No. J-11015/03/2009-IA.II(M)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment and Forests

IA Division

Paryavaran Bhawan

CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,

New Delhi-110 003

 

Dated the 30th August, 2010

To

M/s J.K. White Cement Works

P.O. Gotan,

District Nagaur,

Rajasthan

Pin-342 902

E-mail: factory@jk-white.com

 

Subject: Expansion of Dhanappa Limestone (M.L. No. 3/93) Mining Project of M/s J.K. White Cement Works located in Village Dhanappa, Tehsil Merta, District Nagaur, Rajasthan -environmental clearance  regarding.

                Sir,

        This has reference to your letter No. ?Nil? dated 25.10.2009 and subsequent letters dated 20.01.2010, 31.05.2010, 05.06.2010 and 29.06.2010 on the subject mentioned above. The proposal was earlier prescribed Terms of Reference (TORs) by the Ministry of Environment and Forests on 24.03.2009  for undertaking detailed EIA study for the purpose of obtaining environmental clearance. The proposal is for enhancement of production of limestone from 2,50,000tonnes per annum(TPA)(0.25 million TPA) to 0.5million TPA. The project was earlier accorded environmental clearance by the Ministry on 12.07.2007 for 0.25million TPA production of limestone. 

 

2.     The total mine lease area of the project is 400ha, out of which 20ha is an agricultural land and 380ha is grazing land. No forestland is involved. Area proposed for mining is 156.12ha, an area of 3.32ha is kept for infrastructure and roads, 16.08ha for green belt and 224.48ha is others(kept intact). The Jojri Nadi is flowing in the buffer zone of the mine at a distance of 1.25km from the mine lease boundary.

       

3.     No national park/wildlife sanctuary/biosphere reserve/tiger reserve/elephant reserve etc. are reported to be located in the core and buffer zone of the mine and that the area does not report to form corridor for Schedule-I fauna.

 

4.        The mine working will be opencast by semi-mechanized method involving drilling and blasting. The targetted production capacity of the mine is

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5,00,000TPA (0.5million TPA) of limestone and the life of mine is 22years. Approximately 1666TPD of limestone will be transported through the road.    The topography of the area is undulated and hilly at an elevation above mean sea level ranging from 297m-331m. The ultimate working depth of mine will be 285m AMSL. The groundwater table reported to vary between 220m-222m AMSL. The mine working will not intersect the groundwater table. The peak water requirement of the project is estimated as 20m3 per day, which will be obtained from the PHED supply for drinking purpose and mine sump water. It has been reported that there is no population in the core zone, therefore, displacement of population and R&R has not been envisaged.    Approximately 890m3 per month of soil(siliceous) and 27,272m3 per month of over burden (dolomitic limestone) will be generated, which will be backfilled. It is estimated that 2.88million m3 of waste will be generated during the mine life, which will be backfilled. Backfilling has already been started. There will be no dump after the 7th year. Plantation will be raised in an area of 172.2ha at the end of the mine life and there will be no water body left during the post mining stage.

 

5.     The public hearing of the project was held on 03.09.2009 for production of 5,00,000TPA of limestone  over mine lease area of 400ha. The Indian Bureau of Mines had approved the Scheme of Mining  and PMCP of the project on 31.05.2010 for lease area of 400ha. The Assistant Mining Engineer, Gotan, Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Rajasthan, vide letter No. SA.KHA.AA./GOTAN/CC 1/M.L.3/93 dated ?Nil? stated that that the proposed mine lease according to the definition of Aravali Hill Range of Directorate, does not fall in the contour of 100m height and  does not fall in the Aravalli Hills. The capital cost of the project is Rs.25Lakhs. The capital cost for environmental protection measures is Rs.29.5Lakhs and the annual recurring cost towards the environmental protection measures is proposed as Rs.11Lakhs. It has been stated that there is no litigation against the project.

 

6.     The Ministry of Environment and Forests has examined the application in accordance with the EIA Notification, 2006 and hereby accords environmental clearance under the provisions thereof to the above mentioned Limestone           (M. L. No. 3/93) Mining Project of M/s J.K. White Cement Works for an annual production capacity of 5,00,000tonnes (0.5million tonnes) of limestone by the opencast semi-mechanized method involving total mining lease area of 400ha, subject to implementation of the following conditions and environmental safeguards.

A.    Specific conditions

 

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

 

(ii)            Environmental clearance is granted subject to final outcome of Hon?ble Supreme Court of India in Contempt Petition (C) No. 412/2004 in IA No. 833 in Writ Petition (C)No. 202 of 1995, as may be applicable to this project.

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(iii)          The environmental clearance is subject to approval of the State Landuse Department, Government of Rajasthan for diversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural use.

 

(iv)          Necessary prior permission from the Competent Authority as may be applicable for use of grazing land for mining purpose shall be obtained.

 

(v)             The project proponent shall develop fodder plots in the non-mineralised area in lieu of use of grazing land.

 

(vi)          The mining operations shall be restricted to above ground water table and it should not intersect the groundwater table. In case of working below the ground water table, prior approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Central Ground Water Authority shall be obtained, for which a detailed hydro-geological study shall be carried out.

 

(vii)        The project proponent shall ensure that no natural watercourse and/or water resources are obstructed due to any mining operations. Adequate measures shall be taken for protection of the 1st order and 2nd order streams, if any emanating/ passing through the mine lease during the course of mining operation. 

               

(viii)     The top soil 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. 

 

(ix)          The over burden (OB) generated during the mining operation shall be concurrently backfilled. The existing waste dump(s) shall be liquidated by the end of the 7th year and thereafter there shall be no external OB dump. The entire excavated area of 156.12ha shall be backfilled and reclaimed by plantation. Monitoring and management of rehabilitated areas should continue until the vegetation becomes self-sustaining. Compliance status should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and its Regional Office, Lucknow on six monthly basis.

 

(x)             Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed for the working pit, temporary soil, OB and mineral dumps to arrest flow of silt and sediment directly into the agricultural fields, the Jojri Nadi and other water bodies. The water so collected should be utilized for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development etc. The drains should 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 the temporary over burden dumps to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the agricultural fields, the Jojri Nadi and other

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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 allow proper settling of silt material. Sedimentation pits should be constructed at the corners of the garland drains and desilted at regular intervals. 

 

(xi)          Dimension of the retaining wall at the toe of the temporary OB dumps and the OB benches within the mine to check run-off and siltation should be based on the rain fall data.

 

(xii)        Plantation shall be raised in an area of 172.2ha including a 7.5m wide green belt in the safety zone around the mining lease, backfilled and reclaimed area, along the  roads etc. by planting the native species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees should be around 1000 plants per ha. Greenbelt shall be developed all along the mine lease area in a phased manner and shall be completed within first five years.  

 

(xiii)     Effective safeguard measures, such as regular water sprinkling shall be carried out in critical areas prone to air pollution and having high levels of particulate matter such as around crushing and screening plant, loading and unloading point and all transfer points. Extensive water sprinkling shall be carried out on haul roads. It should be ensured that the Ambient Air Quality parameters conform to the norms prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board in this regard.

 

(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.

 

(xv)        The project proponent shall undertake provision of artificial recharge to ground water through rain water harvesting to the tune of 2.5 to 3 ML/year in the area in consultation with the Rajasthan State Ground Water Department.

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(xvi)      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 installing new piezometers during the mining operation. The periodic monitoring [(at least four times in a year- pre-monsoon (April-May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January); once in each season)] shall be carried out in consultation with the State Ground Water Board/Central Ground Water Authority and the data thus collected may be sent regularly to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office Lucknow, the Central Ground Water Authority and the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board. If at any stage, it is observed that the groundwater table is getting depleted due to the mining activity, necessary corrective measures shall be carried out.

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(xvii)   Appropriate mitigative measures shall be taken to prevent pollution of the Jojri Nadi in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

 

(xviii) The project proponent shall obtain necessary prior permission of the competent authorities for drawl of requisite quantity of water (surface water and groundwater, if any) required for the project.

 

(xix)      Suitable rainwater harvesting measures on long term basis shall be planned and implemented in consultation with the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

 

(xx)        The project proponent shall be ensure that the fluoride level in the water to be used for drinking purpose in this area are within prescribed limits by making provision of RO System. 

 

(xxi)      Vehicular emissions shall be kept under control and regularly monitored. Measures shall be taken for maintenance of vehicles used in mining operations and in transportation of mineral. The mineral transportation shall be carried out through the covered trucks only and the vehicles carrying the mineral shall not be overloaded. 

 

(xxii)   The project proponent shall take specific safeguard measures to control RSPM levels in the area. 

 

(xxiii) Blast vibration study shall be carried out.  Based on the same, charge per delay should be so adjusted that there is no adverse impact in the surrounding area due to vibration. 

 

(xxiv) Controlled blasting shall be practiced. The mitigative measures for control of ground vibrations and to arrest fly rocks and boulders should be implemented.

 

(xxv)    Drills shall either be operated with dust extractors or equipped with water injection system.    

 

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

               

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

 

(xxviii)        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.

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(xxix) Digital processing of the entire lease area using remote sensing technique should be done regularly once in three years for monitoring land use pattern and report submitted to MOEF and its Regional Office located at Lucknow.

 

(xxx)    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 health care, crèche etc. The housing may be in the form of temporary structures to be removed after the completion of the project.

                  

(xxxi) The critical parameters such as RSPM (Particulate matter with size less than 10micron i.e., PM10) and NOX  in the ambient air within the impact zone, peak  particle   velocity   at 300m distance or within the nearest habitation, whichever is closer shall be monitored periodically. Further, quality of discharged water shall also be monitored [(TDS, DO, PH and Total Suspended Solids (TSS)]. The monitored data shall be uploaded on the website of the company as well as displayed on a display board at the project site at a suitable location near the main gate of the Company in public domain. The Circular No. J-20012/1/2006-IA.II(M) dated 27.05.2009 issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests, which is available on the website of the Ministry www.envfor.nic.in shall also be referred in this regard for its compliance.

 

(xxxii)           A Final Mine Closure Plan along with details of Corpus Fund should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests 5 years in advance of final mine closure for approval.

 

B.      General conditions

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

 

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

 

(iii)          Conservation measures for protection of flora and fauna in the core & buffer zone should be drawn up in consultation with the local forest and wildlife department and effectively implemented.

 

(iv)          Four ambient air quality-monitoring stations should be established in the core zone as well as in the buffer zone for RSPM (Particulate matter with size less than 10micron i.e., PM10) and NOx monitoring.  Location of the 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.

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(v)             Data on ambient air quality RSPM (Particulate matter with size less than 10micron i.e., PM10) and NOx  should be regularly submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests including its Regional office located at Lucknow and the State Pollution Control Board / Central Pollution Control Board once in six months.   

 

(vi)          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.

 

(vii)        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.

 

(viii)     Industrial waste water (workshop and waste water from the mine) should 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. Oil and grease trap should be installed before discharge of workshop effluents.

 

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

 

(x)             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. 

 

(xi)          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 of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office located at Lucknow.

 

(xii)        The project authorities should inform to the Regional Office located at Lucknow regarding date of financial closures and final approval of the project by the concerned authorities and the date of start of land development work.

 

(xiii)     The Regional Office of this Ministry located at Lucknow 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 / information / monitoring reports.

 

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(xiv)      The project proponent shall submit six monthly reports on the status of compliance of the stipulated environmental clearance conditions including results of monitored data (both in hard copies as well as by e-mail) to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, its Regional Office Lucknow, the respective Zonal Office of Central Pollution Control Board the State Pollution Control Board. The proponent shall upload the status of compliance of the environmental clearance conditions, including results of monitored data on their website and shall update the same periodically. It shall simultaneously be sent to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Lucknow, the respective Zonal Office of Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Board.

 

(xv)        A copy of the clearance letter shall be sent by the proponent to concerned Panchayat, Zila Parisad/ Municipal Corporation, Urban Local Body   and   the   Local    NGO,   if    any,   from   whom   suggestions/ representations, if any, were received while processing the proposal. The clearance letter shall also be put on the website of the Company by the proponent.

 

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

 

(xvii)   The environmental statement for each financial year ending 31st March in Form-V as is mandated to be submitted by the project proponent to the concerned   State   Pollution   Control   Board as   prescribed under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, as amended subsequently, shall also be put on the website of the company along with the status of compliance of environmental clearance conditions and shall also be sent to the Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Lucknow by e-mail. 

 

(xviii) 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 environmental clearance and a  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 at Lucknow.

 

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

 

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

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9.     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 Rajasthan and any other Court of Law relating to the subject matter. 

 

10.    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 Authority Act, 1997.

 

 

(SATISH.C.GARKOTI)

Scientist `E`  

Copy to:

(i)               The Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

           

(ii)            The Department of Mines & Geology, Government of Rajasthan, Secretariat, Jaipur.

             

(iii)          The Secretary, Department of Environment, Government of Rajasthan, Secretariat, Jaipur.

 

(iv)          The Chief Conservator of Forests, Central Region,                             Ministry of Environment and Forests, B-1/72, Sector-A, Aliganj,                    Lucknow-226020.

 

(v)             The Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, Parivesh Bhavan,             CBD-cum-Office complex, East Arjun Nagar, New Delhi-1100032.

 

(vi)          The Member Secretary, Central Ground Water Authority, A-2, W3, Curzon Road Barracks, K.G. Marg, New Delhi-110001.

 

(vii)        The Chairman, Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, 4, Institutional area, Jhalana, Doongri, Jaipur.

 

(viii)     The Controller General, Indian Bureau of Mines, Indira Bhavan,                Civil Lines, Nagpur-440 001.

 

(ix)          The District Collector, Nagaur District, Rajasthan.

 

(x)             EI Division, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhavan,          C. G. O. Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110 003.

 

(xi)          Monitoring File.

 

(xii)        Guard File.

 

(xiii)     Record File.

              (SATISH C. GARKOTI)

Scientist `E`