environmental clearance for vijay ii iron ore mine

Expansion of Vijay-II Iron Ore Mining Project of M/s Usha Martin Limited located in Village Ghatkuri, Tehsil Noamundi, District West Singbhum, Jharkhand

Environmental Clearance MOEF Letter No.: No. J-11015/507/2007-IA.II(M) Compliance status as on : 30.09.2015 . Period :April 2015 to September 2015



Sl. No. Specific Conditions Compliance Status

i The project proponent shall obtain Consent to Establish from the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board and effectively implement all the conditions stipulated therein.

The consent to establish has been obtained from Jharkhand state pollution control board, Ranchi vide letter no – 3676 dated 11

th

December 2007. All the stipulated condition has been implemented.

ii. Necessary forestry clearance under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for an area of 155.078 ha forest land shall be obtained before starting mining operation in that area. Till such time mining activities shall be restricted to an area of 29.4648 ha for which forestry clearance has been obtained from the ministry on 12.07.2005. Environmental clearance is subject to grant of forestry clearance.

We have obtained forest diversion for entire lease hold area of 155.078 Ha excluding safety zone (8.6073 ha) area, granted by MoEF, New Delhi, vide letter no. F.No.8-88/2007 – FC (pt) dated 9

th November, 2012. Mining is currently

being carried in 35.6645 ha. After getting the permission of 6.1997 ha. From forest department vide letter no 2388 dated 03.12.2014. Permission letter of forest department is attached as Annexure 1

iii. Environmental clearance is subject to the final order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of Goa Foundation vs Union of India in writ petition (Civil) No. 460 of 2004, as may be applicable to this project.

In view of MOEF letter no. F. No. 6-10/2011 WL Dated: 15th March 2011 clearance from NBWL is not needed in respect of our mine.

iv. Environmental clearance is subject to obtaining clearance under the wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 from the competent authority, as may be applicable to this project.

NA

v. The mining operations shall be restricted to above ground water table and it should not intersect ground water table. In case of working below ground table, prior approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the

Water table is reported as 470 m AMSL. Ultimate pit limit of our mining has been planned as 630 m AMSL which is far above the ground water table and therefore mining operations does not intersect ground water table.



Central Ground Water Authority shall be obtained, for which a detailed hydro-geological study shall be carried out.

vi. The project proponent shall ensure that no natural watercourse and / or water resources shall be obstructed due to any mining operations. The first order streams and the seasonal nallahs originating from the mining lease areas shall be protected.

Retaining wall, garland drain, settling tank, Settling cum percolation pond and check dam have been developed to prevent run-off water and flow of sediments directly in to any watercourse. Oikos Consultants has been engaged to convert the mining and reclamation plan in GIS model for taking more precaution with proper planning.

vii. The top soil, if any, shall temporarily be stored at earmarked site(s) only and it should not be kept unutilized for long. The topsoil shall be used for land reclamation and plantation.

Top soil is being stored in ear marked area. It is used for plantation within mining lease area. Presently, 170 MT top soils has been stacked at mine.

viii. The over burden (OB) generated during the mining operations shall be stacked at earmarked dump site only and it should not be kept active for a long period and their phase-wise stabilization shall be carried out. There shall be one external dump in an area of 5.91ha.The maximum height of the dumps shall not exceed 50m having 5 terraces of 10m each and the overall slope of the dump shall be maintained to 28 0. The proponent shall ensure slope stability based on study carried out in this regard. The OB dump should be scientifically Vegetated with suitable native species to prevent erosion and surface run off. In critical areas, use of geo textiles shall be undertaken for stabilization of the

Stacked in earmarked dump sites. Terracing of dump is being done maintaining the height of 10m each. To stabilize the dump, saplings have been planted. A study has been carried for slope stabilization by Central Institute of Mining And Fuel Research, Dhanbad. Recommendations of which is being implemented. Compliance reports are submitted to MOEF Ranchi on a six monthly basis. The last such report was submitted vide our letter- Vijay-II/BBL/MOEF/2015-16/52 Dated 19.06.2015. Copy of the Covering letter is enclosed as Annexure-2. Photographs of terracing of dump is enclosed as Annexure 3



dump. Monitoring and management of rehabilitated areas shall continue until the vegetation becomes self-sustaining. Compliance status shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar on six monthly basis.

ix. Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed around the mine working, mineral and OB dump(s) to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the Karo River, the Koina River, Seasonal nallahs and other water bodies. The water so collected should be utilized for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development etc. The drains shall be regularly desilted particularly after the monsoon and maintained properly.

Garland drains, settling tanks and check dams of appropriate size, gradient and length shall be constructed both around the mine pit and over burden dump to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the Karo River, the Koina River, seasonal nallahs and other water bodies and sump capacity should be designed keeping 50% safety margin over and above peak sudden rainfall (based on 50 years data ) and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site. Sump capacity should also provide adequate retention period to

Complied. Retaining wall, garland drain, terracing of dump, settling tank, SCP pond, two sedimentation pits and check dam have been developed to prevent run-off water and flow of sediments directly into the Rivers. De-siltation is being done regularly after monsoon. Photographs of Check Dam, Retaining wall, De-siltation of SCP Pond & settling tank, terracing of dump are enclosed as Annexure-4.



allow proper settling of silt material. Sedimentation pits shall be constructed at the corners of the garland drains and de-silted at regular intervals.

x. Dimension of the retaining wall at the toe of the over burden dump and the OB benches within the mine to check run-off and siltation shall be based on the rain fall data.

Complied. Photographs attached as Annexure 04.

xi. Plantation shall be raised in an area of 27.8048 ha including a 7.5m wide green belt in the safety zone around the mining lease, over burden dump, backfilled and reclaimed area, mine benches, around crushing and screening plant, roads etc. by planting the native species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees should be around 2500 plants per ha.

As per the guidance of DFO, Saranda & Range Forest Officer, Gua Forest Range, plant species have been selected and genarated in our own nursery at Bokna. The capacity of nursery is 40000 saplings. A Hydropit and green house have been developed for the better survival of plant species. 7.5 m wide green belt all along boundary of the mining lease area is being maintained. Plantation is being done on dead end slop of the waste dump.

Photographs of plantation enclosed as Annexure-5.

xii.

Effective safeguard measures such as regular water sprinkling shall be carried out in critical areas prone to air pollution and having high levels of SPM and RSPM such as haul road, loading and unloading point and transfer points. It shall be ensured that the Ambient Air Quality parameters conform to the norms prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board in this regard.

21 No. of water tankers for water spraying on haul road, loading and unloading points and in the route of traffic movements have been engaged. It is being done at regular interval to suppress dust in the area.500 meter fixed water sprinkling system along the haul road has been developed. The Ambient Air Quality monitoring is being carried twice a week by MOEF & NABL recognized Laboratory. The monitoring results confirm the norms prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board.

AAQ monitoring report in respect of Vijay-II Iron Ore Mine enclosed as Annexure-6



xiii. Regular monitoring of the flow rate

of the springs and perennial nallahs flowing in and around the mine lease shall be carried out and records maintained.

Flow rate of Karo river & Koina river is being monitored on regular basis and record of the same has been maintained.

Monitoring report is enclosed as Annexure 7.

xiv. The project authority should implement suitable conservation measures to augment ground water resources in the area in consultation with the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

Approved rain water harvesting structure has been developed in ML area and completion report enclosed as annexure 4A. Apart from this a rain water harvesting structure has been constructed outside lease hold area at Bokna to recharge ground water. Annually 7,087 cubic meter rain water is being augmented ground water resources through this rain water structure.

Photographs of RWH structure at Mine (SCP Pond, Settling tank & Check Dam) is enclosed as Annexure-4.

xv. Regular monitoring of ground water level and quality shall be carried out in and around the mine lease by establishing a network of existing wells and constructing new piezometers during the mining operation. The monitoring shall be carried out four times in a year, pre-monsoon (April-May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January) and the data thus collected may be sent regularly to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office, Bhubaneswar, the Central Ground Water Authority and the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board. If at any stage, it is observed that the ground water table is getting depleted due to the mining activity; necessary corrective measures shall be carried out.

A Piezometer has been installed in the second limb of our lease hold area at the lowest RL of Vijay II Iron Ore Mine. At any stage of mining activity shall not intersect ground water table as the mining is above 630 m AMSL and the ground water table is reported at 470 m AMSL. Monitoring of groundwater level and quality is being carried out on quarterly basis, by establishing a network identified wells at suitable around project area. Ground water level & ground water quality monitoring reports for the Qtr ending on june 2015 & September 2015 are enclosed as Annexure- 8.



xvi. The project proponent shall obtain

necessary prior permission of the competent authorities for drawl of requisite quantity of water (surface water and ground water) for the project.

We have obtained permission for withdrawal of 0.055 MCM water per annum from water resources department , Ranchi, Jharkhand vide letter no. 2/PMC/Water supply -87/2007/477 dated 02.04.2008 and 50 kl per day ground water from Member secretary CGWA New Delhi vide letter no CGWB/MER/CGWA/2007-588 dated 25.05.2007.

xvii. Suitable rainwater harvesting

measures on long term basis shall be planned and implemented in consultation with the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

Approved rain water harvesting structure has been developed in ML area and completion report enclosed as annexure 4A.

Photographs of RWH structure at Mine (SCP Pond, Settling tank, Check Dam) is enclosed as Annexure-4.

xviii. Appropriate mitigative measures shall be taken to prevent pollution of the Karo River, the Koina River in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

The orientation of mine benches is such that no runoff from our mine is towards Karo river. However to protect the Koina River the below measures have been under taken: Garland drain has been developed at the toe of waste dump. Retaining wall protection. Sand Bags stacked over the retaining wall for protection. Settling Tank has been constructed of dimensions (10mX5mX3m). The Settling Tank is desilted & maintained just before every monsoon. Dumping is being done in ear marked area maintaining 10mtr height of each bench and each terrace has been provided with inward sloping berm and saplings is being planted dead end slop of the dump.

Photographs of SCP Pond, settling tank & check dam, retaining wall, terracing of dump, side



berm, garland drain, biological reclamation enclosed as Annexure-4.

Surface water quality monitoring reports for the Qtr ending on June 2015 & September 2015 are enclosed as Annexure-9.

xix. Vehicular emissions shall be kept under control and regularly monitored. Measures shall be taken for maintenance of vehicles used in mining operation and in transportation of mineral from mine face to the beneficiation plant. The vehicles shall be covered with a tarpaulin and shall not be overloaded.

Complied. Vehicles with valid PUC certificates are allowed in mines and a hard bonded registered is being maintained. . Photograph of tarpaulin covered trucks ready for dispatch is enclosed as Annexure-10.

xx. No blasting shall be carried out after sunset. Blasting operation shall be carried out only during the daytime. Controlled blasting shall be practiced. The mitigative measures for control of ground vibrations and to arrest fly rocks and boulders should be implemented.

Complied. Presently, we are using true bottom initiation technique (Nonel) for blasting to control ground vibration & minimize the fly rocks.

xxi. Drill shall either be operated with dust extractors or equipped with water injection system.

Complied. Photographs of Drills operated with water injection system are enclosed as Annexure-11.

xxii. Mineral handling area shall be provided with adequate number of high efficiency dust extraction system. Loading and unloading areas including the transfer points should also have efficient dust control arrangements. These should be properly maintained and operated.

The moisture content in our Iron Ore is more than 5.5% during peak summer. Moisture is self-sufficient. Water is sprinkled in mineral , loading and unloading point with 21 number of water tanker which is equipped with water sprinkling arrangement to suppress dust. 500 meter fixed water sprinkling system has been installed along the haul road to suppress dust. Photographs of water spraying arrangement at plant, Sprinkler on haul road and water tanker spraying water on haul road are enclosed as



Annexure-12.

xxiii. Consent to operate shall be obtained from the State Pollution Control Board prior to start of enhanced production from the mines.

We have obtained consent to operate for 2.5 MTPA vide letter no. – PC/JSR/Air/V-19/06/ B—4197 dated 19/10/2015.

xxiv. Sewage treatment plant shall be installed for the colony. ETP shall also be provided for the workshop and wastewater generated during mining operation

Not applicable as we do not have any colony and the workshop within the mine. There is no generation of effluent water from our mining related activities.

xxv. Pre-placement medical examination and periodical medical examination of the workers engaged in the project shall be carried out and records maintained. For the purpose, schedule of health examination of the workers should be drawn and followed accordingly.

Pre placement medical examination and periodical occupational health surveillance programme of the workers engaged in the project has been done as per the standards of mines Rule1955 and latest prescriptions by DGMS. 20% of population is covered every year in the periodic medical examination. This is done through EZMA and results are reviewed by our company doctor, corrective actions are taken, if any. Photographs of Occupational health check up are enclosed as Annexure-13.

xxvi The project proponent shall take all precautionary measures during mining operation for conservation and protection of endangered fauna

Effective Protective Measures undertaken at Vijay-II Iron Ore Mine Working pits have been duly fenced to prevent inadvertent entry of any wild animals.



namely elephant, leopard, wolf etc. spotted in the study area. Action plan for conservation of flora and fauna prepared shall be implemented in consolation with the State Forest and Wildlife Department. All the safeguard measures bought out in the Wildlife Conservation Plan so prepared specific to this project site shall be effectively implemented. Necessary allocation of funds for implementation of the conservation plan shall be made and the funds so allocated shall be included in the project cost. A copy of action plan shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office, Bhubaneswar.

In addition to these following measures have also been adopted in mines to protect flora & fauna of the area: 1)Solar Fencing- Solar fencing of 2.4 m high fenced with 5 strands of HT wire has been erected. Solar fencing will help us to prevent any type of wild animal to enter in to the working mining pit area. 2) Scientific blasting using Nonel technology has been adopted to reduce the noise and vibration. The blasting operation is carried out during the day time only. 3) Ore dispatches from mining area have been carried out during dawn to dusk.

State is preparing a comprehensive wildlife conservation plan for entire Saranda region by the Team of Experts, Dr. D. S. Srivastava, Dr. P. S. Easa, Sri J. B. Jauher constituted by Govt. of Jharkhand. We have already paid Rs. 33.79 lakh as a contribution amount for study of management plan. After the recommendation of Govt. of Jharkhand vide letter No. F.No.403 (2) Date 07.11.2012, the same will be implemented.

xxvii. The entire mining lease area shall be fenced by erecting solar powered electric fencing all around it. The fencing so erected shall be maintained properly and the cost towards erection and maintenance of the solar powered electric fencing shall be borne by the project proponent out of the project cost.

The working pits of the mining lease area have been fenced by barbed wire and solar powered electric fencing has been erected over the outer boundary of the Mining Lease leaving some space for wild animal movement. Photographs of solar electric power fencing are enclosed as Annexure-14

xxviii. No transportation of ore outside the mine lease area shall be carried out after sunset.

Being done.



xxix. Provision shall be made for the

housing of construction labour within the site with all necessary infrastructure and facilities such as fuel for cooking, mobile toilets, mobile STP, safe drinking water, medical healthcare, creche etc. The housing may be in the form of temporary structures to be removed after the completion of the project.

Complied. All the workers come for job from surrounding villages and return to their respective dwellings in the evening on daily basis. However we have provided canteen facility, drinking water, toilet, first aid, rest shelter for worker at Vijay II Iron Ore Mine.

xxx. A Final Mine Closure Plan along with details of Corpus Fund shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests 5 Years in advance of final mine closure for approval.

Final mine closure plan will be prepared and submitted for approval 5 years in advance.

General conditions i. No change in mining technology and

scope of working should be made without prior approval of the Ministry of Environment & Forests.

There is no any change in mining technology and scope of working.

ii. No change in the calendar plan including excavation, quantum of mineral iron ore and waste should be made.

No change in the calendar plan including excavation, Quantum of Iron ore, waste/OB dumps has been achieved.

Financial Year

Iron Ore ROM

(In Tonnes)

OB/Waste

(In Tonnes)

2010-11 1593087 114334

2011-12 1476962 187880

2012-13 1786771 77031

2013 – 14 1644201 87385

2014-2015 1274628.32 302041.98



Production is being done as per approved Mining Scheme and EC clearance.

iii. Four ambient air quality - monitoring stations should be established in the core zone as well as in buffer zone for RSPM, SPM, SO2 and NOx monitoring. Location of stations should be decided based on the meteorological data, topographical features and environmentally and ecologically sensitive targets and frequency of monitoring should be undertaken in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

We have established four AAQ monitoring station in the Core zone as well as buffer zone for RSPM, SPM, SO2 and NOx monitoring. AAQ monitoring is being done twice a week in core as well as in buffer zone. We have established weather monitoring station ( Envirotech Model WM 271) in our Vijay II Iron Ore Mines . Photographs of ambient air quality (AAQ) monitoring station and meteorological Station enclosed as at Core zone and buffer zone are as Annexure-15.

iv. Data on ambient air quality (RSPM, SPM, S02&NOx) should be regularly submitted to the Ministry including its Regional office located at Bhubaneswar and the State Pollution Control Board / Central Pollution Control Bard once in six months.

Being done.

v. Fugitive dust emissions from all the sources should be controlled regularly. Water spraying arrangement on haul roads, loading and unloading and at transfer points should be provided and properly maintained.

Water is sprinkled along the haul road, loading and unloading point and transfer points at regular interval with the help of 21 no. of sprinkling system equipped water tanker to suppress dust. 500 meter fixed water sprinkling system has also been installed to suppress dust. To control dust emission from sources different action have been taken-

a) Crushers and screening plants equipped with water sprinkler arrangement.

b) Wet drilling is being done c) Blasting is done by using Nonel

technology. Photographs of Drills operated water injection



system are enclosed as Annexure-11. Photographs of Water spraying arrangements at plant & water sprinkling on haul road are enclosed as Annexure-12.

vi. Measures should be taken for control of noise levels below 85 dBA in the work environment. Workers engaged in operations of HEMM, etc. should be provided with ear plugs / muffs.

Following measures have been taken to keep noise level below 85 dBA- a. Sound proof cabins have been provided for workers deployed on heavy machines such as dozer, dumper and shovels etc. b. Earplugs/muffs have been provided to the workmen. c. Necessary steps are taken to reduce exposure time of workers to high noise through rotation of duties. d. Acoustic enclosure have been provided to all the DG Sets. e. Maintenance of equipment's is done regularly. Noise level monitoring report for the quarter ending on June -2015 & September 2015 is enclosed as Annexure -16.

vii. Industrial waste water (workshop and waste water from the mine) should be properly collected, treated so as to confirm to the standards prescribed under GSR 422 (E) dated 19th May, 1993 and 31st December, 1993 or as amended from time to time. Oil and grease trap should be installed before discharge of workshop effluents.

Not applicable as there is no process effluent generation from our mining operation & we do not have any workshop within the mining lease area.

viii. Personnel working in dusty areas should wear protective respiratory devices and they should also be provided with adequate training and information on safety and health aspects.

Occupational health surveillance

Any person is engaged in mining work after providing adequate training and information on safety and health aspect and with protective respiratory devices. Photographs of Occupational health checkup are enclosed as Annexure 13.



program of the workers should be undertaken periodically to observe any contractions due to exposure to dust and take corrective measures, if needed.

ix. A separate environmental management cell with suitable qualified personnel should be set-up under the control of a Senior Executive, who will report directly to the Head of the Organization.

The following members are looking in to the environmental aspect of Vijay-II Iron Ore Mine headed by Agent mines; Sr. DGM mines Mr. M. B. Singh.

1) Mr. I. N. Rao, Sr. V.P. (Environment) 2) Mr. M. B. singh Sr. DGM & Agent

(Mines) 3) Manoj Kumar ( Mines Manager) 4) Mr. D. Das, Manager (Geology) 5) Mr. Ramendra Kumar, Senior Officer

(Environment)

x. The funds earmarked for environmental protection measures should be kept in separate account and should not be diverted for other purpose. Year wise expenditure should be reported to the Ministry and its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar.

We have kept separate fund to comply forest & environmental conditions. The head wise expenditure incurred by us in environmental protection measures from 1

st April 2015 to 30th

September 2015 is enclosed as Annexure-17.

xi. The project authorities should inform to the Regional office located at Bhubaneswar regarding date of financial closures and final approval of the project by the concerned authorities and the date of start of land development work.

Shall be Complied.

xii. The Regional Office of this Ministry located at Bhubaneswar shall monitor compliance of the stipulated conditions. The project authorities should extend full cooperation to the officer (s) of the Regional Office by furnishing the requisite data /

The requisite data/information/monitoring reports are provided and co-operation is extended to the Regional office of Ministry.



information / monitoring reports.

xiii. The project proponent shall submit six monthly reports on the status of the implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, its Regional Office, Bhubaneswar, Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board.

Submitting on regular basis.

xiv. The project proponent shall submit six monthly reports on the status of the implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, its Regional Office, Bhubaneswar, Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board.

Six monthly reports on the status of implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards are submitted regularly.

xv. A copy of clearance letter will be marked to concerned Panchayat / local NGO, if any, from whom suggestion / representation has been received while processing the proposal.

Complied

xvi. State Pollution Control Board should display a copy of the clearance letter at the Regional office, District Industry Centre and Collectors office / Tehsildar's Office with 30 days.

Not applicable to us.

xvii. The project authorities should advertise at least in two local newspapers widely circulated, one of which shall be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned, within 7 days of the issue of the clearance letter informing that the project has been accorded

Complied Information regarding grant of EC was advertised in following newspapers- 1. Prabhat khabar (Hindi) dated 30.12.2008. 2. The Telegraph (English) dated 29.12.2008. Same has been informed to Regional office of



environmental clearance and copy of the clearance letter is available with the State Pollution Control Board and also at web site of the Ministry of Environment and Forests at http://envfor.nic.in and a copy of the same should be forwarded to the Regional Office of this Ministry located Bhubaneswar.

Ministry vide our letter dated 05.01.2009.

3. The Ministry or any other competent authority may alter/modify the above conditions or stipulate any further condition in the interest of environment protection

Noted for compliance

4.0 Failure to comply with any of the conditions mentioned above may result in withdrawal of this clearance and attract action under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.


5.0 The above conditions will be enforced inter-alia, under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 along with their amendments and rules made thereunder and also any other orders passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India/High Court of Jharkhand and any other Court of Law relating to the subject matter.


6.0 Any appeal against this environmental clearance shall lie with the National Environment Appellate Authority, if preferred




within a period of 30 days as prescribed under Section 11 of the National Environment Appellate Act, 1997

Annexure: 01

Annexure: 02

Annexure: 03

Terracing on waste Dump & Plantation

Annexure: 04

Check- Dam

SCP Pond & Settling tank

Retaining wall Terracing of Dump & Biological reclamation

Annexure: 04 (a)

Annexure: 05

Safety zone Plantation

Plantation at Vijay II Iron Ore Mine

Annexure: 06

environmental clearance for vijay ii iron ore mine

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