4.1 The EAC at its meeting held on 22nd
-23rd
November 2010, has appraised the information
provided, in the application for Environment Clearance, in the prescribed Form. After a
presentation was made by the project proponent, the committee has prescribed Terms of
Reference (TOR) which is placed at Annexure I A.
1.4.2 In order to fulfill the Terms of Reference prescribed following steps have been taken.
a) The key Plan, prepared from SOI toposheets, enclosed with Form 1 application,
was studied in detail to know the physical status of the block area and 10 km radius
buffer zone. The key plan is enclosed as Plate I.
b) The details of individual plots in the block were obtained from revenue
department officials of the Tahsil. There are parts of two compartments of Protected
Forests in the lease area. The details of Revenue Forest were obtained from revenue
department. The current or premining land use of the block area is shown at Plate II.
c) The land use in the 10 km radius from boundary of the lease, buffer zone, was
drawn from 2001 census data. The land use of buffer zone area was also analysed from
recent satellite image obtained from National Remote Sensing Agency.
d) Collection of one season – 13 week Ambient Air Quality Data was also initiated
from 10.12.2010. The data is enclosed and analysed in this document.
e) Water samples and soil samples were collected during the month of December
2010 while noise levels were monitored for continuous 24 hours at six locations during
the same period. The results of analysis of water and soil samples and the noise level
data are enclosed and analysed in this report.
f) A hydro geological study of the core zone and 10 km radius buffer zone area has
also been undertaken. The results are discussed in this document.
02
g) There is 110.811 ha of forest land. Out of 75.750 ha is Protected Forest and
35.061 ha is Revenue forest. A study of Flora and Fauna in Core zone and Buffer zone
has been undertaken. There are a number of Reserved Forest and Protected Forest in
NW, West, South and SE part of buffer zone totalling about 7000 ha.
h) The approved Mining Plan was studied in details to obtain information such as
mode of entry, method of mining, proposed mechanisation and area proposed to be used
for surface infrastructure etc.
i) A Socio Economic Survey of eight villages and Ward No. 29 of Shahdol town,
with one village Bicharpur lying within the proposed lease area, was carried out so that
programme for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), could be prepared for
implementation by the company, after the lease is granted. There was no village and not
even one single hutment was to be disturbed, hence R & R package was not required.
j) The data regarding climate of the area was obtained for Umaria,
Meteorological Station, about 70 km from the proposed lease area.
k) The plan for future development of the Shahdol town was collected from Shahdol
Municipal Council.
The document is based on all the above information and its analysis.
03
2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
2.1
Type of Project
…
04
2.2 Need of Project … 04
2.3 Location … 04
2.4 Size and Magnitude of the Project … 05
2.5 Proposed Schedule of Approval and Implementation … 05
2.6 Technology and Process Description … 05
2.7 Proposed Scientific Studies … 12
2.8 Site Services … 12
2.9 Manpower Requirement … 13
2.10 Mitigation Measures Incorporated … 14
2.11 New-Untested Technologies … 14
2.1 Type of Project
The project is an underground coal mine. It proposes to mine coal by mechanised
underground mining methods at depth varying from 120.5m to 255.6m. The approach to the
underground seams will be through a pair of inclined drifts (tunnels), driven from surface.
2.2 Need of Project The coal is main source of commercial energy available in the country. Due to
inadequate indigenous production, during year 2011, the country is expected to import over 15%
of country’s requirement of coal. The coal produced from the mine will meet additional
requirement of industries, over and above the current linkages.
2.3 Location
2.3.1 The proposed mining lease is located in Sohagpur coalfield in Shahdol district of Madhya
Pradesh. It is located in Survey of India toposheet No. 64 E/7. The geographical location lies
between:
Latitude 23º-16’- 15”N to 23º-17’-30”N
Longitude 81º-20’-30”E to 81º-22’-00”E
2.3.2 The location map showing the proposed lease is placed at Figure 1. The map shows State
of Madhya Pradesh within India, Shahdol district within State Madhya Pradesh and proposed
lease site in enlarged, part plan of Shahdol and surrounding districts.
2.3.3 The specific site of the project is shown in the Key Plan, Plate I, prepared from Survey of
India toposheet on scale 1:50,000. The plan shows 500 ha proposed lease area surrounded by
areas within 10km radius from the proposed block boundary.
2.3.4 There are no eco-sensitive areas like National Parks, Sanctuaries, Elephant Reserves,
Tiger Reserves or migratory routes of Fauna within 50km radius from boundary of the proposed
lease.
04
2.4 Size and Magnitude of the Project
2.4.1 The proposed underground mine will have normative capacity of 0.75 Mtpa. The
proposed capacity will be achieved during 3rd
year. The life of the mine is calculated at 41 years,
including development.
2.5 Proposed Schedule of Approval and Implementation
2.5.1 The block, when allotted, was not prospected fully. Only two boreholes drilled by GSI
had proved occurrence of coal seams. The detailed exploration was carried out and “Geological
Report” prepared by M/s. Naresh Kumar & Co. Pvt. Ltd, on behalf MPSMC Ltd.
2.5.2 The Mining Plan for this underground mine has been submitted to the Ministry of coal
for approval and approval is expected in a couple of months. The approval letter No. 13016/24/2011-CA-I, dated 02 August 2012 is placed at Annexure II B.
2.5.3 The application for Environmental Clearance (EC) in Form 1 was submitted in
September 2010, and was considered by Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) at its meeting held
on 22nd
– 23rd
November 2010. The letter prescribing TOR is placed at Annexure I A.
2.5.4 The collection of Baseline data on Ambient Air Quality, Water Quality, Noise Levels,
Soil Quality and traffic survey has been completed in March 2011 and final report is now
available.
2.5.5 The Socio Economic Survey work has also been completed and report is now available.
The work of hydrogeological survey is in progress.
2.5.6 Since there are forests within the proposed lease area as well as 10km radius buffer zone,
a flora and fauna survey of both core and buffer zone has been completed. The report is now
available.
2.5.7 The plan for underground mining has been brought to the notice of the Urban
Development department of the State Government as well as Shahdol Municipal Council. The
comments of both are placed at Annexure IIIA.
2.5.8 The process for Diversion of the Forest land has been initiated in 2011. The State Govt. ,
vide Letter No. F-1/636/2011/10-11/3515, dated 13.12.2011 has forwarded the Proposal for
Diversion of Forest Land to MoEF . The said letter is attached at Annexure IIIB
2.6 Technology and Process Description
2.6.1 Geology and Exploration
a) Physiography
The area is almost flat terrain, with slightly elevated land going upto level of
483 MSL in the Western area, of the proposed lease. The lowest level of 450 mRL is in
the northern part of the block.
05
b) Drainage
There is one seasonal nalla called Lotna nalla flowing from South to North
almost in the middle of the proposed lease. Near the northern end of the area, it
confluences Murna nalla from east and Bagalna nalla from West. After confluence nalla
going out of lease is called Murna nalla. The latter continues to flow towards north
beyond the 10km radius buffer zone. A number of seasonal nallas also join these three
water courses.
c) Regional Geology
The Sohagpur coalfield is a part of large sedimentary filled Gondwana trough in Son
river basin. The generalized stratigraphic sequence, in this coal field, as per Geological
survey of India is tabulated below
Age Formation / Group Lithology Thickness
Eocene to Upper Cretaceous
Dolerite dykes and sills
Upper Cretaceous
Lameta Beds Reddish and greenish sandstones and nodular limestones
UNCONFORMITY
Upper Gondwana Group
Upper Triassic Mahadeva(?) Pink, buff and red sandstone, red shales, etc
UNCONFORMITY
Lower Gondwana Group
Lower Permian Barakar Coarse to medium grained sandstone, subordinate shales and coal seams
+ 320 m
Lower Permian to Upper Carboniferous
Talchir Diamictite sandstone silstones And needle shales
+ 430 m
UNCONFORMITY
Precambrian Porphyritic granite gneiss with aplite and Pegmatite Veins
Sohagpur coalfield constitutes the middle segment of the Rewa Gondwana basin,
with a regional E-W elongation in conformity with the alignment of the basin belt. The
beds have a general WNW-ESE and to east-west trend, with low dip (1º to 4º) towards
NNE to north.
The Sohagpur basin is composed of 3 well defined sub basinal structures. These
include (1) Jharkhand sub-basin to the east (2) Kotma Jamuna sub-basin in the middle
and (3) Burhar –Amlai sub- basin in the west, separated generally by faulting.
Bamni- Chilpa fault which runs along middle part of the coalfield, is the most
important of the faults, separating these sub basins. A salient feature is the emplacement
of a doleritic sills and dykes along this fault zone.
06
d) Local Geology
The Bicharpur block has generally a simple structure as deciphered on the basis
of surface geological mapping, as well as drilling data. The strike of the beds is
generally EW. The strata are gently dipping with the amount of dip varying from 1º to 4º
towards North. The Geological plan is placed at Figure 2 A. The faults are shown on
Geological Plans as well as cross sections at Figure 2 A and Figure 2 B.
e) Exploration
41 borehole totaling 10820.0m have been drilled during the recent exploration
programme. Two holes totally 610.7m have been drilled earlier by GSI. The drilled
holes intercepted a total of five seams with top – IV seam intersected at depth from
120.48m to 168.45m. The Geological cross sections, based on borehole data, are shown
at Figure 2 B.
f) The sequence of coal seams
Naming of coal seams are in accordance with GSI standard method, starting from
basal most as seam I. In Bicharpur block four coal seams, I, II, III (III A and III B) and
IV are present in ascending order.
Seam I (oldest) is inconsistent and has not been considered for reserves
estimation.
The generalized sequence of seams with their intervening parting is given in table
below
Seam Name Thickness Range (m) With Borehole No.
Min Max
Parting
IV 1.32 (MAB 38) 3.19 (MAB 42)
Parting 57.77 (MAB 22) 68.05 (MAB 2)
III A 0.52 (SBP 10) 6.05 (MAB 15)
Parting 0.66 (MAB 5) 2.74 (MAB 3)
III A / III B 0.05 (MAB 19) 2.48 (SBP 10)
Parting 12.01 (MAB 41) 21.99 (MAB 22)
II 0.32 (MAB 22) 2.28 (MAB 1)
Parting 10.96 (MAB 8) 27.28 (MAB 12)
I 0.15 (MAB 26) 0.75 (MAB 4)
g) Quality
The ash content of the seams varies from 15.56% to 52.3%. The moisture content
varies from 3.58% to 10.05%. The Useful Heat Value (UHV) varies from 1098 kcal per
kg to 5960 kcal per kg with II seam and IV seam having better quality coal. Grade of
coal varies from C to G with average being ‘E’
Three coal samples were analysed for heavy metals. The analysis Results are given in
table below : Sr. No.
Sample Code Ash % S % Hg (ppm)
As (ppm)
Pb (ppm)
Cr (ppm)
1 NL-433(1)/ MAB- 04(C1+C2+D1+C3) 19.15 0.59 0.002 15 ND 50
2. NL-433(1)/MAB-04(C13-C21) 41.96 0.43 0.001 12 ND 40
3. NL-433(1)/(1)/MAB-04(C25-C27) 28.24 0.46 0.001 12 ND 40
The results show that sulphur is (-) 0.6%, which is medium. The heavy metals like Mercury,
Arsenic, Lead and Chromium are very low.
07
h) Faulting
On the basis of difference in lower levels and the reduction of parting between the
seams, four faults have been deciphered in the block. The details of these faults have
been tabulated in the following table.
S. No.
Fault No.
Location of Fault Deciphered in Seams
Trend & Strike
Lengths of Fault
Throw
Evidence Direction
Amount (m)
1 F1-F1 In the southern part of block between BH MAB-19, 17, 3, 8, 38, 2 & MAB-10
IV III II
NNW-SSE
1.60 Km
Towards West
4-15
Noticeable difference in the
floor contour level of seam and depth of
seams on either side of the
faults.
2 F2-F2 In the eastern part of block between BH MAB-28, 30, 37 & 14
IV III II
NW-SE 0.88Km
Towards South
3-5
3 F3-F3 In the eastern part of block between BH MAB-16 & MAB-22
IV III II
NE-SW 0.92Km
Towards North
3-5
4 F4-F4 In the southern limit of block between MAB-13 and MAB-42
IV III II
NE-SW 0.32Km
Towards South
15
The local seams encountered in the boreholes have been correlated along the
strike of the seam, taking II seam as base, which is developed throughout the block.
i) Reserves
For reserves estimation Seam II, III, and IV have been considered, as all these
three seams are fairly well developed in whole of the block. Calculation of reserves has
been done by isochore method.
The seam wise summary of the reserves is given below. 5% have been deducted
from gross reserves to arrive at net insitu reserves.
(Fig in Mt)
Seam Gross insitu
Reserves 5% Deduction Net In-situ Proved Reserves
IV 14.59 0.73 13.86
IIIA 28.85 1.44 27.41
II 12.76 0.64 12.12
Total 56.20 2.81 53.39
08
Thus a total of 53.39 Mt will be available for underground mining. The deposit have
been evaluated through Minex Software using 3D solid modelling. The reserves arrived at are
53.31Mt which tallies very well with the reserve calculated by isochore method.
j) Mineable Reserves & Life of Mine
i) The mineable reserves have been arrived at as under :
Seam Net Geo
Reserves Reserves in seam
thickness less than 1.2m
Losses in boundary, Faults
etc.
Net Extractable Reserves
IV 13.86 0.13 0.83 12.90
III A 27.41 0.16 1.512 25.74
II 12.12 0.50 0.777 10.94
TOTAL 53.39 0.79 3.119 49.58
ii) The mineable reserves have been calculated by taking into account various
losses. The IV seam i.e. topmost seam will not be depillared, only developed, while other
will be partially extracted. Thus the seam wise coal extracted will be as under
IV seam 3.13 Mt, III seam 18.07 Mt, II seam 7.92 Mt = Total 29.12 Mt
At production of 0.75 Mt per year life of the mine will 39 year. Including two
years for initial development, the life of the mine will be 41 years.
2.6.2 Mining
a) Although the Bicharpur block has geological occurrence of five seams, namely
IV, III B, III A, II and I. Only three IV, III A and II have workable thickness. Seams III
B and I do not have workable thickness. Opencast mining is totally ruled out due to total
thickness of coal seams available in the proposed lease, is quite low as compared
thickness of overburden and partings etc.
b) Thus, underground mining is only the option. There are total of four faults with
two having throws varying from 4m to 15m. While other two have throw of 3m to 4m.
Hence, these are not constraint to mechanised mining.
c) The underground mining has two options namely Longwall mining using Shearer
for coal winning and shields as roof support. However, limited reserves do not justify
investments required for Longwall mining, besides seam thickness have substantial
variation. The deposit geometry is not convenient to have longwall faces with sufficient
length and continuity.
d) Thus mechanised Bord and Pillars method has been chosen to work the mine.
The workable seams namely IV, III A and II are non contiguous thus they can be
extracted top down ward.
09
e) Approach / Mine Entries
i) To produce 0.75 Mtpy or 2500 tpd, providing two independent shafts for coal
evacuation will need very high capital investment. Hence it is proposed to have two
inclined entries located in South West region as shown at Figure 3A, Project Master
Plan.
ii) A pair of common inclines will be driven at gradient of 1 in 5, from SW to NE
direction, touching IV seam a depth of 130 m to 140m, at a distance of 800 m. The
inclines will continue further to touch III seam at 1100 m and II seam at 1200m. The two
inclines will be cross connected at 50m interval. A section at inclines is shown at
Figure 3B. Ultimate depth of mine will be 270 m.
iii) The same entries shall provide access to all the three seams. Both inclines will be
4.8 m wide X 3.0 m height. For ventilation, a 5 m dia shaft will be sunk to a depth of
135m upto IV seam. A separate stable pit of 80m depth will connect all the three seams
for return airway. Location of shaft is shown at Figure 3 A. While both shaft and staple
pit are shown at Figure 3 B.
f) Method of Mining
i) The mine has been planned on Bord or Pillar method with gallery width of 4.8m
and working heights of 1.9m for IV seam, 3.5m for seam III A and 1.8m for seam II.
Pillars will have size of 40m X 40m Centre to Centre. Higher pillar size of 40m X 40m
has been chosen so that factor of safety of 2 is provided for safety of pillars.
ii) The entire mine will be developed on this pattern in all the three seams.
Vertically shall be maintained i.e. gallery below gallery and Pillar below pillars, in all the
three seams.
iii) The method of mining is so planned that there will be no subsidence on surface.
Hence surface features like forest, villages, Nalla / water courses and roads etc are not
affected. However in the NW corner, there are no surface features and hence complete
extraction has been planned in one panel; in all the three seams.
iv) The seam IV will be only developed and left standing on pillars. Seam III A and
seam II will be worked by a method called Non-Effective Width (NEW) extraction
method. In this method the panel width is such that fall of roof after extraction does not
reach the surface. The method of extraction of pillars is shown at Figure 4.
v) Thus in seam III A and seam II, a panel will have width of two pillars leaving
barriers of one pillar row. There is no restriction of length of such panels.
vi) With this method of extraction there will be no perceptible subsidence below any
surface feature.
vii) The stage wise position of mine is depicted in Figures 5 A to 5 E.
10
g) Roof Support
The physico-mechanical properties of the rock have been tested. The results
indicate that roof bolts, 1.8m in length, with resin capsule anchorage, placed at 1.2m
interval will be adequate support. However a Scientific Agency will be engaged after
start of Mining operations to determine RMR so as to frame the support standards.
Systematic support Rules will be drafted and DGMS approval will be obtained for
‘Standard Support Rules’ (SSR).
2.6.3 Mechanisation
For this fully mechanised mine, the mechanisation planned includes, two sets of
continuous miners with shuttle cars and multi roof bolters for both development and
depillaring. Coal from production faces will be evacuated through a feeder breaker on to
a system of belt conveyors. The list of machinery proposed to be used is placed at
Annexure IV.
2.6.4 Ventilation
a) It is proposed that both the inclines will be used for intake air while the shaft will
be used for return air. The exhaust fan will be installed at upcast shaft.
b) An exhaust fan with capacity of 150m3/ sec will be installed at upcast shaft. The
fan will have 100-67mm Water Gauge (WG) with 250 KW motor.
c) Face ventilation shall be ensured by forcing auxiliary fans with capacity of
120m3/sec, 100mm WG, with 750mm dia ventilation ducts. 12 nos. of auxiliary fans are
being provided.
2.6.5 Drilling and Blasting
No drilling and blasting is proposed or required. However, provision has been made for a
small LHD mining district for emergent operation.
A small two tonne magazine will be provided at surface for storing explosives and
accessories.
2.6.6 Pumping
a) The pumping capacity will be based on hydrogeological study which is in
progress. However, preliminary result indicates that there may not be heavy make of
water in the mine. Hence, to start with it is proposed to have pumping capacity of 75 l
per second.
b) The pumps proposed to be provided are given below:
i) Face Pumps 11 LPs 30 m Head…….8 Nos.
ii) Auxiliary 38 LPs pumps x 100 m head……10 Nos.
iii) Mid sump pumps – 38 LPs x 200 m head…..4 Nos.
iv) Main pumps 38 Lps x 300 M head…..2 Nos.
11
2.6.7 Coal Preparation and Coal Despatch
a) Coal from underground shall be transported by the main belt conveyor to a 200 t
capacity overhead bunker. The coal will be loaded into 20/30 t capacity closed body
dumpers and transported to railway siding about 2 km away where it will stocked, in a
coal stock yard as necessary.
b) No pit head washery or crushing is proposed
2.7 Proposed Scientific Studies
It is proposed to undertake several scientific studies for proper design and safe working
of the mine. These will include
i) Determination of RMR
ii) Crossing Point, Ignition point and incubation period of all three seams separately
iii) Gasiness of seams for each seam separatly, as soon as mining operations are
started.
iv) Studies to determine width of splits and ribs while depillaring.
2.8 Site Services
2.8.1 Although Shahdol town with considerable infrastructural facilities is located on northern
boundary of the proposed lease, for smooth operation of the project it is necessary that sufficient
infrastructural facilities are developed at the project site. These are outlined below:
2.8.2 Workshop, Warehouse
The complex will include repair bays for equipment, a washing bay, store room,
inspection pits, engine repair room, electrical repair room and light vehicle repair facility. The
workshop will have a well equipped machine shop and it will be used to repair both parts and
assemblies. However, major equipment overhauls and capital repairs will be outsourced. The
store will be properly designed to store both fast moving spares as well as slow moving ones. An
Effluent Treatment plant to remove grease and oil will be provided.
2.8.3 Power Supply
The estimated power requirement of the project is 4 MVA. The power will be received
through 33 KV overhead line of Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board to main surface station,
where it will be stepped down to 3.3 KV and 440 V / 550V for different usage. The underground
will have two substations of 1 MVA each.
2.8.4 Water Supply
The mine is expected to require 130 m3/kl of water per day including soft water for
cooling of continuous miner. Initially for two / three years this will be drawn from borewells
drilled. Later on when pumping starts from mine, the same will be appropriately treated and
used. Colony will need 240 m3 per day of water. The pumped mine water will be treated and
supplied.
2.8.5 Sewarage Disposal and Effluent Treatment
The sewerage disposal at mine site will be through septic tanks while a treatment plant
will be provided at the colony. The workship effluent will be treated through on ETP.
12
2.8.6 Communication
The system will provide for reporting, monitoring voice communication between surface
and underground, external communication through telephone, Mobile phones and email.
2.8.7 The other infrastructure will include Administrative office, Mine Operating Office near
inclines, Lamp room, First aid room cum dispensary, Rescue room, Canteen, Vocational
Training Centre, Garage for vehicles etc.
2.8.8 The surface infrastructure, including colony, will be spread over 15.39 ha area, 4.83 ha
within the proposed lease and 10.56 ha adjoining land outside the lease. A Project Master Plan
shown surface land acquired with infrastructure facilities is placed at Figure 3A.
2.9 Manpower Requirement 2.9.1 The mine will be operated six days on week for three shifts per day. Out of these two
will be production shift while one shift will be for maintenance. The manpower requirement is
estimated under
Sr. No. Category Nos. % of total workers
a) Underground
i) Officers 30 5.2
ii) Supervisory staff 70 12.1
iii) Highly skilled 200 34.7
iv) Skilled 100 17.3
v) Semiskilled 60 10.4
vi) Unskilled 30 5.2
Sub Total 490 84.9
b) Surface
i) Production services 22 3.8
ii) Workshop stores & others 30 5.2
iii) Despatch 25 4.4
iv) Medical 10 1.7
Sub Total 87 15.1
Grand Total 577 100.0
c) The output per Man Shift (OMS) will be 5.15 overall and 6.06 underground.
2.9.2 Colony
The project is located on the outskirts of Shahdol city, where ample housing facilities are
available. However, to ensure availability of key personnel, a colony with 350 houses is
proposed. This will accommodate 90% of officers, supervisory personnel and highly skilled and
skilled manpower. The colony will be located south of mine working over 10.56 ha of land as
show at Figure 3A. Colony will require 240 m3 water per day which will be mine water
appropriately treated.
13
2.10 Mitigation Measures Incorporated
a) The mine is a deep underground mine and hence environmental impacts will be
minimum.
b) The workings are so designed that there will be no perceptible subsidence at
surface. So only 15.39 ha land will be affected.
c) The dust suppression underground is prescribed under Coal Mines Regulations
1957 which will be meticulously implemented.
d) Green belt of sufficient width will be developed separately around mine openings
and surface infrastructure and also of colony.
e) No coal beneficiation or crushing / screening plant is proposed. Coal will be
transported by closed trucks to siding about 2km away from where it will be despatched
by Rail.
2.11 New Untested Technologies
There are no new or untested technologies proposed to be used at this mine. The
management proposes to enter into contract with suppliers of continuous Miners for training of
operators and maintenance staff so that there is no risk of technological failure.
14
3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
3.1
Study Area & collection of Baseline Environmental Data
…
15
3.2 Landuse of the Study Area … 16
3.3 Landuse of Core Zone / Proposed Lease area … 17
3.4 Water Regime and Hydrogeology … 17
3.5 Climate … 19
3.6 Ambient Air Quality … 21
3.7 Water Quality … 24
3.8 Noise Levels … 28
3.9 Soil Quality … 28
3.10 Bio Diversity … 29
3.11 Traffic Survey
… 31
3.1 Study Area & Collection of Baseline Environmental Data
3.1.1 The study area of 10km radius, from boundary of the proposed lease, is depicted at Plate
I, Key Plan. The plan has been prepared from Survey of India toposheets on scale 1:50,000.
Figure 6 is study area map on scale 1:2,50,000
3.1.2 The collection of Baseline data in the field, for ambient air quality, water quality, noise
levels, soil quality and traffic survey was started from 10th
December 2010. Prior to starting the
work, a reconnaissance survey of the proposed lease area and buffer zone was undertaken during
last week of November 2010. The survey was carried out, by the EIA co-ordinator, with a view
to locate various monitoring stations. The Air Quality monitoring was carried out for 13
continuous weeks while water samples, soil samples and noise level data was collected during
December 2010.
3.1.3 The hydrogeological study was partly carried out and ground water data was collected
during prospecting operations. The water levels of the wells were monitored during summer and
post monsoon seasons of 2011.
3.1.4 A list of Census villages in core zone and 10km radius buffer zone was prepared from
Administrative Atlas, Census of India 2011 for state of Madhya Pradesh, published by
Directorate of Census Operations of the state. This enabled to draw a complete list of Census
villages, including those not shown on toposheets. CD’s of Census data 2001 were utilized to
tabulate demographic, vocational, land use and amenities data for all the listed villages.
3.1.5 Flora and fauna survey of the area was commissioned during January 2011 field work
was started during May 2011 and completed during August 2011.
3.1.6 A socio-economic study of eight surrounding villages and one ward of Shahdol town was
undertaken for drawing out a detailed project specific schemes for Socio-economic benefits
under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
3.1.7 The status of present environment, described below, is based on critical analysis of all the
above data.
15
3.2 Land Use of the Study Area
3.2.1 There are a total of 78 Census villages and one Urban area – Shahdol, the district place,
within the study area. Out of these 78 villages, 52 villages are part of Sohagpur Tahsil of
Shahdol district and 26 villages are part of Bandhogarh Tahsil of Umaria district. The only
urban area is town Shahdol, the district place.
3.2.2 The total land area of these villages is 34,165 as per 2001 Census. The land area of
villages in Census data includes revenue or village forests as part of village lands. The areas of
Protected and Reserved forests which are not included in census data were measured from Key
Plan at 6956 ha. Thus the total area of buffer zone comes to 41,121 ha.
3.2.3 The land use of buffer zone area, as calculated from Census data 2001 is as under.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Type of land use Area in ha
--------------------------------------------------------------------
a) Forest 8,290
b) Cultivated land (irrigated) 1,819
c) Cultivated land (unirrigated) 18,037
d) Culturable Waste land 2,658
e) Area not available for cultivation 3,361
-------------------------------------------------------
Sub Total 34,165
-------------------------------------------------------
f) Measured Area of Reserved and
Protected Forest 6,956
-------------------------------------------------------
Grand Total 41,121
================================
The village wise break up land for villages in study area / buffer zone, drawn from
Census 2001 data, is given in Annexure VA.
3.2.4 Above data indicates that 48.3% or 19,856 ha land is cultivated, while forests account for
15,246 ha or 37.0% of total land area of buffer zone. The cultarable waste land accounts for
6.4% while land not available for cultivation accounts for balance 8.3%.
3.2.5 Land use map of Study area on scale 1:1,25,000 based on recent satellite image is placed
at Figure 7. This image, when analysed gave following results about type of land. The total
area measured was 40,467ha against 41,121ha as per the Census data. The difference, 654 ha or
1.6% of land area as per census data, is negligible. The land use break up of Census data and
satellite image data is compared below: Sr. No.
2001 Census (ha) Analysis of Satellite image (ha)
i) Forest Revenue, RF & PF 15246 8188*
ii) Agriculture / Cultivated 19856 21169
iii) Waste land 2658 8804
iv) Land not available for cultivation 3361 2306**
Total 41121 40467
* Includes plantation,
** Includes rivers, water bodies and built up area
16
FIGURE 7: LANDUSE/ LANDCOVER OF THE BUFFER ZONE
The large difference in forest land, is due to degraded condition of Revenue forests,
which are accounted for as waste lands.
3.3 Land Use of Core Zone / Proposed lease area
3.3.1 The 500 ha proposed lease area, is spread over lands belonging four villages. The break
of the land area is given below:
Sr. No. Type of land ha
a) Private Agricultural land 319.457
b) Govt. Revenue Non Forest land 69.732
c) Govt. Revenue Forest land 35.061
d) Protected Forest 75.750
Total 500.000
3.3.2 The village wise break up of land in proposed lease area is given at Annexure VB.
3.3.3 Only 15.39 ha land belonging to villages Bicharpur and Singuri will be acquired for
approach to underground workings and surface infrastructure. Out of this land, 4.83 ha. is within
proposed lease and rest is outside. The whole 15.39 ha. land will acquired before start of project.
The mine being underground one and extraction of coal is being planned without surface
subsidence, balance land will remain undisturbed.
3.4 Water Regime and Hydrogeology
3.4.1 Surface Drainage
a) The core zone area has plane topography with gentle slope towards north.
Although elevation of core zone varies from 450mRL to 482 mRL, the major part is
between 450 mRL to 460 mRL. There are hillocks in the South Western part going upto
482 mRL.
b) The buffer zone or study area, the topography is of plane country with hillocks in
the west, SW and South going beyond 500mRL. The study area also gently slopes
toward north.
c) Except Murna nalla, there are no perennial water courses in the area. Even Murna
nalla have very little water flowing in the dry season. The drainage of area is controlled
by Son river which flows outside the buffer zone on east side.
d) A map showing drainage within four km area around the block is placed at
Plate III.
3.4.2 Ground Water -
a) The Shahdol district has poor ground water resources except where Gondwana
formations occur. The tube wells in Gondwana formations ranges from 80m to 300m in
depth with water yields varying from meagre to 10 lps. The ground water is mainly used
for domestic and irrigation purposes.
17
b) The ground water occurs in the inter granular pore spaces of sandstones in semi
consolidated sediments of Gondwana formations. The block has stratified leaky
acquifer system. The acquifer system consists of Sandstones, medium to course grained
with double porosity system. One porosity system is primary porosity of inter granular
void spaces and other being secondary porosity formed due to fractures. The intensity of
fracturing and the resultant increase in ground water potential is fairly pronounced in the
incrop areas of coal seams, than at depth.
c) The ground water recharge of core zone, having an area 5 sq km, was calculated
at 0.64 MCM by rainwater recharge on method and 0.45 MCM by water level fluctuation
method. The ground water levels, with 21 nos. of wells surveyed, were 4.37 m bgl to
9.02 m bgl during pre monsoon and 1.54 m bgl to 6.48 m bgl during post monsoon. The
average water level fluctuation was 3.0 m.
d) The present ground water usage in core zone for domestic irrigation purposes is
0.124 MCM which is expected to increase by 0.046 MCM over next 25 years. The
present ground water development in core zone is 21%, which is in safe zone.
e) The core zone has been calculated to have static reserves of 39 MCM. The
ground water recharge will increase from 0.45 MCM to 0.66 MCM due to increased
percolation because of underground Mining Operations. The annual withdrawal of
water through Mine Pumping is estimated at 1.5 MCM. Thus, there will be additional
withdrawal of 0.84 MCM from core zone every year of life of the underground mine.
During 41 years of life of mine 34.44 MCM will be drawn from static reserves. Thus at
the time of closure of mine the static water balance will be 4.56 MCM, which is positive
balance.
f) Out of 1.50 MCM water pumped by mine only : 0.13 MCM will be utilized by the
mine and colony. Balance 1.37 MCM would be made available to the villages in core
zone.
g) The buffer zone has an area of 405 sq. km., comprising of 81 sq. km. of
metamorphic rocks and 324 sq. km. of Gondwana formation. The gross ground water
recharge by rainfall infiltration method in calculated at 43.65 MCM. The present
ground water draft is 8.59 MCM. The projected requirement over next 25 years is
2.99 MCM. The present ground water usage in buffer zone is 21.86 % which is in safe
zone. This will increase to 11.58 MCM or 29.47 which still will be in safe zone.
h) The ground water recharge in buffer zone is 43.65 MCM as calculated by rainfall
infiltration method and 42 MCM as calculated by water level fluctuation method. The
ground water levels measured for 49 wells varied between 4.75 m bgl to 16.70 m bgl
premonsoon and 0.30 m bgl to 9.90 m bgl during post monsoon.
i) The water balance diagram for buffer zone is placed at Figure 8.
18
Figure 8 – WATER BALANCE DIAGRAME
3.4.3 a) The water pumped out of proposed underground mine has been estimated as
under:
i) During driving of inclines – 160 m3 to 1173 m
3 per day
ii) During sinking of shaft – 340 m3
to 7938 m3 per day
iii) During working of underground 2880 m3
to 5768 m3
per day
iv) Average 3840 m3
per day
b) The radius of Influence during working of mine will vary from 106 m to 678 m
while it will reduce to 476 m after closure of Mining Operations. The model radius of
mine area is 1261 m. Thus for all practical purpose the area influence may not go beyond
the mining lease boundary. The impact beyond the northern (dip side) boundary of the
lease may be restricted to 500 m due to presence of Murna nallah.
3.5 Climate:
3.5.1 i) The climate of the area is marked by warmer day temperatures through out the
year. The maximum daily temperatures at nearest Meteorological Station Umaria, the
adjoining district place exceed 25ºC except during months of December and January.
The day temperatures during the months of May generally exceed 40ºC, while these are
below 40ºC for other summer months. The lowest temperature usually goes below 10ºC
during months of December and January.
ii) The nearest Meteorological Station at Umaria, which was set up in April 1931,
is about 65 km away.
iii) The long-term Climatological data for period 1951 to 1980, has been extracted
from the book ‘Meteorological Table 1951-1980’ published by the Meteorological
Department (IMD). The data including Wind Rose for period after 1980 till 2010 is
obtained on payment.
3.5.2 The data extracted from the above publication is presented in two pages at
Annexure VI A. The salient features of the data are summarised below:
i) The mean daily maximum temperature varied between 24.8ºC to 41.3ºC while
highest temperature of 45.6ºC was recorded on two occasions, on 25 May 1954 and 09
January 1966. The maximum temperature above 40ºC were recorded during months of
April, May and June. November to February are winter months with temperature going
below 10ºC, particularly during December and January. Lowest temperature of 0.0ºC
was recorded on 16th
January 1933.
19
ii) The relative humidity varied between 27% to 88%. The lowest recorded relative
humidity was always 30% and above except during months April and May. Due to large
part of surrounding area being forest, the weather generally was humid.
iii) The average annual rainfall for the 30 year period was 1235.0 mm while average
number of rainy days were 60.2. 89.3% of rainfall occurred during four months period
from June to September each year. Rainfall occurring during months of November to
May was averaged less than 20mm. The maximum rainfall during 24 hour period,
365 mm, occurred on 19th
August 1923.
3.5.3 Data on rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind velocity, wind direction and
weather phenomenon was also collected for period after 1994 for Umaria Meteorological
Station. All these parameters were also recorded during 13 week monitoring of baseline
data from 10.12.2010 to 09.03.2011. Both these are summarised below:
a) Rainfall
i) The average annual rainfall during the eleven year period 1994 to 2005 (excluding
1997), was 1277.11mm. The yearwise rainfall for 12 year period with no. of rainy days
and maximum 24 hrly rainfall is placed at Annexure VI B. This average is about 3.4%
higher that average between 1951 to 1980. The highest rainfall recorded was 1775.7 mm
during 2005 while lowest was 832.6 mm during 1995. 86.7% rainfall was recorded
during four month period from June to September. Monthwise rainfall data is placed at
Annexure VI C.
Some rainfall is recorded almost every month during period 1994-2005 with
rainless months numbering very few.
ii) During the 13 week monitoring period from 10.12.2010 to 10.03.2011, no rainfall
was recorded.
b) Temperature
i) The monthwise maximum – minimum temperature for five year period 2001 to
2005 is placed at Annexure VI D. The maximum temperature recorded varied from
28.2ºC to 45.7ºC. Temperature above 40ºC was recorded during month April, May and
June for all five years. The minimum temperature recorded varied from 0.0ºC to 21.1ºC
Temperature below 10ºC were recorded during months from October to March. The
minimum temperatures recorded were higher during year 2005 than previous four years.
ii) During the 13 week monitoring period from 10.12.2010 to 10.03.2011, the
maximum temperature recorded was always above 19ºC while minimum temperature
recorded was usually below 12ºC during December, January and February. The
maximum temperature recorded was between 19.3ºC to 34.1ºC while minimum
temperature recorded was -0.7ºC to 12.0ºC in December, January and February and
above 10ºC during March. The minimum temperatures recorded were higher than earlier
years.
20
c) Relative Humidity
i) The monthwise mean relative humidity at 08.30 and 17.30 hrs is placed at
Annexure VI E for five years from 2001 to 2005. The mean relative humidity at 08.30
hrs was above 45% for all the months except April and May of each year. The relative
humidity was always lower at 17.30 hrs. The lower relative humidity was recorded
during months of April and May and lowest Figure of 19% was recorded during April
and May 2005.
ii) The relative humidity recorded during the 13 week period varied between 19% to
97%. However humidity below 20% was recorded only once.
d) Wind Velocity and Wind Direction
i) The wind velocity and wind direction data was available for period 1976-1991 for
Umaria Meteorological station. The wind velocity and wind direction was recorded
twice a day, at 8.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs. These are placed at Figure 9 A and Figure 9 B
respectively. The wind rose diagram, prepared from data collected for 24 hrs period,
over 13 weeks from 10.12.2010 to 09.03.2011 is placed at Figure 9 C.
ii) The wind velocities are usually below 5 kmph during the months from October to
January each year. The higher, more than 5 kmph, velocities are recorded a few times
during February and March. The number of time higher velocities are recorded go on
increasing from April and continue till September i.e. during premonsoon and Monsoon.
iii) The calm periods ore very low, below 7% from April to September each year.
They increase to between 12% to 20% from till March. But overall calm periods are
lower.
iv) The predominant wind direction is from West, South and SW from October to
February. It changes, from S, W, SW and NW during months from March to September.
v) During 13 week monitoring period, the wind velocities were below 5kmph for
74.5% of time while Calm periods accounted for 19.5% of time. Only 6.0% of time the
wind velocities were between 06-10 kmph. No wind velocities above 10 kmph was
recorded. The predominant wind direction was from North 14.4% and from East
(10.8%).
3.6 Ambient Air Quality
3.6.1 The generation of ambient air quality data, for study area of Bicharpur Coal Block, was
out sourced to M/s. Nilawar Laboratories, Nagpur. They are in process of obtaining
accreditation for their laboratory.
3.6.2 The monitoring was carried out for one season winter, for 13 continuous weeks beginning
10 December 2010 to 09 March 2011. The parameters monitored for Air Quality were as per
MOEF Gazette notification No. G.S.R. 826(E) dated 16th
November 2009.
21
Calm
N
EW
S
%
1 - 5 11 - 156 - 10 16 - 20
Wind speed in Kmph
19.5 %
N.T.S
6.9%
3.8%14.4%
5.1%
6.9%
4.2%
10.8%
3.9%
6.3%
2.4%
3.1%
1.5%
2.7%
1.8%
3.6%
3.1%
NNWN
NNE
NE
ENE
E
ESE
SE
SSE
SSSW
SW
WSW
W
WNW
NW
Calm
FIGURE – 9C: WIND ROSE DIAGRAM at Site 10 December 2010 to 10 March 2010
3.6.3 Location of Monitoring Stations
i) The core zone and buffer zone area was traversed for nearly five hours on one
day. The core zone area has undulating topography with elevation varying from
450 mRL to 482 mRL. The buffer zone area has midly undulating topography,
slopping from south to north. Some hillocks going upto 482m occur in Southern part of
the block.
ii) There are two Protected Forest areas in Core zone with a few revenue forests.
The Buffer zone has Govt. revenue forests and a number of Reserved and Protected
forest. The forest areas within the lease are degraded.
iii) Hence, Ambient Air Quality stations were selected on the basis of two main
criteria, namely accessibility and area being open. Since the mine will be an underground
mine, six air quality monitoring stations, including one station inside the lease, were
selected.
iv) The location of Air Quality Monitoring Stations is listed at Annexure VII A and
depicted at Figure 10.
v) Meteorological data was monitored during the same 13 week period.
3.6.4 Monitored Parameters
The parameters monitored were Particulate Matter (-)10 µ (PM 10), Particulate Matter
(-) 2.5µ (PM 2.5), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO),
Ozone (O3), Lead (Pb), Ammonia (NH3), Benzene (C6H6), Benzo-a Pyrene (BaP), Arsenic (As)
and Nickel (Ni) as prescribed vide GSR 826(E) dated 16th
November 2009.
3.6.5 Dust fall was recorded at two locations namely Bicharpur village, and Shahdol town near
State Bank of India. The first one was within the lease, while second one was 7.0km north west
of proposed lease area in the buffer zone.
3.6.6 Findings
The ambient air quality data for six stations for 13 continuous weeks is placed at
Annexure VII B/1 to Annexure VII B/6. The data is analysed below:
a) Particulate Matter (–) 10µ (PM10)
The position regarding (-) 10µ Particulate Matter is highly satisfactory at all the
six locations. All the 24 hrly values at four stations namely Bicharpur village (A-1)
which one is in proposed mine lease area, Majhauli village (A-3), Khamariya village (A-
4) and Khurd village (A-6) were below 43µg/m3, Fatehpur village (A-5) is slightly higher
than 44µg/m3. At the remaining one station namely Sohagpur village (A-2) the values is
were below 48.5.0µg/m3. The 24 hrly prescribed limit is 100µg/m
3. The 13 week
average values at five stations A-1, A-3, A-4, A-5 and A-6 were below 39µg/m3 while at
remaining station A2 was below 49µg/m3. This is to be compared with annual average
limit of 60µg/m3. The station A2 was located near the state highway with fairly high
traffic passing through the area, which perhaps explains the higher values. A percentile
analysis of six stations 13 week data is presented below:
22
FIGURE – 10
MAP SHOWING LOCATIONS OF AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS
Percentile / Station A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6
50 40.0 43.9 36.7 35.1 37.0 38.7
95 41.8 47.7 41.0 39.6 43.1 41.4
98 41.9 48.1 41.4 39.9 43.8 42.1
13 week average 39.0 43.6 37.0 35.5 37.8 38.1
Permissible limit of Annual average 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0
24 hrly maximum recorded value 41.9 48.4 41.6 40.1 44.1 42.6
24 hrly permissible limit 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
b) Particulate Matter (-) 2.5 µ (PM 2.5)
The position regarding Particulate Matter (-) 2.5µ is also very satisfactory. 132,
24 hourly values out of total 156, are below 15µg/m3, against 24 hrly limit of 60µg/m
3.
The remaining 24 values do not exceed 18.6µg/m3. Out of these 24 values exceeding
15.0µg/m3, 23 were recorded at one station namely A2, The 13 week average values at
five stations namely A1, A3, A4, A5 and A6 were below 13.0 µg/m3 against annual
average limit of 40µg/m3. A percentile analysis of six stations, 13 week data is presented
below:
Percentile / Station A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 46
50 12.6 17.3 12.3 11.8 12.6 12.8
95 13.6 18.3 13.2 13.0 14.2 14.1
98 13.7 18.5 13.3 13.2 14.8 14.3
13 week average 12.5 17.0 12.3 11.8 12.7 12.8
Permissible limit of Annual average 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0
24 hrly maximum recorded value 13.7 18.6 13.4 13.2 15.2 14.3
24 hrly permissible limit 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0
All these values represent a typical rural area in the country, without much of
polluting sources.
c) Nitrogen Dioxide
The presence of nitrogen dioxides at all six station was found to be below
12.5µg/m3. In fact at five stations A1, A3, A4, A5 and A6 all the observed values were
below 10µg/m3 and at remaining one station A2 is slightly higher than 10µg/m
3, which is
12.4µg/m3. The 24 hrly limit being 80µg/m
3. These are not at all significant. The 13
week average values are at all the six stations was below 10.2µg/m3, against annual
average limit of 40µg/m3.
The percentile analysis of this data will serve no purpose, for such low values.
The only known sources of oxides of nitrogen in the area is vehicle traffic on the roads.
23
d) Sulphur Dioxide
The levels of Sulphur Dioxides are also very low. Only two, 24 hrly
observations, out of 156, exceed 10µg/m3, against 24 hrly limit of 80µg/m
3. The 13 week
average values, for all six locations are below 10.2µg/m3, against annual average limit of
50µg/m3.
The percentile analysis of this data, will serve no purpose because of such low
values.
e) Carbon Monoxide
The carbon monoxide was found only in traces at two stations namely A2 and A5,
all of which are located near roads with fairly heavy traffic. No carbon monoxide was
detected at other four stations. These values were less than 0.2 mg/m3 against permissible
limit of annual average being 2.0 mg/m3.
f) Ozone, Ammonia, Benzene & Benzo (a) Pyrene
A few representative samples from these six stations were analysed, but none of
these gases or compounds were found. Thus they were either absent or below detectable
limit for each and every sample.
g) Toxic Metals – Mercury, Lead, Nickel & Arsenic
Representative samples from all six stations were collected and tested for above
toxic metals. These were found to be either absent on below detectable level for each and
every sample.
3.6.7 Overall ambient air quality is good and confirming to a rural area where there are no
polluting sources except vehicular traffic on roads.
3.6.8 Dust fall
The monitoring for dustfall was carried out at two locations namely Bicharpur village (A-
1) and Shahdol City (near State Bank of India). The latter was located near a state highway
passing through the city. The dust fall was recorded for continuous one month. The values
recorded were 5.2 tonnes / km2 / month and 14.8 tonnes / km
2 / month. The latter value is more
due to location near hlighway.
The recorded dustfall rates are nearer the lower values reported in literature for India
5–1350 tonne / km2 / month, reported by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute
(NEERI). (Ref – Air Quality Monitoring – A Course Manual – 1982 – NEERI)
3.7 Water Quality
3.7.1 a) The Water Quality was also investigated by M/s. Nilawar Laboratories, Nagpur.
They are in process of getting accreditation / approval of the laboratory from MOEF.
b) The water quality data was generated during winter. The water samples were
collected during the month of December 2010, from all sources.
24
c) Annexure VIII A, give descriptive listing of Water Quality Monitoring Stations,
while Figure 11 show the locations on plan.
3.7.2 a) The monitoring locations were selected with a view to study both surface and
ground water bodies of the proposed lease area and 10 km radius surrounding buffer
zone. There are a number of seasonal water courses in the area but no perennial
nallas.
b) Six surface and four ground water stations were selected so as to be representative
of the surface as well as ground water sources.
c) Three grab samples of each of surface water sources were collected on three
different days and a composite sample prepared for analysis. For ground water sources
grab sample were collected on a single day.
d) For each sources three sets of samples were collected in polythene carboys, one of
which was acidified for metal analysis. Separate samples were collected in sterilized
glass bottles for bacteriological analysis.
e) The samples were analysed following standard methods of analysis prescribed
under relevant Indian Standards for Analysis of Water and Waste Water.
f) The result of analysis are presented in Annexure VIII B/1 and Annexure
VIII B/2 for surface and ground water respectively.
3.7.3 The result of analysis are compared with limits of various parameters prescribed under IS
10500 of 1991 (Drink Water Standard) or IS 2490 of 1982 (Industrial Effluent Discharge) which
ever is relevant. The results obtained are commented below.
a) Orgonoleptic Parameters
i) Temperature – The temperature of surface water samples varied from 20ºC to
26ºC while those of ground water noted to be 27ºC. There are no thermal sources in the
area. Hence, the temperatures are not very relevant.
ii) Colour, Taste and Odour – The odour of all the 10 water samples was
unobjectionable and taste was agreeable. The six surface and all four ground water
samples were colourless.
iii) Turbidity – All six surface water samples the turbidity was between 1.5 – 2.0
NTU and all ground water samples the turbidity was 2.5 NTU or below. All these values
of six surface water & four ground water samples are less than desirable level of 5 NTU,
as per drinking water standard.
25
b) Chemical Parameters
i) The pH values of six surface water samples varied between 7.82 to 8.25 while,
those for four ground water samples varied between 7.32 to 7.64. All these values are
within desirable range of 6.5 to 8.5 as per drinking water standard. The marginally
higher values of pH for surface waters is due to, perhaps, algal growth. All waters are
alkaline.
ii) Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen is main indicator of suitability of water body for survival of
acquatic life. The six surface water samples had dissolved oxygen in the range of 6.1
mg/l to 6.7 mg/l which shows that the conditions are healthy. The four ground water
sources had two ranges of dissolved oxygen. The two dugwells had values of 4.6 / 4.7
mg/l while two hand pump / tube wells had values of 1.7 / 1.9 mg/l. The lower values for
hand pump / tube well water is expected as the water is not in contact with atmosphere.
iii) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
The values for Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) were below 7 mg/l for all six
surface water samples. These values indicate low organic pollution of surface waters.
On the other hand BOD values for four ground water samples were below 3.0 mg/l which
indicated that ground water had very low organic pollution load.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) values of six surface water samples were
between 18.5 mg/l to 33.9 mg/l. These indicate pollution load with some oxidisable
matter. The COD values for tube well water samples were below 6.5 mg/l which
indicated that there was negligible oxidizable matter. The COD values for open dug
wells were between 12.3 mg/l & 15.4 mg/l, indicating some oxidizable matter in these
waters.
iv) Dissolved Solids (DS)
The dissolved solids in the surface water were in the range of 138 mg/l to 349
mg/l. These values were below desirable level of 500 mg/l as per drinking water
standard. On the other hand all four ground water samples also had dissolved solid,
below the desirable level, in the range of 121 mg/l to 272 mg/l, which is nearly half of the
desirable limit. The values of ground water samples are slightly lower than surface water
samples, which is unusual.
v) Suspended Solids (SS)
The suspended solids in six surface water samples were below 6 mg/l and all four
ground water samples were below 3 mg/l. These values are very low.
vi) Total Hardness
The total hardness values for all six surface water samples ranged from 58.8 mg/l
to 254.8 mg/l, and all four ground water samples had hardness ranged from 70.6 mg/l to
219.5 mg/l which is well below desirable level of 300 mg/l as per Drinking Water
Standard.
26
vii) Chlorides, Sulphates and Nitrates
All six surface water samples and four ground water samples had Chloride levels
well below the desirable level of 250 mg/l. Similarly Sulphate levels in all ten samples
were below 25 mg/l against desirable level of 200 mg/l.
The nitrate were very low in all six surface water samples being less than 2.5
mg/l. The nitrate levels in the ground water samples were slightly higher, going upto 20
mg/l in one case. All these values are much lower than desirable limit of 45 mg/l as per
Drinking Water Standard.
viii) Other Parameters
All the surface and ground water samples were free from Oil & Grease, Phenolic
Compounds, N-Hexane Extracts and pesticides and Cyanide.
c) Health Related Parameters
i) Fluorides
Fluorides were negligible in all six surface water samples, being less than 0.05
mg/l against desirable limit of 1.0 mg/l. In all four ground water samples the fluorides
were below 0.42 mg/l, less than half of desirable level of 1.0 mg/l. Hence none of the
water samples present any health hazard, due to fluorides.
ii) Iron
Four surface water samples had total ‘Fe' content less than desirable level of 0.3
mg/l. Two surface water and four ground water samples had ‘Fe’ content higher than
desirable level but much lower than permissible level.
iii) Heavy Metal
Since all waters were alkaline, heavy metals like Copper, Zinc, Manganese etc.
can occur as soluble hydroxides. In present case, all six surface water samples and four
ground water samples, these were either below detectable levels or far below
desirable levels prescribed by drinking water standards.
iv) Aluminium & Borron
Six surface water samples and four ground water samples, showed presence of
aluminium below desirable limit while Boron also was present below desirable limit.
v) Toxic Heavy Metals
Toxic Heavy Metals like Mercury, Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium and
Selenium were always far below desirable levels prescribed for drinking water standards.
Pesticides were absent in all ten samples.
vi) Coliforms
All the six surface water samples had fairly high coliform contents ranging from
120-390 MPN/100ml. These waters should not be used for drinking purposes without
appropriate treatment. Out of four ground water samples, two from tube wells did not
show any presence of coliforms while the open dugwell waters had very low presence of
coliforms ranging from 2-3 MPN/100ml.
27
3.7.4 Overall, all the water samples, were not polluted and were more like unpolluted water
samples of rural area. Like any rural area in the country, the only pollutant present is coliforms in
all surface water sources and two dugwell waters. Waters with presence of coliforms should be
used for drinking, only after suitable treatment.
3.8 Noise Levels
3.8.1 The noise is often defined as unwanted sound. The present area, although has rural
setting has a fairly large town on the north side of proposed lease area.
3.8.2 The noise levels were monitored at six locations in the core and the buffer zone at one
hourly interval for continuous 24 hrs. The locations of the stations are listed below and shown at
Figure 12.
Sr. No.
Location of Monitoring Station
Station code
Distance from proposed mine lease boundary
(km) Direction Zone
1 Bicharpur village N-1 Within - Core
2 Near Sohagpur village N-2 3.0 N Buffer
3 Mahauli village N-3 2.5 S Buffer
4 Chhota Khamaria village N-4 4.0 NW Buffer
5 Fatehpur Village N-5 2.0 E Buffer
6 Chotta Bandhwa Khurd village
N-6 2.0 NE Buffer
3.8.3 At each of the locations the noise levels were monitored with measuring instrument at
setting ‘A’, slow mode, and ten observations were recorded at one minute interval at each
recording hour. The average hourly recorded noise level is given at Annexure IX.
3.8.4 It may be noted that noise levels recorded were below 50dB (A) at three out of six
stations. Remaining three stations at Chhota Khamaria village (N-4), Fatehpur village (N-5),
and Chotta Bandhwa Khurd village (N-6) day time observations recorded were above 50dB(A).
The night time noise levels recorded were usually below 53.2 dB(A). Out of total 48
observations between 11.0 pm and 6.00 am, only two observations were beyond 55 dB (A) the
prescribed night time limit for commercial areas.
3.9 Soil Quality
3.9.1 Soil samples were collected from three sampling locations / sites described below. The
locations were selected so as to assess the condition of existing soils in the proposed lease area
and surrounding buffer zone. Since this will be an underground mine only about 05 ha of land
will be disturbed / utilized for surface infrastructure and 10 ha. land for colony outside lease.
3.9.2 The location of the three sampling sites is described in the table below and shown in
Figure 13.
S.
No. Sampling
station code Description of
location Distance from proposed
lease area (km) Direction Zone
Type of land
1 S-1 Bicharpur village Within - Core Agricultural
2 S-2 Bicharpur village Within - Core Barren
3 S-3 Majhauli village 2.5 km S Buffer Agricultural
28
3.9.3 The samples were collected during second week of December. Three samples were
collected at each location from three different depths namely 0-30 cms, 30-60 cms and 60-
90cms. The result of analysis are placed at Annexure X for each of the above three locations,
separately.
3.9.4 A critical examination of results brings out the following:
i) The samples from Agricultural land were Grayish (S-1), and Brown (S-3) in
colour and Loamy Sand in textural classification. The percentage of gravel varied from
nil to 1.7 %. The sample from barren land was Yellowish in colour and had no gravel,
and categorised a Loamy Sand.
ii) The agricultural land soil had 12% to 37% clay. But clay content of barren land /
soil was less than 12%
iii) The agricultural soil was natural moisture content in 4.7% to 19.3%, which is
lower to medium moisture. While that of barren land sample have low moisture content
at 4.6% to 5.5%, which is low.
iv) The bulk density of soils varied from 1.09 gm/cc to 1.23 gm/cc, not a very wide
variation.
v) The Water Holding Capacity of agricultural soil, S1 was very high as compared to
samples at S2 & S3. In case of latter two all the samples had water holding capacity
exceeding 20%.
vi) The pH of samples of soils S1 & S3 varied from 6.38 to 6.87 indicating that soils
are alkaline. But barren land soil, sample the pH between 5.96 to 6.14 indicating neutral
to low alkalinity.
vii) The available organic matter in the samples from agricultural soils was medium to
high, between 0.40% to 0.84%. The same in the barren land was lower 0.36% to 0.56%.
viii) The available Nitrogen was low in all nine samples from three locations.
ix) The available phosphorous in six samples was very much higher at above 100
kg/ha, in case of agricultural soil and above 35.0 kg/ha in case of barren soil.
x) The available potassium (k) content of agricultural land soil S1 was higher
beyond 150 kg/ha but was slightly lower in other two samples.
xi) Overall both the agricultural soil had medium fertility, while the barren land
had also slightly lower fertility which could be improved.
3.10 Bio-Diversity
3.10.1 The proposed lease area has 35.061 ha Revenue Forest and 75.750 ha of Protected forest.
Nearly 63% of area, around 319 ha, is cultivated and about 70 ha, around 14 % , is Govt. Waste
land. Not only, all the available land is cultivated, but one of the protected forest compartments
has mango tree plantation. The other Protected Forest Compartment is degraded due to being
open for cattle grazing.
29
3.10.2 The buffer zone area have several Reserved Forests and a few Protected Forests. These
forest are concentrated in West, South and SW and are spread over area of nearly 7000 ha. The
village or Revenue forests account of 8290 ha of buffer zone area.
3.10.3 There are no National Parks, Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves Migratory Corridors or eco
sensitive area within 50km of boundary of proposed lease area.
3.10.4 A flora – fauna survey of the core zone and 10km radius buffer zone was undertaken by
Dr. M. L. Naik, who is accredited as functional area expert for EB by Quality Council of India
(NABET) for Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd., an accredited EIA consultant orgnisation.
3.10.5 The field studies were carried out during summer of 2011 and monsoon season of the
same year. The core zone and buffer zone have been separately surveyed and flora and fauna of
both have been listed separately.
3.10.6 Flora
a) Core zone
i) As stated above in para 3.10.1 both the Protected and Revenue Forests in the area
are highly degraded.
ii) Even then the both forests were studied by quadrant method. Along with two
Protected Forest compartments four patches of Revenue forest, were studied as well. All
these have very low variety of tree species. These are listed with phytosociological
studies carried out at Annexure XI A/1
iii) The crops cultivated include Maize, Til, Rice and Ground Nut. Most of the
cultivated lands in core zone, are rainfed. The field bunds, particularly of low lying
fields, were found to have growth of herbaceous species. There are listed at Annexure
XI A/2
b) Buffer zone
Most of the forests in the area are highly degraded due to cattle grazing and illegal
cutting of wood. The trees are mostly pole size, of Sal (Shorea nobusta), grown up as
coppice from those cut earlier. A few trees of Tendu (Diospyras melanoxylon) are also
found, in protected and Reserved forest areas. Revenue or village forests have good
number of large Mahua (Madhuca Latifolia) trees. There are never cut by villagers and
have grown large. Tendu bushes (Diospyros melanoxylon) are also seen. The other
species are Babool (Acacia Nilotica), Palas (Butea monosperma), Arjun (TErminalin
arjunia) Sharberi (Zyziphus mummularia) etc. The bunds of cultivated lands also support
growth of some herbaceous species like grasses, legumes, herbs, weeds. These are listed
at Annexure XI A/3.
There are extensive plantations of Eucatyptus in buffer zone. It appears to be
Monoculture farm forestry. They are also planted on road side in large numbers.
3.10.7 Fauna
a) Core Zone
The entire proposed lease area is highly disturbed. A major part is cultivated,
while forests are highly degraded. Hence whole of the area have very poor wild life.
Some of the animals observed or reported by villagers are listed at Annexure XI B/1.
The list includes a good variety of birds, spiders and insects.
30
b) Buffer Zone
i) Buffer zone has better variety of wild life as there are no industries. A list of
fauna species is buffer zone is placed at Annexure XI B/2. Most of the species are
commonly found in Central India and belong to schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection)
Act 1972.
ii) There are only three or four species of schedules I to III with only one schedule I
specie, Peafowl or Peacock.
iii) A variety of Amphibians and fishes are found around Murna nalla. When
summer comes and there is very little water, fishes start to die. Even dogs were seen
eating them. List of fishes is also provides in Annexure XI B/2. List of Spiders
Nollusea insects and Butter flies is placed at Annexure XI B/1.
3.11 Traffic Survey
3.11.1 Any industrial activity generally results in higher movement of vehicles on the road.
There are two major roads in the area one goes from Katni to Anuppur, which is a National
Highway while another one is a State Highway which is just outside the proposed mining lease.
3.11.2 The traffic survey was carried out at these two locations for a period of 24 hours. The
results are given below.
Katni – Anuppur Type of vehicles Katni to Anuppur Anuppur to Katni Total
Two wheelers 345 308 653
Three wheelers 127 115 242
Four wheelers (Jeeps / Cars) 315 217 532
Six wheelers (Trucks / Busses) 49 46 95
Heavy trucks / trailer 113 104 217
Tractors 24 18 42
Total Traffic on Katni to Anuppur road 1781
Shahdol-Sohagpur Type of vehicles Shahdol to Sohagpur Sohagpur to Shahdol Total
Two wheelers 114 121 235
Three wheelers 32 26 58
Four wheelers (Jeeps / Cars) 28 29 57
Six wheelers (Trucks / Busses) 5 4 9
Heavy trucks / trailer 4 3 7
Tractors 14 13 27
Total Traffic on Shahdol to Sohagpur road 393
3.11.3 As expected National Highway has much higher – nearly 4 ½ times the traffic than on the
other roads. As it is seen, on the National Highway half of the traffic is of two wheelers and
three wheelers while in case of the other road nearly 75% traffic is accounted by two wheelers
and three wheelers.
3.11.4 Since approach road to proposed Bicharpur mining lease, and the project, is going to
despatch coal by rail, the increasing traffic may not affect the overall traffic on the road.
31
4.0 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
AND MITIGATION MEASURES
4.1
General
…
32
4.2 Land … 32
4.3 Ambient Air Quality … 33
4.4 Impact on Water Regime … 33
4.5 Water Quality - Impact and amelioration … 33
4.6 Noise … 34
4.7 Blasting Vibrations … 34
4.8 Impact on Soil Quality and Ameliorative Measures … 35
4.9 Biodiversity – Impact and Amelioration … 35
4.10 Impact of Transportation … 35
4.11 Disaster Management Plan … 35
4.1 General
4.1.1 The mine is being planned as large underground mechanised mine with production
capacity of 0.75 mtpa. The mine will have life of 41 years. The mining will start at a depth of
120m and maximum depth will be 270m. Only 4.83ha of land within the proposed lease area is
being acquired for entries to the mine, surface infrastructure etc. Another 10.56 ha adjacent land,
outside lease, will be acquired for colony etc.
4.1.2 The mine workings are so planned that there will no surface subsidence. Hence neither
remaining 495.17 ha of land area nor its surface features will be affected. The surface drainage
will remain unaffected. The ground water will be somewhat affected.
4.1.3 The coal will be brought out to surface through inclines by conveyor. There will be a
200 tonnes overhead bunker to store coal, which will be transported to siding, nearly two km
away, by road. Neither any crusher nor any beneficiation plant is proposed.
4.1.4 Thus impact on various environmental parameters will be minimal. These impacts along
with ameliorative measures are discussed below under nine separate headings.
4.2 Land
4.2.1 The area of the proposed lease is fairly large at 500ha. Only 4.83 ha land within and
10.56 out side will be utilized for surface infrastructure, colony etc. The remaining land will be
totally unaffected. Thus, there will no need to acquire balance land as there will no subsidence
on the surface. The balance area can be continued to be possession of the owners who can utilize
it as they wish.
4.2.2 Thus, at the time of closure of mining operations only about 15.39 ha land will have to be
reclaimed. Nearly 10.0 ha land will be occupied by the colony. The colony will not be removed
after the closure of the mine, because it is expected that, with the urbanization of surrounding
area, the colony may have ready market.
4.2.3 Except the areas occupied by inclined drifts and a ventilation shafts, remaining area can
be reclaimed for plantation etc. 32
4.3 Ambient Air Quality
4.3.1 The ambient air quality will be somewhat affected, due to surface handling of coal
produced, as well as road transport and handling of coal at railway siding. The transport of coal
from the incline top bunker to railway siding is likely to raise dust and affect air quality.
4.3.2 The dust raised will affect the quality of air and will have to be treated at point of dust
generation to reduce dispersion. The values of Particulate Matters (PM10) will remain within
prescribed annual average limit of 60 µg/m3 after mitigative measures outlined in para 4.3.3
below are rigorously followed.
4.3.3 Mitigative Measures
The main method of dust suppression will be spraying of water. All the roads will be sprayed
with water at frequent interval so that dust generated by movement of vehicles is sufficiently
wetted, so that it is not dispersed by movement of vehicles.
4.3.4 All the overhead transfer points will be covered and equipped with State of Art, Water
sprays. All conveyors will be covered.
4.3.5 A green belt atleast, 8.0 m in depth, will be created all along boundary of the surface
infrastructure area so that any dispersed dust will be arrested.
4.3.6 This being an underground mine Air quality modelling is not required.
4.4 Impact on Water Regime 4.4.1 The mine is an underground mine, with depth varying from 120m to 270m. It is planned
to extract the Coal seams so that there is no surface subsidence. Thus there will be no impact on
surface topography due to extraction of coal.
4.4.2 Since, there will not be any impact of mine working on surface, the surface drainage will
not be affected. The area proposed to be acquired does not have even seasonal nallas.
4.4.3 Due to mining in the 5 sq km block area or core zone there will be reduction of 0.1 MCM
of water flowing in the seasonal nallas due to increased percolation. This will increase to
4 MCM for micro basin of the core zone having area of 90 sq. km.
4.4.4 This increased percolation will infact be water harvesting due to mining operation.
4.4.5 There will be a reduction in static water resources of core zone due pumping from mine.
However, pumped out water to the extent of 1.37 MCM will be made available to the villages in
the core zone area.
4.4.6 Water requirement of Mine is provided at Annexure XII A.
4.5 Water Quality - Impact and amelioration 4.5.1 There will not be any appreciable impact on quality of water in study area / buffer zone.
This is because, only pollutant likely to affect water quality is suspended particles in the water
pumped from the mine. The premining quality of water from six surface and four ground waters
is within desirable limit of drinking water standard IS-10500 of 1991, except coliforms for
surface waters.
33
4.5.2 All the water pumped from the mine will be first sent to settling ponds of adequate
capacity, where almost all suspended solids will be arrested and removed. The quality of water
being released will be checked regularly.
4.5.3 The underground sumps, where mine water will be collected for pumping to surface, will
have adequate capacity to allow settlement of maximum possible suspended solids, in the
underground sumps.
4.5.4 Water being discharged to surface water courses will be analysed regularly to check the
suspended solids and less frequently for any toxic substances. Although there are no toxic
minerals in strata of the coal seams, the analysis will ensure that the situation has remained
unaltered.
4.5.5 The effluents from toilets in office, workshop etc will be treated in septic tanks before
discharging water to the ground. The colony will have a proper sewage treatment plant to handle
the sewerage. The workshop effluent will be treated to remove oil and grease etc.
4.5.6 Thus, there will no impact on quality of ground water and surface waters.
4.6 Noise 4.6.1 As described in para 3.8 above, the existing noise levels in the area are low at three out of
the six stations monitored. At these three stations the noise levels were below 50dB(A). The
remaining three stations, are located near highways with heavy traffic. Even then at these
stations the measured noise levels has not exceeded 60 dB (A).
4.6.2 These noise levels will not be affected by starting of the mine because the mine is an
underground operation and that to beyond a depth of 130 m. The area proposed to be acquired
for surface infrastructure etc currently has noise level below 50 dB (A). The nearest villages,
Senduri and Bicharpur are about one km away.
4.6.3 The noise levels in the area are likely to increase, albeit marginally because of handling
of coal as well as movement of coal to railway siding for dispatch. Even then these levels are
unlikely to increase beyond 75 dB (A), at boundary of acquired area.
4.6.4 The main ameliorative measures will be creation of a green belt, at least six m wide, all
around the periphery of the 15.39 ha area used for surface infrastructure etc.
4.6.5 Regular maintenance of all machinery used on surface will be ensured, to control noise
produced.
4.6.6 Last but not the least, persons working in areas, with higher noise levels if any, will be
provided with ear protection devices.
4.7 Blasting Vibrations
Except in exceptional circumstances no blasting will be carried out at this mine as coal
will be extracted by continuous miners.
34
4.8 Impact on Soil Quality and Ameliorative Measures
4.8.1 The direct impact on soil quality will be restricted to about 15.39 ha of land being
acquired, all of which is agricultural land. The soils have medium fertility.
4.8.2 The soil removed for construction of infrastructure will be utilized for plantation of green
belt. No soil will be stored.
4.8.3 The likely damage to soil of buffer zone due to spreading of coal dust is another likely
impact. The coal stock and coal handling plant will have state of arts dust suppression devices
while coal will be transported to the railway siding by totally enclosed dumpers.
4.8.4 Thus impact on soil quality of surrounding area will be negligible.
4.9 Bio Diversity – Impact and Amelioration
4.9.1 The proposed block area has about 110 ha highly degraded forest land both Protected and
Revenue. No forest land has been included in 15.39 ha land proposed to be acquired for surface
infrastructure, mine entries etc.
4.9.2 Out of this acquired land, 1.6 ha will be used for creation of green belt around the area.
This will improve the surroundings as well as arrest dust and noise. Only local species will be
planted.
4.9.3 The balance about 495 ha land of proposed lease area will neither be disturbed nor
acquired. The underground mine is be designed in such a way that there will be no surface
subsidence or any other disturbance of the area, in major part of lease except small patch of 6 ha.
4.9.4 On the other hand the management proposes to help surrounding villages to improve
environment through plantations. The management also will procure and distribute samplings /
seeds of economically valuable trees including fruit trees.
4.9.5 A conservation plan for Schedule 1 specie – Peacock is placed at Annexure XII B.
4.10 Impact of Transportation
Since it is an underground mine, only impact of transportation will be surface transport of
coal to railway siding for dispatch, over a distance of two km. For amelioration the
transportation will be done by closed dumpers. Efforts will be made to have railway siding at pit
top so that transport is avoided.
4.11 Disaster Management Plan
A disaster management plan will be prepared before commencement of mining
operations. A proposed plan is placed at Annexure XIII.
35
5.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES (Technology and site)
5.1 For a mining project, site is determined by occurrence of mineral or all mining projects
are ‘Site Specific’. The Coal block has been allotted by the Ministry of Coal. Hence, no
alternative site is considered or possible.
5.2 Only proven technologies used in underground mines are proposed to be used. The
management proposes to enter into agreement with the suppliers, for commissioning the
Continuous Miners and training of its personnel. Thus, there is virtually no chance of
technological failure.
36
6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME
6.1
Proposed Environmental Monitoring Programme
…
37
6.2 Environmental Budget … 38
6.3 Mine Closure Plan and Conceptual Post Mining Landuse … 39
6.4 Green Belt Development … 39
6.1 Proposed Environmental Monitoring Programme
a. Although mine lease is large at 5.00 sq km or 500 ha, it is an underground mine. Hence,
except about 15.39 ha acquired for surface infrastructure including colony and mine entries,
there will not be much environmental impact on the balance 4.90 sq km area. The monitoring
programme proposed below is based also on consideration, that only two villages are just over
one km from proposed mine entries.
i) Quarterly monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5 at three stations, for eight hours, one on
down wind side boundary, of 15.39 ha acquired land, one near the nearest village Bicharpur in
the north and one at the Railway siding will be carried out. Full 24 hr monitoring for all
12 parameters will be carried out, only if the air pollution approaches prescribed limits
ii) The water overflowing from settling tanks will be analysed for pH, suspended
solids, total dissolved solids and alkalinity once a month. The full analysis of water samples
overflowing from settling tanks will be done half yearly.
iii) Monthly monitoring of noise levels at predetermined stations numbering 4 to 6,
within 15.39 ha acquired land area and surrounding villages about one km from mine entries and
also at railway siding would be measured.
iv) Surface subsidence will be monitored as stipulated by the DGMS
b. The collection and analysis of samples, except monitoring of noise levels, will be
outsourced.
c. This being an underground mine, a full time safety officer with First Class Mines
Managers certificate of competency, under The Mines Act 1952, will have to be appointed. He
will also be given additional charge of Environment. He directly reports to the Mines Manger.
d. The environmental officer, will be directly responsible to ensure that monitoring as
proposed above, as well as any additional analysis prescribed by MOEF / State Pollution Control
Board is carried out.
e. He will be also responsible for maintenance of record of analysis, preferably in a bound
paged note-book / register. He will analyse the data regularly and propose any corrective
measures, if required.
37
f. He will be responsible to implement environmental measures proposed in this EIA/EMP
document as well as those imposed while granting environmental clearance as well as consent to
establish / operate.
g. He will be responsible to renew consent to operate under Water Prevention & Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. He will also be
responsible to obtain permission under Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules
1989 for disposal of spent oil, used filters and any other substances falling under per view of the
said Rules. He will also ensure timely renewal of such permissions.
h. The measures like, spraying of Water for dust suppression underground, will be
responsibility of respective line managers. The dust suppression measures proposed at Surface
Coal Bunker and Siding will be directly under charge of environmental officer who will monitor
quantities of Water used, regularly.
i) He will ensure that settled silt, on floor of settling tanks on surface, is
cleaned regularly, particularly before and after monsoon.
ii) The Environmental officer will regularly inspect green belt surrounding
acquired areas. He will replant any trees that are not showing proper growth.
6.2 Environmental Budget
6.2.1 The budget given below gives capital cost of installations, construction of garland drains,
plantation and equipment for water spraying at surface. The operational and maintenance costs
for the same are also included. However, the cost of piping for water spraying underground,
monitoring of quantity and quality of air underground, are not included. These measures are
statutorily mandated under Coal Mines Regulations 1957 and hence capital and revenue cost for
the same is not included.
6.2.3 Thus the cost relate to mainly expenditure on surface installations, plantations etc. These
cost amount to Rs. 10.50 per tonne of annual output of coal for Capital Costs and Rs. 1.66 per
tone of annual out put for revenue cost.
(Fig in Rs lakhs) Sr. No.
Item of Cost Head Capital cost
Revenue cost per annum
1 Construction of water tank of surface for storage of water for dust suppression and underground pipe line.
40 2.0
2 Cost of construction of garland drains around 15.39 ha acquire land
10 0.50
3 Cost of plantation & Green Belt around 15.39 ha acquired land. 02 0.50
4 Cost of Environmental Monitoring 02
4.00
5 Cost of water spraying at Surface bunker and Railway sides. 25 5.00
Total :- 79 12.50
38
6.3 Mine Closure Plan and Conceptual Post Mining Landuse
6.3.1 The life of the mine is 41 years including development. The top most seam, No. IV seam
will be developed first and left standing on pillars. It will be then isolated by sealing the entries
from two inclines as well as from main return roadway.
6.3.2 The seams III A and II will worked next by Non Effective Width (NEW) method one
after another. The seam III A will be fully extracted and isolated after which seam II will be
taken up.
6.3.3 During the 41 years life of the mine, except 4.83ha of land within the proposed lease area
would continue to be available to their respective owners for carrying out agriculture or any
other activities. The mining activity underground is so designed that there will be no perceptible
surface subsidence. Subsidence will be monitored throughout life of the mine as stipulated by
DGMS.
6.3.4 At the end of Mine about 10 ha of land outside lease will have colony, office store
workshop and other facilities. About 5ha of land, including 4.83 ha within lease, will be
reclaimed, by removing surface infrastructure, after sealing of the two incline and the shaft.
6.3.5 All the equipment will be brought out of the mines before sealing and either sent to other
mines of the company or disposed off. The infrastructure like store, workshop, canteen and
office will be handed over to the State Govt. authorities. Colony may have market as by the time
the Shahdol town may be near to it.
6.3.6 The conceptual post mining land use for about 5ha of land will be afforestation while
colony and infrastructure area will be handed over for local community for use. The houses in
colony may be sold, if buyers are available.
6.4 Green Belt Development 6.4.1 Since the company will be acquiring surface rights only ore 15.39 ha area, the green belt
development is planned over that area only. The whole area will be surrounded by 6m to 8m
wide plantation as shown at Figure 3A, the Project Master Plan.
6.4.2 The total area planted will be 1.7ha and no. of sapling planted will be about 4000. The
plantation will be started from 2nd
year and completed by end of 4th
year. 1500 sapling will be
planted during each of first two years and balance during 3rd
year.
6.4.3 The trees to be planted are to be chosen carefully so that both dust and noise are arrested.
A suggested list for plantation in the green belt is placed at Annexure XIV. The list includes
only local flora species as found in the area during the biodiversity study, coupled with list of
species suggested in the book ‘Guidelines for Developing Green Belts’ published by the Central
Pollution Control Board.
39
7.0 ADDITIONAL STUDIES
7.1 Public Consultation … 40
7.2 Occupational Health Issues … 41
7.3 Risk Assessment … 42
7.4 Social Impact Assessment … 42
7.5 Proposals under Corporate Social Responsibility … 44
7.6 Baseline Health Data … 46
7.1 Public Consultation –
7.1.1 Lok Sunwai, the Public Hearing was notified in two newspapers on 19 November 2011.
The two newspapers were ‘Dainik Bhaskar’ in Hindi published from Shahdol and ‘The Times of
India’, a national daily in English, in its Jabalpur edition.
In addition the event was published through banners as well as loud speaker mounted on
vehicles, in surrounding villages between 20th
and 22nd
December 2011.
7.1.2 The Public Hearing was held on 23 December 2011, at Grounds of Primary School at /
near Bicharpur villages.
7.1.3 The Collector and the District Magistrate, Shahdol, Shri Neeraj Dubey, Presided over the
meeting. Shri Manoj Kumar Mandrai, Regional Officer, Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control
Board was present. Besides them about fifteen officials of the State Govt. and Pollution Control
Board were present. In addition, about eight officials of the Madhya Pradesh State Mining
Corporation and their associates were present.
7.1.4 A total at 86 persons from surrounding villages at Bicharpur, Sinduri, Pachgaon,
Khamariya, Kalyanpur, Budhi, Parnia and Shahdol town including ward no. 29 attended the
Public Hearing.
7.1.5 The proceedings of Public Hearing are attached at Annexure XVA.
7.1.6 The issues raised at the Public Hearing were mainly related to environment. The main
issue raised was nearness of the project to the rapidly expanding Shahdol town which has
recently been declared commissionarate. The block extending below a part, Ward No. 29, of
the town was pointed out. The other issues raised included impact of blasting particularly on an
old temple, pollution due to transport of coal on roads, impact on ground water levels with fear
of drying of ground water sources, drying up of Murna nalla flowing out from northern end of
the property. Some people also pointed out that there is already heavy traffic in and around
Shahadol which will increase due to transport of coal.
7.1.7 It was suggested that the entry and surface installations of the mine should as far away as
possible from Bicharpur Village as well as Shahdol town.
40
7.1.8 A summary of main issues raised at the Public Hearing and responses of the
management, as recorded at Annexure ‘A’ of the Proceedings of Public Hearing are summarized
below :
Sr. No.
Issues raised by the Public Response / Commitment of Project Proponent
1. Ground Water level will be reduced in the area
There will be no reduction in Ground Water levels as mine depth varies from 120 m (400 ft) to over 168 m (550 ft)
2. Location of Siding has not been specified
The railway siding will be brought near the mine opening
3. Very near to Shahdol town and ward No. 29 above mine lease will be affected
The mine entries have been planned farthest away from town, near southern boundary of the block. The distance will be 1.8 km from present boundary of the town. There will be no impact of Mining Operation on surface and no subsidence.
4. Blasting vibrations will cause damage to buildings and a very old temple in shahdol.
No blasting will be carried out as coal will be extracted / cot by machines. In any case blasting at the depth mine will work (exceeding 120 m) will have no impact on surface.
5. Air Pollution will increase due to dust raised by transport of Coal cause illnesses.
Coal will be despatched by rail. No transport of coal by road except to siding near mine entries.
6. Employment to be provided to local people
Local people will be given preference in employment depending on qualifications
7. Mine water to be treated and provided for drinking purposes
Agreed.
7.2 Occupational Health Issues
The occupational health issues are well taken care of by provisions under the Mines
Rules 1955. The provisions under chapter IV A include.
a. All workers proposed to be employed in a mine have to undergo a medical
examination as per provisions of Rule 29 B (a).
b. Under clause (b) of the same, the workers have to undergo periodical
medical examination every five years.
c. The Rule 29 (c) prescribes the qualification of the medical officer carrying
out examination.
d. The standards of medical examination are prescribed under Rule 29F. The
standards of medical examination are laid down in Form ‘P’ of the rules and
includes postero-anterior chest radiograph. The medical data has to be retained for
10 years even after the employee has left the services or retired.
e. Annual returns have to be submitted every year in a prescribed format.
41
7.3 Risk Assessment 7.3.1 In Mining Industry, work safety, occupational health, vocational training of personnel,
and provision of facilities at work place, including medical facilities, is covered in great details
by the Mines Act 1952, The Coal Mines Regulation 1957, Mines Rules 1955, Vocational
Training Rules 1966 and other rules framed.
7.3.2 This is an underground mine with depth exceeding 130m. The mine infrastructure and
mine entries are spread over an area of about 15.39 ha. This area will be properly fenced and
secured. So that no unauthorised person will have entry to the area.
7.3.3 The various provisions of Coal Mines Regulations 1957, conditions prescribed by
Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) while granting various permissions under the
provisions of the Act and Regulations and guidelines issued by DGMS through various circulars
will be strictly enforced.
7.3.4 The mining plan document has examined the safety aspects of the planned mine in great
depth. The issues examined are gassiness Inundation, Dust suppression, Precautions against fire,
Roof control and subsidence. The relevant details from the document are placed at
Annexure XVB.
7.3.5 Even then in an underground Coal Mine, the risks involved cannot be fully eliminated.
The management proposes to engage experienced supervisors and mangers, so that risks are
minimised through proper supervision.
7.4 Social Impact Assessment
7.4.1 A socio economic survey of the villages in and surrounding the proposed lease area was
undertaken by a team led by Dr. Arati Nandi. Dr. Arati Nandi is approved Functional Area
Expert (FAE) by NABET (QCI) for Socio Economic (SE) for Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd.
The survey was carried out during the first six months of 2011.
7.4.2 For purpose of the survey, a zone of 4 km radius from proposed lease area was decided.
Thus, a total eight villages and ward No. 29 of Shahdol town, an urban area, was selected. The
eight villages are Bicharpur (within proposed lease area), Pachgaon, Kholhad, Chuniya, Senduri,
Kalyanpur, Fatehpur, Majhauli and are located all around the proposed lease area.
7.4.3 As per 2001 Census data, these eight villages had population of 12,147. Village Majhauli
was lowest with population of 325. The other data from published census records collected
included literacy, male female ratio, vocational data and facilities available in 2001.
7.4.4 In order to update the data, sample survey of 350 households was conducted for various
parameters, results of which are summarized below :
a) There were 968 females per 1000 males which was slight improvement over 2001 ratio.
b) Out of 350 households 71% lived in nuclear family and remaining in joint family
structure. Average family size was 5.28.
42
c) Scheduled castes accounted for 4% of surveyed population, where as scheduled tribes
were 39%. The OBCs accounted for 38% and minorities 5%.
d) About 45% of sampled population were BPL card holders as per Govt. norms.
6% households were headed by women and 2% of population was differentially able.
e) Overall literacy of surveyed household was 67% while 6% were informally literates.
About 63% were educated upto class V and above.
f) About 50% of population can be categorized as main workers. Balance is accounted by
marginal workers and non workers.
g) There is a shift of workforce from agriculture to non agricultural professions. In the
workforce, particularly from villages like Kalyanpur, Kholhad, Fatehpur and Shahdol Ward No.
29, the percentage of workers engaged in agriculture has gone down to a single digit. Most of
the people are now engaged in construction, transport, services and trade.
h) The average per capita income in the 9 villages studied is Rs. 10,304/-. The minimum
wage prevailing in the area is around Rs. 120/- per day. Except Majhauli Village, where per
capita income is less than Rs. 6000/-, in remaining villages surveyed it is higher than Rs. 8000/-
The highest is at Kalyanpur with figure of Rs. 14,000/-.
i) The annual average per capita expenditure of the families surveyed was Rs. 8,947/-.
About 51% of this expenditure is on food indicating that population is still poor. The medical
expenditure at 9% is slightly higher than 8% for clothes and 5% on education.
j) Although annual per capita savings is Rs. 1357/-, it is skewed due to Kalyanpur being
Rs. 4089/-.
7.4.5 The infrastructure facilities available in these nine villages are as under:
a) Educational – Primary schools are available within boundaries of all nine villages.
Middle Schools are available within 5 kms of the villages while high School facilities are
available within 10 kms. At Shahdol town, about 4 km away from farthest village has
Graduation colleges, three professional institutes and 10 other institutes.
b) There is only one Public Health Centre available in the area, village Pachgaon while a
Homeopathic dispensary is available at ward No. 29. Mother and child welfare centres are
available at Chuniya, Kholhad, Majhauli and Bicharpur villages.
c) Government hospitals and private hospitals are available at Shahdol which is maximum
of 10 km from the study area. Authorised veterinary doctor and assistant is available within
study area.
d) All the nine villages are connected by Pucca roads with the district place Shahdol and
have bus services, although not frequent. However, auto rikshaws, shared taxies and cycle
rikshaws also ply to most of the villages.
43
e) Most of villages, except Majhauli have Post Offices and telephone facilities. Mobile
network also covers all the villages.
f) All the villages have electricity supply.
g) Civil Amenities are rather poor in the area. Toilets are not available, in most of the
villages, except Kalyanpur.
7.4.6 Impact of Project
a) The project being an underground mine, have very less impacts in the area except dust
generated by movement from transport of coal to siding.
b) The project will offer employment to 572 persons out of which nearly 40 will be
unskilled workers. These will be local people including land loosers.
c) No village or even a single house will be required to be vacated for the project. Hence,
there is no question of rehabilitation. Only 15.39 ha. of land will be acquired for the project at
out which 4.83 ha. will be in the proposed lease area.
d) Project has life of 41 years at the end of which, two inclines and a shaft will be
permanently sealed. Most of buildings like officers etc. will be handed over to local community
for their use.
7.5 Proposal under Corporate Social Responsibility Plan
7.5.1 The area has no major industries. There are a few medium scale and number of small
units at Shahdol. The Bicharpur mine will be perhaps, first major industry to become operational
in the area. The villages surrounding Shahdol town like Kalyanpur, Kholhad, Fatehpur and
Bicharpur have already felt the impact of construction and other activities that have increased at
Shahdol town. The number and percentage of people depending on agriculture has gone down
and people employed in construction, transport and trade have increased.
7.5.2 During interaction with villagers, a number of areas have been identified / suggested by
them for improvement. These are :
i. Promotion of Modern Agriculture tools and equipment to improve the production
per unit area.
ii. Promote social forestry and horticulture to improve local environmental
conditions and also provide opportunities for income generation activities.
iii. Ambulance to attend the medical emergencies
iv. School van for primary and middle school students etc. suitable transport for girls
of high school and colleges.
v. Entrepreneurship development by promoting local youths to adopt self-
employment through Vocational training and support activities.
vi. Provision of proper water and sanitation facilities in the villages to maintain
cleanliness and hygiene.
vii. Most importantly develop national level training facilities for the women
footballers at Shadol.
44
7.5.3 Strategies and Plans have been drawn to strengthen certain activities, which are as under :
i. Strengthen off farm and non farm occupations
ii. Strengthen agriculture facilities in the project area villages
iii. Strengthen extension services
iv. Improve functional literacy
v. Improve health
vi. Civic Amenities
vii. Community Development Support
7.5.4 A detailed CSR Plan has been drawn for capital account expenditure of Rs. 7.5 crores and
revenue account expenditure of Rs. 1.87 crores over a period of five years. Need based head
wise expenditure is summarized below for capital and revenue accounts separately. Yearwise
sub head wise details are provided in Annexures XVIA and XVIB respectively.
A. Capital Budget
Sr.
No.
Details of Head / Need (Rs. Lakh)
i) Increasing Awareness 28.95
ii) Awareness of Agriculture Development 9.80
iii) Animal Husbandry & Dairy 189.00
iv) Social Forestry & Agriculture 65.10
v) Health 78.90
vi) Drinking Water 12.65
vii) Community Infrastructure 178.55
viii) Education 31.05
ix) Entrepreneurship Development 84.00
x) Infrastructure for Games & Sports 72.00
Total 750.00
B. CSR Activities under Revenue Account
Sr.
No.
Details of Item Rs. Lakh
i) Promotion General Awareness 2.50
ii) Strengthen off Farm and Non Farm Occupation 11.50
iii) Promote Modular employable skills 7.50
iv) Promote Non Modular employable skills 7.30
v) Strengthen Extension Services 21.19
vi) Education & Functional literacy 70.79
vii) Improve Health Facilities 45.30
viii) Civic Amenities 4.00
ix) Community Development 7.35
x) Maintenance & Miscellaneous Expenditure 10.07
Total 187.50
45
7.6 Baseline Health Data
7.6.1 Maternity and Child Birth facilities
a) As per 2001 census data, there was one Primary Health Centre, at Pachgaon village of the
buffer zone. Only five villages had maternity and child welfare centres.
During recent survey of eight villages a Primary Health Centre was available at Pachgaon
Village and Mother and Child Welfare Centres were available at Chuniya Kholhad, Majhauli and
Bicharpur. Villagewise health data was not readily available. However, consolidated data for
Singhpur Block was available. All the surveyed villages are part of this block. Conclusions are
drawn from Analysis of the data.
b) Out of 5757 pregnant women who registered under Anti Natal Care services, 1825
registered in first trimester which is 31.7%. Over 90% of these registered received TT1 & TT2
doses.
c) A good proportion of pregnant women, over 35.6% were found to have anemia with iron
levels less shall 11 mg per deciliter. A large proportion, over 90% received 100 IFA tablets.
d) Less than 09% deliveries were supervised by trained doctor / nurses or midwives. Only
about 45% newborns were visited within 24 hours of birth.
e) Thus, the Maternity and Child Welfare Facilities reached about 32% population.
7.6.2 Family Planning
a) About 1769 stevilization operations were carried out during the year. No complications
were reported in any of the case.
b) A total 1298 IUD insertions were carried out during the year.
c) A total of 6279 oral pills cycles, were distributed during first five months but none
afterwards.
7.6.3 Child Immunization
a) A large number of children were given of various immunization doses. These
immunization includes BCG, DPT, OPV, Measles and Hepatitis. The number of Children
receiving immunization varied from 643 OPV Birth dose, 2940 (BCG) to over 4500 for other
Immunizations.
b) Out of these children, 4367 children between 9 to 11 months have been fully immunized.
c) 1765 children above 16 months have received DPT Booster and OPV booster doses.
d) The above immunization programme was carried out through 1872 sessions over
12 month period.
e) In addition, 4558 children were administered vitamin A1 doses.
46
f) No cases of Diptheria, Peptussis, Tetanus and Polio were reported among Children of 1-5
years.
g) 3659 cases of diarrhea and dehydration, 23 cases Malaria and 922 cases of respiratory
infection were reported among children of 0-5 years.
7.6.4 General Health Parameters
a) Under blindness Control Programme 452 patients were operated for cataract and all of
them received IOL implants.
b) A total at 1625 Adults and 148 children were admitted as inpatients at various hospitals.
c) A total 513 minor operations were performed during the year.
d) A total of 214 hemoglobin tests were conducted on adults. Out of these 3 cases were
found Hb less 7 mg per deciliter.
e) A total 30,165 blood smears were examined for malaria. Only 163 cases were found
positive.
7.6.5 Deaths
a) The causes of death were analysed among infants and adults. A total of 51 infants died
during the period excluding deaths due to Pneumonia, Diarrhea, Fever related and measles.
There were no deaths due to these diseases among children.
b) A total seven deaths were reported among adults due to Heart Diseases out of this, five
were above 55 years. A death due to stroke was reported in one adult aged between 15-55 years.
c) One case of death due to trauma for an adult, three cases of suicides and 10 cases of
animal bites were reports for adults between 15-15 years.
d) The cases of known acute diseases and chronic diseases reported were 145 and
76 respectively. Majority of these cases were reported between age group above 55 years.
e) Surprisingly in a large number of disease cases reported, 380 nos. were for causes not
known. Here again 242 cases were in age group of above 55 years.
7.6.6 Overall health status in the area appears to be reasonably good.
47
8.0 PROJECT BENEFITS
8.1
Additional Supply of Coal
…
48
8.2 Technological Benefits … 48
8.3 Improvement in Social and Physical Infrastructure … 48
8.4 Employment Potential … 49
8.5 Other Tangible Benefits … 49
8.1 Additional Supply of Coal
The main benefits of the project will be availability of 0.75 million tonnes of coal from a
new mine. In present situation when the country is facing shortage of coal, with imports
increasing, this will be a great benefit.
8.2 Technological Benefits
8.2.1 The phenomenal increase of coal production over last 30 years is mainly through large
scale opencast mining. The share of production from under ground coal mines has been
continuously declining and to day it stands at about 12% of total production.
8.2.2 Thus establishing and starting a new underground mine, that too a fully mechanised one,
will be a technological achievement and a very desirable learning experience.
8.2.3 Underground mining results in far less damage to Environment and forests. Thus this
mine will exercise very little pressure on environment, as land surface will not be disturbed over
most of the lease area.
8.3 Improvement in Social and Physical Infrastructure
8.3.1 Although mine is highly mechanised, about 40 unskilled jobs will be created. These
would mainly go to local people. In addition, security, sanitation, cleaning and up keep of
offices etc would be outsourced, which will create further opportunities of employment.
8.3.2 It will be in the company’s interest to select young people from nearby villages and train
them for skilled jobs. The company will try its best to implement this.
8.3.3 A good number of people will find work in secondary and tertiary sectors to provide
services and supplies, to colony coming up.
8.3.4 The company proposes to spend a sizeable amount every year to bring up social
infrastructure. This will have an impact lasting over several decades after closure of the mine.
48
8.4 Employment Potential
8.4.1 The project will employ about 577 persons which will include about 40 unskilled jobs.
8.4.2 Nearly 15% employees will be semiskilled where local people, particularly land loosers,
if found suitable, would be given priority, after appropriate training.
8.5 Other Tangible Benefits
8.5.1 It has been observed that an industry like coal mining pays quite high wages, which
brings prosperity to the area. The commerce and services of the area develop multifold, which
results in generation of employment opportunities.
8.5.2 As a progressive management and responsible corporate citizen, the company will create
infrastructure to train local people so that they can grab these opportunities.
49
9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL COST BENIFIT ANALYSIS
Not applicable, as not prescribed / recommended at scoping stage
50
10.0 EMP / ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS
10.1 Management of Environment The monitoring schedule is already described in Para 6.1 earlier. The safety officer of the
mine, who would be an experienced Mining Engineer, with first class Certificate of Competency
qualified under Coal Mines Regulations 1957, will also be Environment Officer.
10.2 The above officer will be given training in Environment Management.
10.3 The responsibilities of Environment Officer will include:
i) To ensure that monitoring of Environment Parameters, as prescribed by the letter,
granting environmental clearance or as prescribed by the State Pollution Control Board, while
granting consent to operate, is carried out, through outsourcing. He will also ensure that results
are available in time.
ii) He will maintain record of the results of monitoring. If there are any unusual variations
in the results obtained, he will bring it to the notice of the manager.
iii) He will ensure that regular reports are sent to the State Pollution Control Board and
MOEF, as stipulated, vide the terms of conditions of consent granted by SPCB and
Environmental Clearance granted.
iv) He will ensure that the settling tanks on surface are regularly cleaned, particularly ahead
of each monsoon.
v) He will ensure that dust suppression arrangement at surface for the coal storage Bunker
and its reclamation system is always functioning and maintained regularly.
vi) He will be responsible to plan plantation programme for each year and ensure that it is
executed.
vii) He will report the status of environment of the mine to mines manager from time to time.
He will also convene a half yearly meeting of senior officers at the mine so as to review the
status of environment.
10.4 Corporate Environmental Responsibility
10.4.1 The company is committed to contribute towards a clean and sustainable environment by
continually enhancing our environmental performance as integral part of its business philosophy.
The company is Pro-actively Committed to
Conduct our all operations in an environmentally responsible manner to go beyond
the statutory environment clerances and compliances and group internal standards.
We continuously assess and measure our environmental performance and the improve
the same by adopting the best environmental practices across all our operations for
prevention & control of pollution and minimize green house gases.
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Implement and continually improve our Environmental Management System in all
across our operations.
Conservation of non-renewable natural resources and recycling of secondary materials
over our entire value chain.
We invest in the development of innovative and sustainable products and processes.
Adhere to the Environmental Clearance (EC), Consent conditions & Forest Clearance
(FC) conditions wherever applicable, granted to the company. Deviations if any from
this policy and the above clearance /consent conditions shall be reported to the Board
of Directors. These will reflect in our stake holder communications.
Shall identify and deploy responsible person(s) at all levels of hierarchy for proactive
implementation and adherence to this policy.
We engage our all our stakeholders to promote environmental awareness and report
publicly on environmental compliance, performance and progress.
10.4.2 The company has already made a beginning by deciding to work the block by
underground Method of Mining although Geological Report indicated that about 70 million
tonnes of coal reserves in seam IV and VII could be worked by opencast method, albeit at higher
stripping ratio.
10.4.3 For implementation of the policy the company proposes to take the following steps.
a) Appointment of a senior person as Environment officer. The company proposes
to give additional responsibility / complete charge of Environmental Management
to Mine Safety Officer who is a Senior Statutory Officer reporting directly to
Mine Manager.
b) The appointed officer shall prepare a report on Environment Management once in
three months initially during mine construction stage and later at six monthly
intervals and submit it to the Manager of the mine.
c) Once in a year the officer will prepare a report on environmental Performance of
the Mine for submission to the higher management of the company including the
Board of Directors. He will specially, point in deficiencies that require approvals
/ sanctions from higher authorities.
10.5 This being a new project, and mining lease is yet to granted, there are no court cases /
litigation against the project.
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11.0 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
11.1
Project Location and Project Description
…
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11.2 Description of Environment … 54
11.3 Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures … 55
11.4 Environmental Monitoring Programme … 56
11.5 Additional Studies … 57
11.6 Project Benefits … 57
11.7 EMP/Environment Management Plan … 57
11.1 Project Location and Project Description
11.1.1 The Government of India, Ministry of Coal has allotted Bicharpur Coal Block, over an
area of 500 ha to the Madhya Pradesh State Mining Corporation Ltd. for non power sector /
merchandise mining. The block is located in Sohagpur Coalfield, Shahdol district, Madhya
Pradesh. The geographical location of the block is given at Figure 1 of this document.
11.1.2 The area of block is a flat terrain with slightly undulating lands going upto level of 483
mRL in the Western and SW part. The block area generally slopes towards north with altitude
going down to 450 mRL.
11.1.3 The proposed lease area does not have any perennial water courses. A nalla called Lotna
nalla flows almost in the middle of the property towards North. It confluences with Murna
Nalla, near northern boundary of the proposed lease. The Murna nalla eventually meets Son
river which controls drainage of the area.
11.1.4 The Sohagpur Coalfield is part of large sediments filled Gondwana trough in Son river
basin. The block area is generally covered by soil and alluvium, with rock exposures only along
nalla cuttings. Coal is not exposed any where in the block. Hence the geology of block is
derived from exploratory drilling.
11.1.5 The detailed exploration of the block was carried out by M/s Naresh Kumar & Company
Pvt. Ltd. However, occurrence of coal was earlier proved by two borehole drilled by GSI.
The exploration was carried out between May 2010 and March 2011. A total of 45 boreholes
were drilled. The four coal seams occurring in block were proved by drilling.
11.1.6 Out of four coal seams, three are workable and have geological reserves 53.39 Mt. Out
of this mineable reserves are 29.12 Mt. The minimum depth of the coal working will be 121 m
while maximum will be 270 m. The gradient of seams is almost flat being 1º to 4º towards
North.
11.1.7 The mine will be an underground coal mine. There are no major faults in the block area.
The coal seams will be approached by a pair of inclined drifts driven at gradient 1 in 5. They
will be driven so as to touch all the three workable seams one after another. For ventilation
return air, a shaft will be sunk, while both inclines will be intake airways.
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11.1.8 Since gradient of coal seams is almost flat, the coal will be won by continuous miners.
The mine is planned on Bord and Pillar method. The IV seam will be developed on this pattern
and will be left sealed. The two seams below, namely III A and II seams, will be developed so
that galleries and pillars are superimposed. However, they will be extracted by a method called
NEW (Non extractive Width) method. In this method, width of extraction is interspaced by solid
pillars designed in such a way that subsidence does not reach surface. The method of extraction
is shown at Figure 4 of this document.
11.1.9 The coal will be brought out of the mine by a conveyor running in the drift. The
conveyer will deliver coal to a overhead bunker from where it will be despatched to the siding,
about 2 km away, by closed dumpers. No washery is proposed at the mine.
11.1.10 All required site services including colony will be located over 15.39 ha. of land.
Out of this, 4.83 ha. will be within the lease while 11.56 ha. will be just outside SW boundary.
Colony is also proposed within the same area.
11.1.11 The life of the mine will be 41 years, including development. The coal extracted will be
29.12 Mt which will 55% of net geological reserves.
11.2 Description of Environment
11.2.1 The proposed lease area / block is flat with stope towards North. There is one village –
Bicharpur within the block area. However, since there will be no subsidence the village will not
be affected. The company will acquire 4.83 ha. of land within block area and 10.56 adjacent
land outside, a total of 15.39 ha , for surface infrastructure and colony.
11.2.2 There are a total of 78 census villages and one urban area Shahdol with 10 km radium
buffer zone from boundary of the block. The total land of area of these villages is 34,165 ha. as
per 2001 Census. The area buffer zone becomes 41,121 ha. after addition of area of Reserved
and Protected Forests, which were measured at 6956 ha. In addition there are 8290 ha. of
revenue forest lands within the buffer zone.
11.2.3 Out of this land area 19,856 ha. is cultivated land which is 48.3% of area of buffer zone.
Forests of all types account for 15,246 ha. or 37.0% of land area.
11.2.4 The proposed lease area has 75.750 ha. of protected forest and 35.061 ha. of Govt.
Revenue Forests, both of which are highly degraded. The Shahdol town occupies a part, nearly
44 ha., of land of the proposed lease.
11.2.5 The area experiences good rainfall, averaging over 1250 mm per year. The climate is hot
during summer and cold during winter. The summer temperatures are usually above 40ºC during
months from April to June. The winter temperatures are usually below 10º with temperature of
0º being recorded. The relative humidity recorded is usually above 50% except during April and
May. Even during these months, the relative humidity recorded does not go below 25%.
The wind velocities are usually below 5 kmph during months between October to January. The
velocities recorded increase in February & March and continue the increase from April to
September. Calm periods are usually low.
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11.2.6 The water courses in the lease area are seasonal except Murna Nalla which only have
pools of water during summer. The ground water resources, of both core and buffer zone, are
mainly due to rain water percolation. The ground water levels during pre monsoon vary from
4.67 m to 9.02 m while during post monsoon they are 1.54 m to 6.48 m. The ground water use is
around 30%, very much below the safe level of 70%.
11.2.7 The quality of water was analysed for six surfaces and four ground water sources. Except
for coliforms in all surface waters and two dug well waters, all the quality parameters were
below desirable levels of drinking water standards. Obviously, the waters of the area are free
from pollution.
11.2.8 The ambient air quality was monitored at six locations, including one within the proposed
lease area. The parameters PM10, and PM 2.5, were much below prescribed limits for rural
areas while Nitrogen dioxide, SO2 and Carbon Monoxide were very much below their prescribed
limits. Remaining parameters were found either absent or below detectable levels. Dust fall
measurements carried out at two locations and values were low, 5.2 t/km2/month &
14.8 t/km2/month.
11.2.9 Noise levels were monitored at six locations. The noise levels recorded were low,
usually below 55 dB(A). Little higher noise levels were recorded at two locations near
highways.
11.2.10 The soil quality of agricultural land showed medium fertility and even barren land was
approaching to this level.
11.2.11 There are no National Parks, Sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves, migratory corridors or any
other eco sensitive areas within 50 km from boundary of proposed lease area. A flora fauna
survey was undertaken in core and buffer zone area. The forests are fairly degraded. There are
no endemic species of flora nor any endangered one. The fauna in the area is also fairly common
and not much variety is found.
11.2.12 The traffic survey indicated that, major traffic on the roads, even National Highway
from Katni to Annupur, was of two wheelers and three wheelers which accounted for 50% on
National Highway and upto 75% on the other roads surveyed.
11.3 Anticipated Environmental Impact and Mitigation Measures
11.3.1 The mine will be worked by underground method at depth varying from 130 m to 270 m.
The coal extraction will be done in such a way that there will not be any surface subsidence.
Thus land can be continued to be used for existing purposes by the land owners.
11.3.2 Only 15.39 ha. of agricultural land will be acquired for infrastructure and colony. Thus
impact on land will be negligible. All owners of 15.39 ha. of acquired land, will be offered jobs,
if they are prepared to work in an underground mine. Thus R & R are involved is limited.
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11.3.3 The impact on Air Quality will be limited. Main causes will be handling of coal at
surface, its transport to siding and handling at siding. Adequate arrangement for spraying water
will be done at all transfer and storage points. The transportation to siding will be done through
closed dumpers.
11.3.4 The only cause of water pollution will be suspended solids in water pumped out from the
mine. These will be removed through settling tanks, before discharging water to surface water
courses.
11.3.5 Blasting will not be regularly undertaken at this mine. In any case blasting at depths
beyond 130 m will have very little impact on surface. The impact on noise levels will only be
due to handling of coal at surface. The whole of acquired surface area will be surrounded by a
green belt to reduce the noise and control dispersion of dust.
11.3.6 Since only 15.39 ha. land will be acquired and there will be no surface subsidence due to
Mining Operations, no land will be affected. Hence there will be no impact on soil quality.
11.3.7 Since the coal will be despatched by rail, the only increase in traffic will be on the road
from mine to railway siding. The management will examine alternatives to reduce the increased
traffic.
11.3.8 Mine Closure Plan
The life of the mine will be 41 years. The underground working of seams will be done
from top to bottom. As soon as working in a seam are over, entries to that seam from the two
approach inclines will be sealed by explosion proof sloppings. When extraction is complete
from all coal seams, the inclines and one shaft from surface will be sealed after bringing out all
equipment from the mine.
The remaining surface land with colony and other infrastructure, the surface
infrastructure that cannot be used by the local community will be dismantled. The colony,
perhaps, will have a ready market due to expansion of Shahdol City.
11.4 Environmental Monitoring Programme
11.4.1 The environmental Monitoring Programme proposed is as under :
a) Quarterly monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5, for eight hours at three station, including
one at downwind side of railway siding. Full 24 hr monitoring once in a year for
all 12 parameters at two stations.
b) Monthly monitoring of water overflowing settling tanks for pH, suspended solids,
total dissolved solids and analysied for all 37 parameters once a year.
c) Monthly monitoring of noise levels at predetermined locations.
11.4.2 Except monitoring of noise levels, other jobs will be outsourced.
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11.5 Additional Studies
11.5.1 Besides Public Consultations, a Social Impact Assessment study was undertaken in
villages within and surrounding lease area. For purpose of survey eight villages within four km
radius zone of the proposed lease area were selected. It also covered ward No. 29 of Shahdol
town which was partly within the block. The 2001 Census data was collected and analysed.
In order to update the data, a sample survey of 350 households was carried out on various
parameters like male- female ratio, population, type and size of families, income data, literacy,
infrastructural facilities, connectivity, post and telephone facilities and civic amenities.
11.5.2 The survey has been utilized to draw out a corporate Social Responsibility Programme
based on interaction with villagers. Besides the household survey, group discussions and Focus
Group Discussions (FGD) were held with the villagers groups. The programme includes,
measures to improve income of Agricultural families, Measures to improve health facilities,
drinking water supply, community infrastructure, entrepreneurship development, skill
development etc.
11.5.3 A total expenditure of Rs. 7.5 crores on capital account and 1.87 crore on revenue
expenditure has been planned during first five years. Details have been drawn on expenditure on
major heads and sub heads and are included to this document as Annexures.
11.6 Project Benefits
11.6.1 The project will supply 0.75 Mt of coal per annum for nearly 40 years. With country’s
energy demand increasing, this will be a good contribution to Country’s economy.
11.6.2 The mine will be a fully mechanized underground coal mine with a high productivity. It
will help the nation to run such highly productive underground mines in future.
11.6.3 The project will employ 577 persons directly, out of which 40 will be unskilled jobs for
which only locals will be employed. A good number of jobs will be created in secondary and
Tertiary Sector.
11.6.4 The company proposes to spend substantial amount for CSR activities, details of which
are described in para 7.5 of this document.
11.7 EMP / Environment Management Plan
11.7.1 The plan of Environment Monitoring is already detailed in para 11.4 above.
11.7.2 The mine will be a mechanised underground mine and under Coal Mines Regulations,
1957 will have to appoint a full time Safety Officer with specified qualifications and experience.
He will also given responsibility of Environment Management. He will be given special training
in Environment Management.
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11.7.3 It will be his duty to ensure that
a. Environment Monitoring is carried out as per schedule and maintain
records of the same.
b. He will ensure that dust suppression measures at surface and underground are
properly functioning.
c. He will ensure that settling ponds are cleaned regularly.
d. Draw out programme for plantation and monitor the same.
e. He will ensure that any deficiencies are brought to the notice of the manager
f. Send reports of monitoring to State PCB and MoEF as per their stipulations
11.7.4 He will directly report to the Mines Manager to whom he will give a regular status report
on Environment. He will also convene a meeting of Sr. Officials every six months to discuss the
status of Environment.
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12.0 DISCLOSURE OF CONSULTANTS ENGAGED
12.1 The consultants who prepared the EIA/EMP document are a private limited company,
Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd., Nagpur.
Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd. has been conditionally accreditated as EIA
Consultant Organisation under QCI – NABET Scheme for Accreditation for three sectors
under Category A.
12.2 The consultancy was started as a partnership firm in 1990 by a group of three
experienced mining engineers, under leadership of Late Prof. G.S. Marwaha, having wide
ranging involvement with a broad spectrum of developmental activity relating to mining
industry, with over 75 years of experience between them. Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd. was set
up later in November 1996.
The areas of expertise include:
a) Preparation of Mining Plan / Mining Schemes under MCR, 1960.,
b) Preparation of EIA/EMP document for Mining Projects and Beneficiation Projects
and Mineral Beneficiation including Public Hearing and defence in the MoEF,
c) Preparation of Mine Closure Plans
d) Preparation of Form 1 application for Mining Projects and defence in MoEF
12.3 Thus, the company’s work has been mostly connected with the mining industry. Since,
inception we have prepared and got approved 24 EIA/EMP documents that is on average of one
per year and 47 Mining Plans.
12.4 These numbers appear to be low because we believe in quality of work and not quantity.
We have been updating contents of our EIA/EMP documents as per changing situation and
requirements of the Ministry of Environment and Forest and its expert committee, from time to
time.
12.5 Our clients have been leading public and private undertaking in the country, like SAIL,
MOIL, Larsen & Toubro Cement Plant, ACC, KIOCL. Generally the clients engaged us because
of quality of work and difficulties they faced with their mines/leases. We prepared final Mine
Closure Plan for KIOCL.
12.6 We generally have been outsourcing collection of Baseline data, unless the client
collected it themselves. The consultants to whom data was outsourced are Envirotech Consult, a
consultancy in Nagpur, run by two senior officers retired from National Environmental
Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and to M/s Nilawar Laboratories, who are
comparatively new entrants, but have one of the best equipped laboratories with ASS. Since
both of these laboratories are not accreditated by NABL or registered with MoEF, we have
entered into an agreement with M/s Vidarbha Enviro Protection Ltd., who are approved company
by MoEF.
We also have number of consultants who carry out part of the work. For instance
Sri J. Dutta, a Senior Geologist (full time), Dr. N.M. Parhad (full time), for Water Pollution,
Shri N.K. Prasad for hydrogeological Survey, Dr. Arati Nandi for Socio-economic survey and
Dr. M.L. Naik for biodiversity and flora/fauna survey. All these are accreditated as
Functional Area Experts by Quality Council of India, NABET.
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We are, perhaps, first consultants, who introduced flora-fauna survey way back in 1994-
95 and undertaken six such surveys, before they became part of TOR.
We are, perhaps, first consultants, who introduced the Concept of Mine Closure Plan,
when we prepared a EIA/EMP document for a proposed coal project back in 1998.
12.7 Presently, after demise of Prof. Marwaha in May 2000, the consultancy is headed by
Shri U.W. Datey, a Mining Engineer with experience of over 50 years & Shri N.M. Sangode a
Mining Engineer with experience of over 44 years.
12.7.1 Shri Datey graduated from Indian School of Mines in 1960. After completing training in
coal mines he went to United Kingdome as Assam Oil Company Scholar and joined Birmingham
University for post graduation research. After completing M.Sc. degree in 1963, Shri Datey
joined as ‘Trainee’ with National Coal Board, United Kingdom. After returned to India in 1964,
he joined Central Mining Research Station, Dhanbad as Scientist incharge of Operations
Research Division. Shri Datey carried out several studies in coal mines and authored a number
of papers based on these studies.
Shri Datey joined the Bastacolla Colliery in 1970 and was transferred to headquarter of
Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. in 1973, where he worked as Technical Secretary to the Directors till
1980. During this period Shri Datey acted as lawyer in Several Court of Enquiries set up after
major accidents in Coal Mines.
After 1980, Shri Datey joined an Explosive Company as General Manager Marketing and
was instrumental in introducing bulk loaded ammonium nitrate in coal mines.
Shri Datey joined Prof. Marwaha to start a consultancy in 1990. The consultancy mainly
operated in the field of preparation of Statutory Mining Plans, Preparation of Environment
Impact Assessment / Environment Management Plan. Shri Datey has now over two decades of
experience in Environmental Field.
12.7.2 Shri N.M. Sangode, a graduate mining Engineer of 1967 batch from ISM. Dhanbad,
worked in large U/G mines of pyrites (PPCL), Gold (KGF), copper, Manganese and large
opencast mines of iron and manganese in managerial capacities for six years. Obtained
unrestricted First Class Mines Managers Certificate of Competency from D.G.M.S. and MBA in
Management studies from Leeds University, U.K. Then joined IBM in 1976 and worked as a
regulatory authority from 1976 to 2001. As Regional Controller of Mines, Goa Region and
Central Zone and Controller of Mines, South Zone, processed and approved large number of
mining plans and thus contributed emensely to the mining industry in systematic and scientific
development of mines and in containing environmental pollution in large mechanized mines. As
Director (Training) IBM, organized several Management Development Programmes for Junior
and Senior Officers of IBM and for executives from Industry on preparation of Scientific Mining
Plans and Environment Management Plans throughout the country including Assam and
Nagaland. Many technical consultancy assignments handled by IBM under his expert guidance
during his tenure as Head of Technical consultancy, mining Research and
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Publication Division of IBM. Based on his MBA thesis, a Central Ore Processing Laboratory
and 50 tpd Pilot plant, biggest in Asia was established in Nagpur by IBM with United Nations
Financial Assistance. Mr. Sangode was selected through UPSC as “Advisor (Science and
Technology)” in the Ministry of Mines, Government of India in 1998-99. However, he missed
the opportunity to work, as the post was abolished by the Ministry.
Presently, working with Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd. for over a decade as Mining and
Environmental Consultant and completed successfully several prestigious assignments for
KIOCL, SAIL, MOIL, MECL, M/s Murli Agro, Usha Martin Ltd., MSPL, RMMPL, M/s Rio-
Tinto etc. related to Mining Plans, EIA/EMPs and Forest and Environmental Clearances.
12.7.3 Both Shri Datey and Shri Sangode are approved as EIA Coordinators for Mining Sector
Projects.
12.8 The consultancy has full-fledged office with full time four staff members including one
draftsman, who is working with us almost since inception.
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