In Jaduguda the first tailings pond was constructed in the nearby valley around one kilometre away from the tailings treatment plant. After this pond got filled up, two more ponds were constructed. UCIL has implemented a composite scheme for reclamation of water and effluent re-treatment to make the final discharged effluent, environmentally benign. Mine water from all mines is collected, clarified and re-used in ore processing plant. Tailings pond effluent is clarified and a part of this is sent to the plant for re-use.
Rest is retreated, clarified, settled and precipitates are sent to tailings pond.
The clear effluent is monitored and is clean enough to be discharged to the environment. Ore mining and processing, like any other industrial activity would have some impact on the environment. Efforts are made to ensure that the effect on environment is minimum and remains below the specifications provided by national and international expert bodies. To achieve this objective, at Jaduguda, an independent Health Physics Unit regularly monitors the concentration levels and discharges, if any. It ensures that the activity is not polluting the environment.