Lok Sabha Question No. 3040 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-05
Subject: Pollution from Mining Activities
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3040

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.01.2018

## Pollution from Mining Activities

## 3040. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has taken steps to reduce the level of pollution in the cities located near sources of mining activities;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Union Government is likely to chalk out a programme in collaboration with the State Governments in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) to (d) In order to reduce the level of pollution in the cities located near sources of mining activities, the steps taken by the Ministry inter-alia include the notification of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended from time to time,  under  the  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986.  All  the  projects  of  mining  of minerals  require  prior  Environmental  Clearance.  The  Ministry  prescribes  project specific and standard conditions in the Environmental Clearance for compliance by the mine owners. The standard conditions are placed at Annexure.

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## ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  THE  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  3040  DUE  FOR  ANSWER  ON  05.01.2018  REGARDING 'POLLUTION FROM MINING ACTIVITIES' RAISED BY SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

## STANDARD CONDITIONS

- i. A  Final  Mine  Closure  Plan  along  with  details  of  Corpus  Fund  shall  be submitted  to  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  5 years in advance of final mine closure for approval.
- ii. No  change  in  mining  technology  and  scope  of  working  should  be  made without prior approval of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- iii. No change in the calendar plan including excavation, quantum of mineral and waste should be made.
- iv. The project proponent shall obtain necessary prior permission of the competent authorities for drawl of requisite quantity of water (surface water and ground water) for the project.
- v. Mining  shall  be  carried  out  as  per  the  provisions  outlined  in  mining  plan approved  by  Indian  Bureau  of  Mines  (IBM)/State  Mines  and  Geology Department as well as by abiding to the guidelines of Directorate General Mines Safety (DGMS).
- vi. The lands which are not owned by Proponent, mining will be carried out only  after  obtaining  the  consents  from  all  the  concerned  land  owners  as per the provisions of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 and MMDR Act, 1957.
- vii. Digital processing of the entire lease area using remote sensing technique shall be carried out regularly once in three years for monitoring land use pattern  and  report  submitted  to  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and Climate Change its Regional Office.
- viii. The  critical  parameters  as  per  the  Notification  2009  such  as  PM10, PM2.5,  NOX,  and  SOx  etc.  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. J20012/1/2006-IA.II (M) dated 27.05.2009 issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change shall also be referred in this regard for its compliance.

- ix. The  Proponent  shall  install  online  Ambient  Air  Quality  Monitoring System and there should be system for display of digital AAQ data within  03  months  at  least  at  three  locations  as  per  wind  direction. Online provisions of pH and turbidity meters at discharge points of STP and ETP and also at water storage ponds in the mining area may be made. Project Proponent should display the result digitally in front of the main Gate of the mine site.
- x. Effective safeguard measures such as regular water sprinkling shall be carried out in critical areas prone to air pollution and having high levels  of  PM10  and  PM2.5  such  as  haul  road,  loading  and  unloading point  and  transfer  points.  Fugitive  dust  emissions  from  all  the sources  shall  be  controlled  regularly.  It  shall  be  ensured  that  the Ambient Air Quality parameters conform to the norms prescribed by the  Central  Pollution  Control  Board  in  this  regard.  Monitoring  of Ambient Air Quality to be carried out based on the Notification 2009, as amended from time to time by the Central Pollution Control Board.
- xi. 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  constructing  new  piezometers  during  the  mining operation. The project proponent shall ensure that no natural water course and/or water resources shall be obstructed due to any mining operations. The monitoring shall be carried out four times in a year premonsoon (April-May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January) and the data thus collected may be sent regularly to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and its Regional Office, Central Ground Water Authority and Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.
- xii. Regular  monitoring  of  the  flow  rate  of  the  springs  and  perennial nallahs flowing in and around the mine lease shall be carried out and records maintain.  The natural water bodies and or streams which are

flowing in an around the village, should not be disturbed. The Water Table should be nurtured so as not to go down below the pre-mining period. In  case  of  any  water  scarcity in the area, the Project Proponent  has  to  provide  water  to  the  villagers  for  their  use.  A provision  for  regular  monitoring  of  water  table  in  open  dug  wall located in village should be incorporated to ascertain the impact of mining over ground water table.

- xiii. Regular  monitoring  of  water  quality  upstream  and  downstream  of water bodies shall be carried out  and  record  of  monitoring  data should be maintained and submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and its Regional Office, Central Ground Water  Authority,  Regional  Director,  Central  Ground  Water  Board, State Pollution Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board.
- xiv. Transportation  of  the  minerals  by  road  passing  through  the  village shall  not  be  allowed.  A  'bypass'  road  should  be  constructed  (say, leaving a gap of at least 200 meters) for the purpose of transportation of the minerals so that the impact of sound, dust and accidents could be mitigated. The project proponent shall bear the cost towards the widening and strengthening of existing public road network in case the same is proposed to be used for the Project. No road movement should be allowed on existing village road network without appropriately increasing the carrying capacity of such roads.
- xv. The illumination and sound at night at project sites disturb the villages in respect  of  both  human  and  animal  population.  Consequent  sleeping disorders and stress may affect the health in the villages located close to mining operations. Habitations have a right for darkness and minimal noise levels at night. PPs must ensure that the biological clock of the villages is not  disturbed; by  orienting  the  floodlights/  masks  away  from the  villagers and  keeping  the  noise  levels  well  within  the  prescribed  limits  for  day light/night hours.
- xvi. Main  haulage  road  in  the  mine  should  be  provided  with  permanent water  sprinklers  and  other  roads  should  be  regularly  wetted  with water  tankers  fitted  with  sprinklers.  Crusher  and  material  transfer points  should  invariably  be  provided  with  Bag  filters  and  or  dry fogging system. Belt-conveyors should be fully covered to avoid air borne dust.
- xvii. Main haulage road in the mine should be provided with permanent water sprinklers and other roads should be regularly wetted  with water tankers fitted  with  sprinklers.  The  material  transfer  points  should  invariably  be provided  with  Bag  filters  and  or  dry  fogging  system.  In  case  of  Beltconveyors facilities the system should be fully covered to avoid air borne dust;  Use  of  effective  sprinkler  system  to  suppress  fugitive  dust  on  haul roads and other transport roads shall be ensured.
- xviii. Sufficient  number  of  Gullies  to  be  provided  for  better  management  of water.  Regular Monitoring  of  pH  shall  be  included  in  the  monitoring  plan and report shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and its Regional Office on six monthly basis.
- xix. There shall be planning, developing and implementing facility of rainwater harvesting measures on long term basis and implementation of conservation measures to augment ground water resources in the area in consultation with Central Ground Water Board.
- xx. The Project Proponent has to take care of gullies formed on slopes. Dump mass should be consolidated with proper filling/leveling  with  the  help  of dozer/compactors.
- xxi. The  reclamation  at  waste  dump  sites  shall  be  ecologically  sustainable. Scientific  reclamation  shall  be  followed.  The  local  species  may  be encouraged  and  species  are  so  chosen  that  the  slope,  bottom  of  the dumps  and  top  of  the  dumps  are  able  to  sustain  these  species.   The aspect  of  the  dump  is  also  a  factor  which  regulates  some  climatic parameters and allows only species adopted to that micro climate.
- xxii. The top soil, if any, 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.  The over burden (OB) generated during the  mining  operations  shall  be  stacked  at  earmarked  dump  site(s)  only and it should not be kept active for a long period of time. The maximum height  of  the  dumps  shall  not  exceed  8m  and  width  20  m  and  overall slope of the dumps shall be maintained to 45 0 . The OB dumps should be scientifically vegetated with suitable native species to prevent erosion and surface run off.  In critical areas, use of geo textiles shall be undertaken for stabilization of the dump. The entire excavated area shall be backfilled and afforested. Monitoring and management of rehabilitated areas should continue until the vegetation becomes self-sustaining. Compliance status shall  be  submitted  to  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate

Change and its Regional Office on six monthly basis. xxiii. Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed around  the  mine  working,  mineral  and  OB  dumps  to  prevent  run  off  of water and flow of sediments directly into the river and other water bodies. The  water  so  collected  should  be  utilized  for  watering  the  mine  area, roads, green belt development etc. The drains shall be regularly desilted particularly  after  monsoon  and  maintained  properly.  The  drains,  settling tanks and check dams of appropriate size, gradient and length shall be constructed both around the mine pit and over burden dumps to prevent run  off  of  water  and  flow  of  sediments  directly  into  the  river  and  other 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  shall  be  constructed  at  the corners of the garland drains and desilted at regular intervals. xxiv. Plantation  shall  be  raised  in  a  7.5  m  wide  green  belt  in  the  safety zone around the mining lease, backfilled and reclaimed area, around water  body,  along  the  roads  etc.  by  planting  the  native  species  in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department and as per CPCB Guidelines. The density of the  trees should be around 2500 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. xxv. Project  Proponent  shall  follow  the  mitigation  measures  provided  in Office Memorandum No. Z-11013/57/2014-IA.II (M), dated 29th October,  2014,  titled  'Impact  of  mining  activities  on  HabitationsIssues related to the mining  Projects  wherein  Habitations  and villages are the part of mine lease areas or Habitations and villages are surrounded by the mine lease area'. xxvi. The  Project  Proponent  shall  make  necessary  alternative  arrangements, where  required,  in  consultation  with  the  State  Government  to  provide alternate areas  for  livestock  grazing, if any.  In this  context,  Project Proponent should implement the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court with  regard  to  acquiring  grazing  land.  The  sparse  trees  on  such  grazing ground, which provide mid-day shelter from the scorching sun, should be scrupulously guarded against felling and plantation of such trees should be promoted.

| xxvii.   | The project proponent shall take all precautionary measures during mining operation for conservation and protection of endangered fauna, if any, spotted in the study area. Action plan for conservation of flora and fauna shall be prepared and implemented in consultation with the State Forest and Wildlife Department. A copy of action plan shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and its Regional Office.   |
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| xxviii.  | At least 2.5% of the total cost of the project shall be earmarked towards the Enterprise Social Commitment (ESC) based on local needs and action plan with financial and physical breakup/details shall be prepared and submitted to the Ministry's Regional Office. Implementation of such program shall be ensured accordingly in a time bound manner.                                                                                                   |
| xxix.    | 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.                                                                                                      |
| xxx.     | 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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| xxxi.    | 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 19 th May, 1993 and 31 st December, 1993 or as amended from time to time. Oil and grease trap should be installed before discharge of workshop effluents.                                                                                                                       |
| xxxii.   | 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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| xxxiii.  | 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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| xxxiv.   | 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 and its Regional Office.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |

| xxxv.   | The project authorities should inform to the Regional Office regarding date of financial closures and final approval of the project by the concerned authorities and the date of start of land development work.                                                                         |
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| xxxvi.  | The project proponent shall submit six monthly reports on the status of the implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, its Regional Office, Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board. |
| xxxvii. | The Regional Office of this Ministry 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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