Lok Sabha Question No. 221 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Impact of Mining on Environment
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Maddila  Gurumoorthy, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Reddeppa Nallakonda Gari, Sanjeev Kumar Singari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 221

ANSWERED ON 02.02.2022

## IMPACT OF MINING ON ENVIRONMENT

221. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

SHRI N. REDDEPPA:

DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  research  to  map  the  environmental impact and carbon footprint of mining of major minerals in the mineral rich States of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government has taken any steps to reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint associated with mining; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a)  to  (d):  Before  execution  of  mining  lease  under  the  provisions  of  the  Mines  and Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  Act,  1957,  every  mine  is  required  to  obtain statutory clearances from various departments of the Central  Government  and respective State Governments, including Environmental Clearance and Forest Clearance.  Environmental  Clearance  is  issued  based  on  the  Environment  Impact Assessment of the mine.

To  reduce  the  environmental  impact  and  carbon  footprint  associated  with  mining, Chapter  V  of  the  Mineral  Conservation  and  Development  Rules  (MCDR)  2017, prescribes  rules  for  sustainable  mining;  removal  and  utilisation  of  top  soil;  storage  of overburden,  waste  rock  etc.;  precaution  against  ground  vibrations;  control  of  surface subsidence; precaution against air pollution; discharge of toxic liquid; precaution against noise; permissible limits and standards; and, restoration of flora.

Ministry  of  Mines  through  Indian  Bureau  of  Mines  has  instituted  the  system  of  Star Rating  for  evaluation  of  sustainability  footprints  while  conducting  prospecting,  mining, beneficiation  or  metallurgical  operations  in  an  area.  Under  Rule  35  of  MCDR  2017, every  lessee  is  mandated  to  obtain  at  least  three  star  rating  within  four  years  from 28.02.2017 or date of commencement of mining operations and thereafter maintain the same on year on year basis.

Further,  Rule  22 to 25  of  MCDR 2017 deal with the Mine Closure Plan, Reclamation and Rehabilitation activities. As per Rule 26 of MCDR 2017, every holder of a mining lease has the responsibility to ensure that the protective measures, including reclamation  and  rehabilitation  works,  have  been  carried  out  in  accordance  with  the approved mine closure plan or with such modifications as approved by the competent authority.

Mining leases/sites are encouraged to generate and use green energy. In this regard Indian  Bureau  of  Mines  has  taken  up  a  sample  survey  of  293  mines  to  map  the installation  of  renewable  energy  plants  and  electricity  consumption  at  the  mine  sites across the country. It was noted in the survey that total installed renewable energy plant capacity at these mine sites is approx. 583 Megawatts (Wind and Solar).

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