ENVIRONMENT
8.1 Environmental Base line information:
The base line data provides information prediction and evaluation of impacts of mining on biophysical and socio-economic environments. There is no change in base line information as mentioned in the approved mining plan, However, certain base line information of specific importance have been discussed below;
Existing Land use Pattern:
The Details of the area granted under mining lease are tabulated below;
District & State | Tahsil | Village | Khasara / Gat No. | Area in Ha. | Ownership & Land use |
Bhandara | Lakhandur | Dighori | 155 | 14.33 | Revenue land recorded as Hills and stones |
The status of the existing land use pattern is given in the table below :
Sr. No. | Area to be used for | Present in M2 | In Ha. |
1. | Mining Pit | 13,690 | 1.3690 |
2. | Dumping of waste / Rejects | 7,585 | 7,585 |
3. | Area under storage of ore | 600 | 0.0600 |
4. | Area under mineralized rejects | 400 | 0.0400 |
5. | Sheds/Building etc. | 200 | 0.0200 |
6. | Road | 300 | 0.0300 |
Total | 22,775 | 2.2775 |
From the above table it can be seen that at present about 2.2775 Ha. Area is covered under mining pits, road and other ancillary operations relating to mining.
Water Regime:
In the proposed mining lease area there is no stream or nalla or any other kind water bodies are in existence. One seasonal nalla is flowing along the eastern boundary drained through the natural course of drainage following the slopes. This drainage course is totally seasonal.
No other water bodies are in existence. The ground water table in the adjoining plain areas is about 6 to 9 mts. From the general ground level.
Being no surface water bodies are available in the area the question protection does not arise.
In case of ground water the proposed mining operations at present is above the static water level in the area as the mining activities are existing at present on high land ground but at the in the pit which would be compensated due to infiltaration of stored rain water in the mining pit during rainy season.
The Sillimanite producing from the mine is sold in raw from and no beneficiation by chemical process for upgrading the ore are being carried out, as such there will not be any contamination to the existing water bodies around the proposed area.
The accumulated water during rainy season was drained out by diesel operated pump for production of sillimanite and water will be discharged in the eastern part of the area through drain pipe which will follow the natural course of drainage. There is no impact on quality of mine water and any interference with surface water sources.
Water is required for drinking purposes to the miners. Ground water from the existing bore well in the area is hygienic and unpolluted. Mine laborers are drinking water from the existing bore well in the area is hygienic and unpolluted. Mine laborers are drinking water from the bore wells located in the area and no adverse effect was noticed so far..
Another use of water is for dust suppression on mine roads, one tanker of 3000 Its is sufficient for the day. No other activity is involved related to water. Ground water balance studies was carried out by the lessee for the mining project and approved by Central Ground Water Board Authority. Copy of the same if desired by the IBM the same will be submitted.
Quality of air:
In general the quality of air in the area is normal and fresh.
Ambient Noise level:
Being a rural area and no big township of industrial development near by the lease area the noise level is normal.
Flora and Fauna:
The land under mining lease is private revenue land. There is no forest land included in the area, however, scanty vegetation growth in the area exists. Trees of palas, Babool, Neem and shrubs of Bharati are grown in the area. Paddy, whwat and pulses are main crops cultivated on the plain agricultural areas.
The area is devoid of wild life; however foxes, rabbits, Moongus etc. are occasionally seen. Snake and scorpions are very common. Species of pigeon, seven sisters and Maina are commonly seen.
Climatic Conditions
The area is characterized by sub tropical climate. The day temperature during summer rises as high as 460 C in chilly winter days. The average annual rainfall is 950 mm and average rainy days are 52 from the month of July to September.
Human settlement:
Human settlement is seen in the village Dighori and surrounding villages. The villagers fall under in low to medium income group as only agriculture is the main occupation of the villagers and the land is cultivated only during the rainy season. Some villagers are also working in the mines and forest as laborers.
Lifestyle of the people will not be disturbed by mining activity. Laborers would be engaged for mining from adjoining villages and as such there is no problem of human settlement.
Public buildings, Worship places and Monuments:
The lease area is free from any public building, worship places and monument. Hence, the question regarding adverse effect caused due to mining does not envisaged.
No wild life sanctuary is located in the vicinity of lease hold, core and in buffer zone…
8.2 Impact Assessment:
Environment Impact Assessment is a sound tool to evaluate the impact of mining and beneficiation on environment.
Relevant information needed for evaluation of impact of mining and beneficiation on environment is discussed below;
i) Land Area :
The status of the existing and after review period of five years position regarding land use pattern is given in the table below;
Sr. No. | Area to be used for | Present in M2 | After Fifth Year in M2 |
1. | Mining Pit | 13,690 | 13,690 |
2. | Dumping of waste / Rejects | 7,585 | 7,583 |
3. | Area under storage of ore | 600 | 750 |
4. | Area under mineralized rejects | 400 | 1,200 |
5. | Sheds/Building etc | 200 | 200 |
6. | Road | 300 | 300 |
Total | 22,775 | 23,775 |
From the above table it can be seen that at the end of review period about 2.3725 Ha. Area would be covered under mining pits, dumping of waste, road, and other ancillary operations relating to mining. Including the area broken by pits in the past and area covered under old dumps.
ii) Air Quality :
The area is away from the industrialization and habitation. The proposed mining operations would be carried out mostly by manual means, as such there is hardly any adverse impact on air quality is being envisaged.
Sillimanite production is mostly means. Drilling of shot holes will be carried out by compressed air operated jack hammer by engaging private licensed contractors or by manual means with the help of crowbar. The dust and noise will be generated during drilling and blasting, which is momentary. Due to plying of tippers and trucks for loading of ore for transportation, it is expected in the increase of noise level but no significance effect would be envisaged. Only it has significance from the occupational health point of view.
The proposed mining activity is likely to contribute additional Suspended Particulate matter (SPM). Dust from mining area sources and oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Hydrocarbons from automobile exhausts.
During the proposed mining activities blasting will be carried out once or twice in a month. Waste material and sillimanite ore is to be transported to the dumping and sorting yard respectively. SPM and NOx emission are envisaged during these blasting and transportation operations. Even though blasting generates NOx, it will be instantaneous. Also NOx emission from the vehicular movement on surface would be intermittent and fleeting.
Quantity of dust rose due to blasting and will be carried by winds but the proposed plantation and existing vegetation in the form of shrubs and bushes will reduce the dust speed. The dust formed due to mining activities and transportation of ore would be minimum due to manual mining, which is within the tolerable limit and need not be required for any remedial measure.
iii) Water Quality :
Nature of Water Bodies: In the mining lease area there is no stream or nallah or any other kind of water bodies are in existence.
During rainy season water from the area drained thought the natural course of drainage following the slopes. The drainage pattern of the area is simple in nature and totally seasonal.
Protection of water bodies: Being no surface water bodies are available in the area the question of protection does not arise. Any adverse effect on the seasonal nalla which is flowing along the eastern boundary towards northwest direction of the area is also not foreseen.
iv) Noise Levels :
Drilling and Blasting operations will be carried out during the day hours when the noise level itself increased compared to night hours due to public routine activities and the increase is noise generation due to drilling will not be of much significant and noise due to blasting is momentary..
Sources of generation of noise are mainly in this case is drilling and blasting. Abatement of these noise sources will be ensured by carrying out drilling operations only during daytime and blasting whenever required will be carried out at midday to lessen the impact.
v) Vibration Levels (Due to Blasting)-
Vibration caused due to occasional blasting will not be of much significance as small dia holes with special gelatin and detonator will be used for blasting.. The area is also away from any township or industry thus hardly any impact of vibration caused to the from any township or industry thus hardly any impact of vibration caused to the proposed blasting will be minimum. Moreover, vibration caused due to blasting is momentary and hence not much impact will be envisaged.
vi) Water regime :
In the proposed mining lease area there is no stream or nalla or any other kind of water bodies are in existence. One seasonal nalla is flowing along the eastern boundary towards northwest direction in existence. During rainy season water from the area drained through the natural course of drainage following the slopes. This drainage course is totally seasonal.
No other water bodies are in existence. The ground water table in the area is about 18 to 21 mts. From the general ground level.
In case of ground water the proposed mining operations at present is above the static water level in the area, but at the end of the lease period when the pit would be deepened the ground water would flow in the pit which would be compensated due to infiltration of stored rain water in the mining pit during rainy season..
The accumulated water during rainy season was drained out by diesel operated pump for taking production of sillimanite and water will be discharged in the eastern part of the area through drain pipe which will follow the natural course of drainage. There is no impact on quality of mine water and any interference with suface water sources.
The drinking water in the area is hygienic and unpolluted. Mine laborers are drinking water from the bore wells located in the area and no adverse effect was noticed so far..
vii) Acid Mine Drainage :
There is no chemical process involved in the up- gradation of sillimanite ore and there is no effluent of processed water or acid contamination this problem does not arise.
viii) Surface Subsidence :
Problem of Surface Subsidence does not envisage.
ix) Socio-economics-
Socio – economic benefits out of mining:
Mining activities in the proposed area will produce some improvements in the social – economic levels of the area. The nearby villages are expected to receive maximum benefits out of this project. This project will provide employment to local skilled, semiskilled and unskilled persons.
Transportation facilities will improve to transport ore from mine. The improved transportation facilities may enable the region to open to some new avenues of development. Improved health facilities are expected to come-up in the area for catering to the health care of miners. The improved health care facilities will improve the quality of life in the area.
The mining activities will provide employment to persons of different skills and trades. The local population who are currently dependent on agriculture will definitely have avenue from the mining operation. The employment potential will enrich economic conditions of these families directly and provide employment to many other families indirectly.
x) Historical Monuments etc. :
The lease and surrounding area is free from any historical monuments etc. hence not applicable.
Environment Protection Measures :
Air Pollution Control arrangement at Ore Segregation, Crushing & Screening, conveyor belts : Air Pollution Control arrangement in form of Regular Water Sprinkling on haul roads, approach road, tree plantation within the lease area and Ore Segregation unit has been completely covered with tarpaulin sheet.
We have made arrangement of 3 to 4 tractor mounter water sprinkler for covering 20 to 25 mtr radius on roads and other parts where truck movement like below the loading point for dust suppression.
Crusher has been completely closed because of which air pollution will not happen.
Air Pollution Control arrangements at sillimanite pulverizing unit. : Sillimanite Pulverizing unit has been completely covered with tarpaulin sheet.
Water Sprinkling on Roads :- We have tractor mounted water sprinkling arrangement within our area for water sprinkling on haul road and approach road.
Sedimentation has been provided which comes under benches extension and we have initiated work of construction of another sedimentation tank for mine sum water.
Garland drain has been provided but due to rainy season grass and mud filled in that so cleaning work started and new extension to garland drain also started.
PLANTATION : Every year plantation of different fruit trees and regular breed trees are done inside and outside the lease area. Now days Inside the lease area around 1412 trees are survived out of 3000 plants means survival rate is approx. 50 %.
