No. J-11015/455/2007-IA.II (M)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhavan,

C.G.O. Complex, Lodi Road,

New Delhi-110 003.

 

Dated the 11th May, 2011

To            

M/s Hindustan Zinc Limited

Rajpura Dariba Complex,

P.O.Dariba,

District Rajsamand-313 211,

Rajasthan

E-mail: kabir.ghosh@vedanta.co.in

 

Subject:  Bamania Kalan Lead and Zinc Ore Mining Project(M.L.No. 39/83) of M/s Hindustan Zinc Limited located in Village Sindesar Kalan, Tehsil Relmagra, District Rajsamand, Rajasthan -environmental clearance  regarding.

Sir,

        This has reference to your letter No. VP(RDM)-84(iii)/201-11 dated 05.10.2010 and subsequent letter dated 25.12.2010 on the subject mentioned above.  The project was earlier prescribed Terms of Reference (TORs) by the Ministry of Environment and Forests on 14.09.2007 for undertaking detailed EIA study for the purpose of obtaining environmental clearance suggesting to get the unified mining lease with a unified mining plan for the purpose of environmental clearance. As the amalgamation of lease has since not happened, the proposal was considered leasewise. The proposal is for renewal of mining lease which fell due on 29.10.2005 and opening of a new mine for production of 0.12million tonnes per annum(million TPA)TPA  of lead and zinc ore. 

 

2.     The total mine lease area of the project is 383.78ha, out of which 328.07ha is an agricultural land, 24.29ha is grazing land and 31.42ha is others (Bilanam Government Land). No forestland involved. It has been stated that surface rights will be required only for 4.5ha within the mine lease, out of which, an area of 1.5ha is kept for service shaft and associated structures, 0.75ha for industrial buildings and roads, 0.5ha for waste dump and 1.5ha is for green belt. The Banas River passes through the mine lease area. It has been reported that there are no faults / major fractures connecting river with mineralized zone and no percolation of river water is expected in the mine.

 

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.

..2/-

 

-2-

4.     The mine working will be underground mechanized using sub level top slicing method. The targetted production capacity of the mine is 0.12million TPA and the life of mine is 15years. The ore from this mine will be treated in the existing beneficiation plant of Sindesar Khurd Mine. The ore transportation will be done through underground tunnel. The topography of the area is flat and reported to lies between 25001?52? to 25003?14? N Latitude and 74008?35? to 74011?04? E Longitude in Survey of India topo sheet No. 45K/4, at an elevation  of 486m AMSL. The underground mining will be carried out at the depth of 130m from the land surface. The ground water table reported to ranges between 5-10m below the land surface during post-monsoon season and 10-15m below the land surface during pre-monsoon season. The mine working will intersect the ground water table. Based on the hydro-geological study, it has been reported that the radius of influence of pumped out water will be 50m.  Further, the stage of groundwater development is reported to be 85% and 80% in core and buffer zone respectively and thereby these are designated as critically exploited areas. The pumped out water will be used to meet the water requirement of the mine, which is estimated as 60m3 per day.  The difference of the requirement will be obtained from the Matri Kunda Dam. It has been reported that there are 1599 people in the core zone of the mine; however, no displacement of population and R&R has been envisaged. It has been reported that a total of 30,000m3 of waste rock will be generated due to mine development work during the mine life, out of which majority will be used in void filling in underground and 20% will be dumped in the earmarked dump yard. It has been envisaged that green belt will be developed in an area of 1.5ha. 

 

5.     The public hearing of the project was held combinedly for both the mine leases i.e. ML No.39/83 and ML No.10/89 on 05.08.2010 for proposed combined production of 1000TPD from both the leases. The Indian Bureau of Mines had approved mining plan of the project on 27.04.2007 for lease area of 383.78ha.        The Mining Engineer, Rajasmand, Government of Rajasthan vide letter No. KHA.AA./ RAJ.II/CC-MAJOR/ML39/83/NAVINI/68/04/1347 dated 07.05.2008 stated that the said mine lease in accordance to the definition as provided in the letter of the Directorate dated 09.01.2006 does not fall in Aravalli Hills. The capital cost of the project is Rs.23.24Crores. The capital cost for environmental protection measures is proposed as Rs.22.5Lakhs and the annual recurring cost towards the environmental protection measures is proposed as Rs.4Lakhs. It was reported that there is no court case pending against the project, however it was clarified that there is a matter pending in the Tribunal for final decision regarding execution of lease which is linked to grant of environmental clearance.

 

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 Bamania Kalan Lead and Zinc Ore Mining Project(M.L.No. 39/83) of M/s Hindustan Zinc

..3/-

-3-

Limited, for an annual production capacity of 0.12million tonnes of lead and zinc ore involving total mining lease area of 383.78ha, subject to implementation of the following conditions and environmental safeguards.

A.    Specific Conditions

 

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

 

(ii)                Environmental clearance is granted subject to final outcome of the Hon?ble Tribunal in the matter.

 

(iii)               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.

 

(iv)              The environmental clearance is subject to approval of the State Landuse Department, Government of Rajasthan for diversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural use, as may be applicable to this project.

 

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

 

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

 

(vii)             The project proponent shall ensure that no natural watercourse and/or water resources shall be obstructed due to any mining operations.

 

(viii)           It shall be also ensured that there is no flooding of the mine due to the Banas river passing through the mine lease.  Necessary safeguard measures in this regard shall be taken right from the initial stages and a disaster management plan addressing this issue shall be put in place.

 

(ix)              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.

 

(x)                The over burden generated during the mining operation shall be stacked at earmarked dump site only and it should not be kept active for a long period of time and its phase-wise stabilization shall be carried out. The over burden dump shall be scientifically vegetated with suitable native species to prevent erosion and surface run off. 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 Lucknow on six monthly basis.

..4/-

-4-

(xi)              Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size should be constructed to arrest silt and sediment flows from over burden dump. 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 monsoon and maintained properly.                                          

        Garland drain (size, gradient and length) shall be constructed around over burden dump 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. 

 

(xii)             Dimension of the retaining wall at the toe of dump should be based on the rain fall data.

 

(xiii)           Regular monitoring of subsidence movement on the surface over working area and impact on water bodies/vegetation/ structures/ surrounding shall be continued till movement ceases completely. In case of observation of any high rate of subsidence movement, appropriate measures shall be taken to avoid loss of life and material. Cracks shall be effectively plugged with ballast and clayey soil/suitable material.

(xiv)           Necessary safeguard measures shall be taken to guard against any mine subsidence. 

 

(xv)            All the mine entries shall be above the highest flood level to avoid any anticipated flooding of mine from the surface water during the rainy season.

 

(xvi)           In areas where subsidence is anticipated in shallow mineral  occurrence, such areas be identified and provided with garland drains to ensure draining of water and avoid ingress of the same in to the underground mine.

 

(xvii)         The project authorities shall check the possibility of existence of fault(s) before deciding about the thickness of safe barrier required to be maintained between the working face and the water bodies, if any, in consultation with the Director General Mines & Safety (DGMS). De-pillaring should also be carried out after taking prior approval of the DGMS.

 

(xviii)        The project proponent shall carry out conditioning of the ore with water to mitigate fugitive dust emission, without affecting flow of ore in the ore processing and handling areas.

..5/-

 

-5-

(xix)           Green belt shall be developed in an area of 1.5ha all along the mine lease area in a phased manner and shall be completed within first five years. In addition, plantation shall be raised over the OB dump, along the roads etc. in consultation with the local DFO / Agriculture Department.

 

(xx)            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 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.

 

(xxi)           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.

 

(xxii)         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 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. It shall be ensured that the groundwater table is not depleted; rather efforts should be made to improve the water table in the area.

 

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

 

(xxiv)       Necessary prior clearance from Central Ground Water Authority shall be obtained for pumping of groundwater. 

 

(xxv)         The project proponent shall obtain necessary prior permission of the competent authority for drawl of requisite quantity of surface water from the Matri Kunda Dam.

 

(xxvi)       The proponent shall make necessary arrangements as envisaged for installation of RO plant through a joint venture for supplying drinking

 

..6/-

 

-6-

water to the nearby areas as well as to the mine workers.  It shall be ensured that high fluoride groundwater is not used for drinking at any stage. 

 

(xxvii)      Vehicular emissions should be kept under control and regularly onitored. Measures shall be taken for maintenance of vehicles used in mining operations and in transportation of mineral. The vehicles should be covered with a tarpaulin and shall not be overloaded.  

 

(xxviii)    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 Ministry of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office, Lucknow.

 

(xxix)       The project authorities should undertake sample survey to generate data on pre-project community health status within a radius of 1 km from proposed mine.

 

(xxx)         The safeguard measures to avoid occupational health impact due to lead dust and lead poisoning shall be taken.

 

(xxxi)       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.

 

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

 

(xxxiii)    Quality of mine discharge shall be monitored and necessary treatment as may be required shall be given to the mine water before discharge so as to conform the prescribed standards.

 

(xxxiv)    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.

 

(xxxv)     The critical parameters such as RSPM (Particulate matter with size less than 10µm i.e., PM10 and with size less than 2.5µm i.e., PM2.5), 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

..7/-

-7-

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.

 

(xxxvi)    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 lead and zinc ore 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.

 

(v)                Data on ambient air quality RSPM (Particulate matter with size less than 10micron i.e., PM10) & 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

..8/-

-8-

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.

 

(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

..9/-

-9-

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 of the District or State in which the project is located and 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.

 

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. 

 

 

(SATISH.C.GARKOTI)

Scientist `F`

Copy to:

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

..10/-

-10-

(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 Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Rajasthan, Van Bhawan, Vanki Path, Jaipur-302 005, Rajasthan.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(x)                The District Collector, Rajsamand District, Rajasthan.

 

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

 

(xii)             Monitoring File.

 

(xiii)           Guard File.

 

(xiv)           Record File.

                    (SATISH.C.GARKOTI)

Scientist `F`