No.J-11015/313/2006-IA.II(M)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhawan,

C.G.O.Complex,

New Delhi -110510.

 

Dated:  22nd June 2009

To

Director,

M/s DVC Emta Coal Mines Ltd.,

806, Central Plaza,

2/6 Sarat Bose Road,

KOLKATTA ? 700 020.

 

Sub:     Khagra-Joydev Block Opencast Coal Mine Project (3 MTPA) of M/s DVC Emta Coal Mines Ltd., located in Block Dubrajpur, district Birbhum, West Bengal  - environmental clearance ? reg.

Sir,

 

    This has reference to your letter No. DVC EMTA/MoEF/KJ/2006/30 dated 14.10.2006 along with your application for Terms of Reference (TOR) and this Ministry?s grant of TOR vide letter dated 27.12.2006 and your letter dated 23.02.2009 along with your application for environmental clearance based on TOR and subsequent letters dated 29.04.2009 and 04.06.2009 on the above-mentioned subject. The Ministry of Environment & Forests has considered your application.  It is noted that the project is for opening a new Khagra-Joydev Opencast Coal Mine Project of 3 MTPA production capacity for captive use of its Mejia (Extension) Thermal power plant, Gangajhalgati and Durgapur TPP, both located in West Bengal. The total land requirement (project area) is 1215.24 ha allotted for both opencast and underground mining. The present project seeking environmental clearance is for opencast mining only. Of the total project area, 814.34 ha is agricultural land, 285.60 ha is forestland, 44.58 ha is surface water bodies, and 82.88 ha is others (including safety zone). Forestry clearance has been applied for. River Ajoy and its tributary namely River Hingla and River Kana flow along the eastern boundary of the block. The project involves modification of the natural drainage by diversion of River Hingla flowing within the lease and the diverted river to join with River Kana. The mine is at a lower level (67m RL) as compared to that of River Hongla (72m RL). It is also proposed to construct an embankment along the river Ajoy 5m above HFL and along Rivers Hingla and Kana on both sides to prevent mine inundation and maintain the river course. The schedule of construction of embankment is 2 years. The present project is however for opencast operations only of which 903.61 ha is quarry area. Some land bordering the block is being acquired for the purpose of creation of ext. dump (126 ha), topsoil dump (36.30 ha), temporary ext. sand dump (20 ha), infrastructure including colony and R&R site (36 ha), and safety zone (120 ha) as part of project area which together with the quarry area of 903.61 ha would comprise the total project are of 1215.24.

 

Mining will be opencast by mechanised method using surface miners for coal extraction; however, OB removal would involve blasting.  The rated capacity of the mine is 3 MTPA of coal production would be achieved by 4th year. No ancillary operation such as mineral processing is involved. Mineral transportation of 9000 TPD of coal to coal washery would be by belt conveyors of a length of 4.5 km. Ultimate working depth of the mine is 160m below ground level (bgl). Water table is in the range of 2-11.7m bgl during post-monsoon. Mining will intersect water table. Peak mine water discharge is estimated as 1200 m3/d. An estimated 643.56 Mm3 of wastes including OB will be generated during the life of mine of which 10 Mm3 would be topsoil, which would be used for green belt development. About 60 Mm3 of OB would be stored in one external OB dump of a maxm. of 60m height over an area of 126 ha and the balance 336.56 Mm3 of OB would be backfilled in a decloaed area of 762.28 ha and raised to a height of 20m above ground level and reclaimed with plantation leaving a void of 88.30 ha which is to be converted into a water body. Backfilling would begin from 2nd year and concurrent backfilling from 16th year. Project involves R&R of 10 villages ? Devipur (8), Joplai (70), Jhirul (6), Palashdanga (63), Loba (78), Barari (36), Khojkamalapur (85), Kota (177), Birbhadrapur (8), Kamalapur (8) consisting of 539 PAFs (2986 PAPs), which would be undertaken in phases. A site for resettlement colony has been identified. Public Hearing was held on 25.11.2008. Mining Plan has been approved by Ministry of Coal on 0310.2006. Life of the mine is 37 years at 3 MTPA rated capacity. Capital cost of the project is Rs. 435.75 crores.

 

2.         The Ministry of Environment & Forests hereby accords environmental clearance for the above-mentioned Khagra-Joydev Block Opencast Coal Mine Project of M/s DVC Emta Coal Mines Ltd., for production of coal at 3 MTPA annual rated capacity in a total land area of 1215.24 ha under the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 and subsequent amendments thereto and various MOEF Circulars there under subject to the compliance of the terms and conditions mentioned below:

 

A.                 Specific Conditions

 

(i)         No mining operations shall be undertaken in the forestland until clearance has been obtained under the provisions of FC Act, 1980.

 

(ii)        No mining operations shall be undertaken until the area for topsoil dumps, external OB dumps, area for mineral storage, roads, township, and resettlement colony etc. have been acquired and compensation, if any, are paid as per the State Government norms.

 

(iii)       Diversion of River Hingla flowing across the lease involving an area of 5.90 ha shall be carried out in consultation with the State Flood and Irrigation Department.

 

(iv)       No coal washery/beneficiation plant for coal beneficiation shall be established within the project premises until prior clearance has been obtained from MOEF.

 

(v)        A safety barrier of a minimum 60m width covering an area of 29.41 ha shall be maintained between River Ajoy and mine boundary. The embankment along the River Ajoy, River Hingla and River Kana shall be designed taking into account the highest flood level, based on past data, along the quarry area at the mine boundary along the River Ajoy so as to guard against mine inundation. The slope of the embankment shall at least 2:1 towards the ML and shall be stabilised by plantation. The height of the embankment shall be at least 5 m higher than the HFL of the river. Construction of the embankment \s shall be completed within 2 years.

 

(vi)       Topsoil (10 Mm3) shall be stacked properly with proper slope at earmarked topsoil dump of 36.30 ha and shall not be kept active and shall be used within a year of excavation for reclamation and development of green belt and for reclamation.

 

(vii)       River sand of 29 Mm3 extracted after river diversion for coal extraction shall be temporarily stored in an area of 20 ha and used/sold to suitable consumers identified within a year of start of mining operations.

 

(viii)      OB shall be stacked at earmarked external OB dumpsite of 126 ha and shall be a maximum height of 60m only and consist of benches of 20m each. The ultimate slope of the dump shall not exceed 28o. Monitoring and management of existing reclaimed dumpsites 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 Bhubaneshwar on an yearly basis.

 

(ix)       Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed to arrest silt and sediment flows from soil, OB and mineral dumps. The water so collected shall be utilised for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development, etc. The drains shall be regularly desilted and maintained properly.

Garland drains (size, gradient and length) and sump capacity shall be designed keeping 50% safety margin over and above the peak sudden rainfall and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site. Sump capacity shall also provided adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material.

 

(x)        Dimension of the retaining wall at the toe of the dumps and OB benches within the mine to check run-off and siltation shall be based on the rainfall data.

 

(xi)       Water sprinkling system (mist spray type) shall be provided to check fugitive emissions from conveyor system, haulage roads, transfer points, etc.

 

(xii)       Drills shall be wet operated.

 

(xiii)    Controlled blasting shall be practiced only during daytime with use of delay detonators. The mitigative measures for control of ground vibrations and to arrest the fly rocks and boulders shall be implemented.

 

(xiv)      Mineral transportation of coal to the washery located at a distance of 4.5km shall be by closed belt conveyors only, which shall be established within 4 years.

 

(xv)      Area brought under afforestation shall not be less than 339.30 ha which includes reclaimed external OB dump (126.28 ha), backfilled area (160.32 ha), upper benches of decoaled area (213.30 ha) along ML boundary, along roads, green belt (30 ha), rehabilitation colony and in undisturbed areas by planting native species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees be around 2500 plants per ha.

 

(xvi)      A Progressive Mine Closure Plan shall be implemented by reclamation of quarry area of 903.61 ha of which 602.01 ha shall be backfilled and reclaimed with topsoil into agricultural land by planting native plant species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees shall be around 2500 plants per ha. The balance 88.30 ha of decolaed area being converted into a water reservoir shall gently sloped along the upper benches of the decloaed quarry and stabilised and reclaimed with plantation.

 

(xvii)          Mine discharge water of 1200 m3/d shall be treated in a three-stage sedimentation tank along with coagulants, if required and shall meet standards prescribed especially with respect to pH, As, F and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) before discharge into natural water courses/agriculture.

 

(xviii)    No groundwater shall be used for the mining/project activities. Additional water required, if any, shall be met by recycling/reuse of the water from the existing activities and from rainwater harvesting measures. Areas upto 1km distance form the mine be identified for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge to be taken up by the PP and the impacts of such measures to be monitored by establishing peizometers in and around the mine. The cost of construction of gabions, recharge trenches, check dams, etc be firmed up in consultation with the CGWB, and concerned State Departments and included as part of CSR/Project cost. The project authorities shall meet water requirement of nearby village(s) in case the village wells go dry due to dewatering of mine.

 

(xviii)         Regular monitoring of groundwater level and quality shall be carried out by establishing a network of exiting wells and construction of new peizometers. The monitoring for quantity shall be done four times a year in pre-monsoon (May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January) seasons and for quality including As and F during the month of May. Data thus collected shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and to the Central Pollution Control Board/SPCB quarterly within one month of monitoring.

 

(xix)            ETP shall also be provided for workshop, and CHP.  Effluents shall be treated to conform to prescribed standards in case of discharge into any water course outside the lease.

 

(xxi)      An STP shall be provided for the township/colony to treat the domestic effluents to prescribed standards and the treated effluents may be reused in project activities.

(xxii)     R&R of 10 villages ?Devipur (8), Joplai (70), Jhirul (6), Palashdanga (63), Loba (78), Barari (36), Khojkamalapur (85), Kota (177), Birbhadrapur (8), Kamalapur (8) consisting of 539 PAFs (2986 PAPs) shall be not be inferior to that in the National R&R Policy and shall be completed within a specified time-frame. Training shall be given as part of R&R on skill development both or employment within the company and for those who would have their own independent means of livelihood. Plan of implementation of R&R would include an assessment of the socio-economic status of the villages covered under R&R and under CSR, based on the HDR of UNDP on the status of villages - pre-mining and during the course of the implementation of the project and thereafter, to determine the impact of implementation of R&R and measures for improving their socio-economic status. Annuity be considered under R&R for the really poor (BPL families) and for aged and handicapped population from the displaced communities.

 

(xxiii)    A Plan for socio-economic measures for the local communities shall be prepared and implemented. A pre-project survey of the community shall be undertaken using the UNDP Human Development Index which would be monitored and evaluated over the life fo the project at least once every 5 years and for review of progress and impacts of measures. A minimum of Rs. 38.66 crores shall be earmarked to wards capital costs and annual recurring costs of Rs. 3 crores or 2.5% of the net earnings whichever is higher.

 

(xxiv)    Regular monitoring of groundwater level and quality shall be carried out by establishing a network of exiting wells and construction of new peizometers. The monitoring for quantity shall be done four times a year in pre-monsoon (May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January) seasons and for quality in May. Data thus collected shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and tot eh Central Pollution Control Board quarterly within one month of monitoring.

 

(xxv)     For monitoring land use pattern and for post mining land use, a time series of landuse maps, based on satellite imagery (on a scale of 1: 5000) of the core zone and buffer zone, from the start of the project until end of mine life shall be prepared once in 3 years (for any one particular season which is consistent in the time series), and the report submitted to MOEF and its Regional office at Bhubaneshwar.

 

(xxvi)    A Final Mine Closure Plan along with a Plan for Habitat Restoration and with details of Corpus Fund shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests for approval 5 years in advance of final mine closure for approval. The species selected for Habitat Restoration for post-mining land shall include a specific Plan for development of agro-forestry (814.34 ha) and forestry (266.60 ha) using a mix of native species found in the study area before start of project.

 

 

B.         General Conditions

 

(i)                  No change in mining technology and scope of working shall be made without prior approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

 

(ii)                No change in the calendar plan including excavation, quantum of mineral coal and waste be made.

 

(iii)               Four ambient air quality monitoring stations shall be established in the core zone as well as in the buffer zone for SPM, RSPM and NOx monitoring.  Location of the stations shall be decided based on the meteorological data, topographical features and environmentally and ecologically sensitive targets in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board. In addition, monitoring of heavy metals such as Hg, Ni, Pb, Cd, etc, shall be undertaken once every 6 months and records thereof maintained.

 

(iv)               Fugitive dust emissions (SPM and RPM) from all the sources shall be controlled regularly monitored and data recorded properly. Water spraying arrangement on haul roads, wagon loading, dump trucks (loading and unloading) points shall be provided and properly maintained.

 

(v)         Data on ambient air quality (SPM, RPM, SO2 and NOx and heavy metals ? Hg, Ni, Pb, Cd, etc.) shall be regularly submitted to the Ministry including its Regional Office at Bhubaneshwar and to the State Pollution Control Board and to the Central Pollution Control Board once in six months.

 

(vi)       Adequate measures shall be taken for control of noise levels below 85 dBA in the work environment. Workers engaged in blasting and drilling operations, operation of HEMM, etc shall be provided with ear plugs/muffs.

 

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

 

(viii)            Vehicular emissions shall be kept under control and regularly monitored. Vehicles used for transporting the mineral shall be covered with tarpaulins and optimally loaded.

 

(ix)               Environmental laboratory shall be established with adequate number and type of pollution monitoring and analysis equipment in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

 

(x)        Personnel working in dusty areas shall wear protective respiratory devices and they shall also be provided with adequate training and information on safety and health aspects.

            Occupational health surveillance programme of the workers shall be undertaken periodically to observe any contractions due to exposure to dust and to take corrective measures, if needed and records maintained. Also, health impacts on the surrounding population may be assessed at least once in a year ascertain occupational diseases such as respiratory ailments, pulmonary disorders, etc.

 

(xi)       A separate environmental management cell with suitable qualified personnel shall be set up under the control of a Senior Executive, who will report directly to the Head of the company.

 

(xii)      The funds earmarked for environmental protection measures shall be kept in a separate account and shall not be diverted for other purpose. Year-wise expenditure shall be reported to this Ministry and its Regional Office at Bhubaneshwar.

 

(xiii)      The Regional Office of this Ministry located at Bhubaneshwar shall monitor compliance of the stipulated conditions. The Project authorities shall extend full cooperation to the office(s) of the Regional Office by furnishing the requisite data/ information/monitoring reports.

 

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

 

(xv)             State Pollution Control Board shall display a copy of the clearance letter at the Regional  Office, District Industry Centre and Collector?s Office/Tehsildar?s Office for 30 days.

 

(xvi)            The project proponent may study the feasibility of putting flyash/bottom ash in the abandoned mines.

 

(v)                (xvi) The Project authorities shall advertise at least in two local newspapers widely circulated around the project, one of which shall be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned within seven days of the clearance letter informing that the project has been accorded environmental clearance and a copy of the clearance letter is available with the State Pollution control Board and may also be seen at the website of the ministry of Environment & Forests at http://envfor.nic.in. The compliance status shall also be uploaded by the project authorities in their website and regularly updated at least once in six months so as to bring the same in the public domain. The monitoring data on environmental parameters  (air, water, soil and noise) shall also be displayed at the entrance of the project premises and mines office and in corporate office and on the company website and update once in six months.

 

3.          The Ministry or any other competent authority may stipulate any further condition for environmental protection.

 

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

 

5.         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.

 

 

 

(Dr.T.Chandini)

Director

Copy to:

1.       Secretary, Ministry of Coal, New Delhi.

2.       Secretary, Department of Environment & Forests, Government of West Bengal, Secretariat, Kolkatta.

3.       Chief Conservator of Forests, Regional office (EZ), Ministry of Environment & Forests, A-31, Chandrashekarpur, Bhubaneshwar ? 751023.

4.       Chairman, West Bengal State Pollution Control Board, Paribesh Bhawan, 10A, Block LA, Sector-III, Salt Lake City, Kolkatta ? 700098.

5.       Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, CBD-cum-Office Complex, East Arjun Nagar, New Delhi -110032.

6.       Member-Secretary, Central Ground Water Authority, Ministry of Water Resources, Curzon Road Barracks, A-2, W-3 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi.

7.       District Collector, Birbhum, Government of West Bengal.

8.       Monitoring File         10.        Guard File          11.        Record File

 

 

(Dr.T.Chandini)

Director