Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of … Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease) i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 INTRODUCTION SAIL’s iron &

Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 INTRODUCTION

SAIL’s iron & flux mines are spread over the states of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chattisgarh and

Madhya Pradesh. These mines are operated as captive sources of raw materials for its

integrated steel plants. Operations of SAIL’s mines in Jharkhand, Orissa and Madhya

Pradesh are controlled by Raw Materials Division (RMD) of SAIL. The limestone mining

project of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine located in Katni District of Madhya Pradesh State was

started in 1973 as a captive source of limestone for use as flux mainly in the Steel Melting

Shops (SMS) of Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL). In the year 1990, the mine was brought under

RMD, SAIL with a view to supply limestone to other SAIL steel plants. The Kuteshwar

Limestone Mine consists of two mining leases on the two flanks of river Chhoti Mahanadi i.e.

Right Bank Lease and Left Bank Lease. The present combined production capacity of both

the leases under Kuteshwar Limestone Mine is 0.9 Million Tonnes per Annum (MTPA). A

single Environmental Clearance has been granted by MoEF vide letter no.J-11015/34/93-1A-

II (M) dated: 16/06/1995 for both the mine leases (Right Bank Lease & Left Bank Lease).

Project Proposal

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Raw Materials Division (RMD) intends to enhance

production from Right Bank Lease of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine to 2.32 MTPA ROM to

meet the increased demand of limestone from SAIL plants. The proposal also envisages

setting up of Crushing & Screening Plant of 450 TPH capacity in addition to the existing 200

TPH Crushing & Screening Plant. At present, the limestone from this mine is transported by

road up to Khanna Banjari Railway Siding located at 14 km from the mine lease area, for

dispatch the ore to steel plants by rail. To avoid the traffic load for mineral transportation

from mine to Khanna Banjari Railway Siding, it is proposed to extend the existing railway

siding at Khanna Banjari Railway Station up to the Mine lease area and switch over to

mechanized loading of railway wagons.

Right Bank Lease of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine covering an area of 944.89 ha is located in

Marwa, Jararoda and Gairtalai villages in Vijayraghavgarh tehsil, Katni District, Madhya

Pradesh. The mine lease area falls in Survey of India Topo Sheet No.63 D/16 & 64 A/13.

Mining Plan of Right Bank Lease for the 2nd renewal period is approved by IBM vide letter

No. 314(3)/2002-MCCM (CZ)/MP-7 dated 12-06-2003. 3rd Scheme of Mining (SOM) for the

project is approved by IBM vide letter No. 314(3)/2011-MCCM (CZ)/MP-S-10/1164 dated 09-

09-2011 (for period 2011-12 to 2015-16) for producing 2.32 MTPA ROM Limestone.

RMD, SAIL has applied to Ministry of Environment & Forests for Environmental Clearance

(EC) for increase in production. MoEF has issued Terms of Reference for carrying our EIA

studies to obtain EC vide letter No. J-11015/449/2012-IA.II (M), dated 30th April, 2013.

Table 1: Salient Features of the Project

Details of The Area:

Village, Tehsil, District & State

Gairtalai, Marwa & Jhararoda Villages,

Vijayraghavgarh Tehsil, Katni District, Madhya

Pradesh

Mine lease area 944.89 ha

Type of Land Govt. Revenue Land (232.7 ha) & Private land

(712.19 ha) duly compensated


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Topo sheet No 63 D/16 & 64A/13

Latitude & Longitude Latitude : 23°58’25.73” to 24°00’07.56”N

Longitude: 80°49’34.12” to 80°52’01.14”E

Cost of the Project Rs. 226.00 Crore

General Climatic Conditions

Maximum Temperature (Annual) 45.2°C

Minimum Temperature (Annual) 04.0°C

Annual Rainfall (Average) 808.8 mm

Wind Pattern during study period Northwest during Summer Season 2013

Elevation above mean sea level 312 m to 350 m AMSL

Environmental Sensitivity

Archaeological/ Historically Important

Site None within 10 km radius of the ML area

Sanctuaries / National Parks Bandhavgarh National Park: 11.2 km S

Important Religious & Tourist Places None within 10 km radius of the ML area

Environmental Sensitive Places

Chhoti Mahanadi River- Adjacent

Bhadar Nadi -2.8 km E

Jarjara Nallah- 5.4 km N

Gahra Nallah -3.3 km SW

Jararoda nallah - Passing through Lease area

Hardua Reserve Forest - 7.0 km NW

Karreha Reserve Forest - 6.4 km N

Bara Reserve Forest - 5.5 km NE

Open Mixed Jungle - 4.9 km SE

1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Topography & Drainage

The general ground surface level in mine lease area is about 340 m MSL. The elevation

within the mine lease area ranges between 350 m AMSL (dump top) to 312 m AMSL (quarry

bottom). The lease area is having outcrops of limestone boulders. Chhoti Mahanadi flows

along western boundary of the mine lease flowing from west to east direction before joining

the Sone River. Drainage of the study area is mainly controlled by Chhoti Mahanadi River,

Bhadar Nadi (2.8 Km E). Other major streams in the study area are Jarjara Nala (5.4km N),

Gahra Nala (3.3km SW), Jararoda nala (passing through the Mine Lease area). Most of

these streams are seasonal and are dried during summer.

The area is generally flat to moderately undulating and is intersected by some nallahs.

Reserves:

Total limestone reserves in the mine lease area (as on 1.04.2011) are 292.633 Million

tonnes, of which, proved reserves are 95.313 Million tonne, probable reserves are 183.71

Million tonnes and Feasible reserved of type 3 & type 4 are 6.22 Million Tonnes and 7.39

Million tonnes respectively.

Method of Mining:

The mining is being done by open-cast fully mechanized method of mining by deploying

heavy earth moving equipment (HEMM). All operations of mining are being done by

deployment of heavy earth moving machineries for drilling, excavation, loading and

transport. There is no change in the method of mining envisaged. After removal of Over

Burden (OB), the limestone is being mined with 6 m bench height. The width of the bench

varies from 15 to 30 m. After drilling and blasting, the blasted ore is being transported to


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Crushing and Screening Plants for sizing and sorting to 25 - 75 mm as lumps, 10 to 25 mm

as middlings and -10 mm as fines / rejects. The sized product (lump & middlings) is

transported by a PWD road up to 5.5 km and then by State Highway No. 10 to the Khanna

Banjari Railway Siding with tipper trucks (12 /22 T capacity) for further dispatch to steel

plants. Out of the three shifts in a day, the mining is carried out in two shifts and

maintenance is being done in third shift. It is proposed to shift the railway siding to the Right

Bank Mine Lease for transportation of the mineral.

Table 2: Development and Production during Mining Scheme Period (2011-16)

Year

Excavation (cum) ROM (Tonnes)

Total

Excavation ROM IB

Total ROM

Lumps &

middling

(Product)

Fines

( -10 mm )

(Rejects)

2011-12 884,591 734,211 150,380 1835,526 1395,000 440,526

2012-13 1058,973 878,947 180,025 2197,368 1670,000 527,368

2013-14 1089,410 904,211 185,200 2260,526 1718,000 542,526

2014-15 1115,409 925,789 189,620 2314,474 1759,000 555,474

2015-16 1115,409 925,789 189,620 2314,474 1759,000 555,474

5263,792 4368,947 894,845 10922,368 8301,000 2621,368

Maximum Production and Life of Mine

By considering the annual ROM production @ 2.32 MTPA, the life of the mine will be about

41 years. The life of the mine will further increase when probable reserve will get converted

into proved reserve.

Conceptual Mine Closure Plan

After reaching the maximum feasible depth i.e. permissible depth of 60 m, the mined out

area will be backfilled up to 30 m from the surface with the dumping material and the

remaining area will be developed as water reservoir. The infrastructure like mine road, office

etc being of semi-permanent nature will be removed and reclaimed for plantation. The rest of

the area which is non-mineralized and undisturbed will also be utilized for plantation. At

conceptual stage 410.537 ha area will be rehabilitated by plantation and 189.2 ha mined out

area will be developed as surface water reservoirs.

Extent of Mechanization

IR Drills, Jack Hammer drills, Excavators, Dozers, Pay Loaders, Dumpers, crushing &

screening plants, Water Tankers, Explosive Vans, etc are deployed in the mine.

Mine Drainage

Impoundment in the Bansagar reservoir has been inundating the Chhoti Mahanadi river upto

Kuteshwar Limestone Mine area since 2006 and has resulted in increased seepage to the

working limestone quarries of the mines. The mining operations in Jararoda quarry has

stopped in the year 2008, while the work in Gairtalai has been discontinued since early

nineties. Presently, mining operations are being continued for limestone only in the Marwa

quarry under Right Bank Lease by pumping an average of about 14000 m3/day to keep the

ground water level within safe depth for mining in the quarry. The mine pit water is being

pumped into the river across the protection bund through two nos. of pipelines.

A protective ring bund of 5.1 km length encircling the limestone deposits in Right Bank

Lease of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine has been constructed to protect them from submersion

from the Bansagar reservoir or inundation during high floods of the river Chhoti Mahanadi.


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Employment Potential:

Total manpower required after proposed expansion in production for the Kuteshwar

Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease) is 287 persons. Apart from direct employment, there will

be an indirect employment to more than 500 nos. from the project.

Township & Site Services

The Kuteshwar Limestone Mine has well established township with all basic infrastructures

to meet the residential accommodation requirement of its employees. Presently, there are

269 nos. of various types of accommodations exist at the township. In the township, there is

a dispensary, DAV School, Local Market, Shopping Complex, etc. In order to meet the

accommodation requirement of additional employees, about 54 nos. of various types of

quarters along with drainage & sewerage system is under consideration.

Mine Office, Store, Workshop, VT Centre and other facilities like First-Aid Center, Rest

Shelters, Canteen etc. are present at the mine, which will be suitably augmented to cater the

additional needs from the proposed enhancement of production. Some of the site

infrastructure buildings like, RCC framed Pump cum Compressor House, Electrical Room

cum Office Building, Magazine, Administrative Building, etc. will be constructed as per the

statutory requirement.

Water Requirement

Water in the mine is mainly required for dust suppression, workshop, plantation & domestic

purpose. Presently about 335 m3/day of water is used for both industrial & domestic

purposes at the mine. About 165 m3/day is used for dust suppression, vehicle washing and

plantation purpose, which is being supplied from mine pit water. About 170 m3/day is used

for domestic purpose both at Mine Site & Township, which is supplied from Bore Wells.

After, proposed expansion, the total water requirement will be around 600 m3/day. Of this,

300 m3/day water for dust suppression, workshop and plantation will be supplied from mine

pit and 300 m3/day water for drinking and domestic use will be supplied from bore well.

1.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Study Period: Summer season 2013 (March - May, 2013)

Meteorological Data (Summer Season- 2013 )

Parameters Data

Maximum temperature (°C) 45.2 °C

Minimum temperature (°C) 13.6 °C

Maximum Relative Humidity (%) 86%

Minimum Relative Humidity (%) 21%

Predominant wind direction NW

Average Wind Speed (m/s) 1.44

Calm winds frequency (%) 14.09

1.3.1 Ambient Air Quality

Existing Ambient air quality was monitored in summer season 2013 at 10 locations in the

study area including 3 locations in the mine lease area and 7 locations in the buffer zone.

Pre-calibrated R.D. Samplers were used for monitoring the existing ambient air quality

status. The summary of Ambient Air Quality test results are given below.


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Table 3: Summary of Ambient Air Quality results (Maximum values)

Station Code PM10

(µg/m3) PM2.5

(µg/m3) SO2

(µg/m3) NOX

(µg/m3) CO

(mg/m3)

A1, Near Mine Office 84.8 32.1 14.4 20.9 1.5

A2, Near Haulage Road 82.6 36.8 15.0 22.8 1.6

A3, Mine Township 59.8 17.5 9.8 14.5 1.0

A4, Kuteshwar Village 67.6 23.3 10.6 14.0 0.8

A5, Amatara village 67.2 20.5 13.0 15.1 0.8

A6, Gairtalai village 62.3 20.1 13.6 15.0 1.5

A7, Amarpur village 54.2 20.8 13.0 17.8 1.0

A8, Salaiya village 51.3 18.5 12.4 18.2 1.0

A9, Koyalari village 51.2 17.2 11.9 15.2 0.9

A10, Barahi Town 71.2 24.5 14.2 16.4 0.8

A11, Near Left Bank Lease 50.3 19.1 12.2 16.8 1.6

NAAQ Standard 100 60 80 80 2 (8 hour)

1.3.2 Ambient Noise Level

Ambient noise level monitoring was carried out at 10 locations i.e. 3 location in mine lease

area and 7 locations in buffer zone during the study period, to identify the noise scenario in

the area. Summary of noise level data of monitored locations is given below.

Table 4 : Noise Levels During Study Period [Units: Db (A)]

S. No.

Location Day Time Noise Levels Night Time Noise Levels

Min Max Ld Min Max Ln

N-1 Near Mine Office 55.2 68.5 64.0 54.5 59.5 56.3

N-2 Near Haulage road 57.8 69.5 66.1 57.2 59.7 58.5

N-3 Mine Township 41.9 54.7 50.8 40.1 42.8 41.6

N-4 Kuteshwar village 40.2 54.2 50.1 42.2 50.2 43.6

N-5 Amatara village 40.9 53.8 48.9 41.5 48.5 45.7

N-6 Gairtalai village 41.2 52.2 49.0 40.2 47.6 42.6

N-7 Amarpur village 42.3 54.1 50.7 40.9 47.2 42.4

N-8 Salaiya village 41.3 53.2 49.9 40.2 44.2 41.9

N-9 Koyalari village 41.2 54.2 49.3 40.2 46.5 41.6

N-10 Barahi village 46.8 60.6 56.1 41.5 49.1 47.7

N-11 Near Left Bank Lease

41.7 54.5 50.7 40.1 42.9 41.8

Noise Standards

Industrial Area 75 70

Residential & Rural area 55 45

1.3.3 Water Environment

Surface Water: Chhoti Mahanadi river, which is a tributary of Sone river, flows adjoining the

mine lease area from SW to NE bifurcating the two leases namely Right Bank lease and Left

Bank lease. There are no other perennial surface water sources in the mine lease area. The

western part of the mine lease area and the left bank lease of the company remains flooded

during most of the time of the year due to back waters of Bansagar dam, constructed on

Sone river at about 50 km downstream.


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Chhoti Mahanadi river and Bhadar Nadi forms the major drainage of the study area through

a network of second order streams. The drainage pattern of the study area is dendritic.

Other major streams in the study area are Jarjara Nala (5.4km N), Gahra Nala (3.3km SW),

Jararoda nala (Passing through the Mine Lease area). Most of these streams are dried

during summer. Apart from these, there are some ponds in the villages in the study area.

Ground Water : The ground water table in the Kuteshwar Mine Lease area is observed at

12-15 m bgl from the general ground level of 340m AMSL. The mine workings have reached

312 m AMSL and the mine has already intersected the ground water table.

Impoundment in the Bansagar reservoir has been inundating the Chhoti Mahanadi river upto

Kuteshwar Limestone Mine area since 2006 and has resulted in increased seepage to the

working limestone quarries of the mines. The mining operations in Jararoda quarry has

stopped in the year 2008, while the work in Gairtalai has been discontinued since early

nineties. Presently, mining operations are being continued for limestone only in the Marwa

quarry under Right Bank Lease by pumping an average of about 14000 m3/day to keep the

ground water level within safe depth for limestone mining in the quarry. The mine pit water is

being pumped into the river across the protection bund through two nos. of pipelines.

Water Quality

Seven surface water and nine ground water samples were collected and analysed to assess

the water quality of the study area. Summary of the ground water quality results is given

below:

Table 5: Summary of Ground Water Quality in the Study Area

Locations pH TH Fe Cl TDS Ca Mg SO4, NO3, F

Mine lease area 7.28 340 0.12 76 526 98 23 64 4 0.4

Salaiya 7.96 140 0.06 43 266 42 8.5 23 10 0.3

Gairtalai 7.26 265 0.07 36 398 78 17 86 16 0.4

Kuteshwar 7.1 320 0.09 33 604 96 19 107 35 0.6

Barahi 7.41 315 0.18 20 610 98 17 139 41 0.7

Amarpur 8 250 0.09 33 420 72 17 46 1 0.6

Koyalari 7.34 400 0.09 83 636 122 23 86 42 0.7

Jhararoda 7.03 175 0.14 33 296 56 8.5 29 10 0.4

Badera 7.14 235 0.16 53 370 72 13 44 5 0.5

Drinking Water Standards (IS:

10500) Desirable (Permissible)

Limits

6.5 -

8.5

300– (600)

0.3– (1.0)

250 – (1000)

500 – (2000)

75 – (200)

30 – (100)

200 - (400)

50 (-)

1.0– (1.5)

Note: All values are in mg/l except for pH

TH: Total Hardness, Fe: Iron, Cl: Chloride, TDS: Total Dissolved Solids, Ca: Calcium, Mg:

Magnesium, SO4: Sulphates, NO3: Nitrates, F: Fluoride

Table 6: Summary of Surface Water Quality in the Study Area

Locations pH DO TSS TDS Cl F P Na SO4 Fe

Chhoti Mahanadi River Upstream 7.6 6.2 28 196 18 0.3 0.08 15.8 25 0.16

Chhoti Mahanadi River Downstream 7.92 6.3 24 184 23 0.4 0.04 14.93 28 0.14

Barahi Pond 7.33 5.6 28 280 43 0.6 0.07 37.53 40 0.18

Bhadar Nadi down stream 7.65 6.4 22 156 20 0.4 0.02 14.58 <1 0.28

Bhadar Nadi Upstream 7.9 6.3 36 160 23 0.4 0.04 15.98 16 0.16


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Locations pH DO TSS TDS Cl F P Na SO4 Fe

Bhader Nadi confluence with Chhoti Mahanadi 7.88 6.5 24 150 23 0.4 0.05 15.22 11 0.08

Mine Pit Discharge Water 7.8 6.2 22 190 18 0.7 0.08 27.2 16 0.06 Note: All values are in mg/l except for pH

DO: Dissolved oxygen, TSS: Total Suspended Solids, TDS: Total Dissolved Solids, Cl: Chloride,

F: Fluoride, P: Phosphate, Na: Sodium, SO4: Sulphates, Fe: Iron,

1.3.4 Soil Quality

Soil samples were collected from five locations from the core and buffer zone to evaluate the

soil quality in the study area. The soil is having normal to saline pH and low to medium

fertility. The soil in the mine lease area shows poor fertility and needs to be topped with

fertile soil cover before plantation. Also, the soils in agriculture lands in the nearby villages

need to add fertilisers to improve its fertility.

1.3.5 Land Use

Mine Lease Area:

The Right Bank Mine Lease of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine is spread in 944.89 ha are in

Marwa, Gairtalai & Jararoda Villages in Vijayraghavgarh Tehsil of Katni District in Madhya

Pradesh State. The mine lease area includes Govt. Revenue Land (232.7 ha) & Private land

(712.19 ha) duly compensated. The mine is already in operation and the mine lease area

consists of excavated area, OB dumps, roads, Crushing & Screening Plants, Site services,

etc.

Table 7: Present and propose land use pattern of Mine Lease Area (Area in ha)

Sl. No.

Description Existing End Mining scheme period i,e. 2015-16

End of life of mine / / conceptual period

1 Area under Pits 64.5000 91.6466 189.2000

2 Area under roads 14.3500 14.3500 14.3500

3 Area under office /workshop 36.7000 36.7000 36.7000

4 Area under township/ settlement

70.0000 70.0000 70.0000

5 Area under protection bund 5.5900 5.5900 5.5900

6 Area under OB Dump 24.1100 44.9715 Nil

7 Area under reject/ waste dumps

14.1700 67.6133 Nil

8 Area under Crusher 6.3300 8.3300 8.3300

9 Area under Plantation 26.5300 42.0200 365.5070

10 Area under tailing pond Nil (4.9100 ) Nil

11 Undisturbed area 682.61 563.6686 255.213

Total 944.890 944.890 944.890 (Figures in bracket indicate area not to consider for totalling)

Table 8: Land use of the Study area (As per Satellite imagery)

Description Area (ha) Percentage (%)

Agriculture – single crop 16107.43 30.34

Agriculture - Double Crop 8128.88 15.31

Forest 2155.7 4.06

Open Forest 5512.13 10.38

Fallow Land 12757.71 24.03


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Land with/without Scrub 2548.89 4.80

Built up land 809.50 1.52

Water Body 5071.95 9.55

Total 53092.19 100

1.3.6 Biological Environment

Forests: There is no forest in the mine lease area. There are four forests in the study area

viz., Hardua Reserve Forest (7.0 km NW), Karreha Reserve Forest (6.4 km N), Bara

Reserve Forest (5.5 km NE) and Open Mixed Jungle (4.9 km SE). The forest in this area is

broadly categorised as 5B-Clb - Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Dry Teak Forest and 5B-

C2C - Northern Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest (Champion and Seth's Classification,

1964).

Flora: The mine lease area consists of existing mine pits, mine roads, OB dumps, etc. The

mine lease area mainly consists of Govt. waste land. The mine lease area is scantily

vegetated mostly with shrubs like Babool, etc. Apart from this, extensive plantation was

carried out in the earlier phases of mining. Species Planted includes Kaner, Ashoka,

Gulmohar, Peltra Farm, Mango, Custard apple, Tamarind, Mahua, Beehi, Karanj, Jamun,

Neem, Harra, Bahera, Amla, Jungle Jalebi, Babool, Safed siris, sagwan, etc.

Fauna : The common faunal species observed in the study area includes Common Myna

(Acridotheres tristis), Common Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus), House Crow (Corvus

splendens), Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus),

Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolar), Gray or Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus

entellus/Presbytis entellus), House Lizard (Hemidactylus domesticus), Paddy Bird/Pond

Heron (Ardeola grayii) and three stripped Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum). No

Schedule I faunal specie is observed in the study area of the project.

1.3.7 Socio-Economic Environment

The socio-economic status (Based on Census 2011) of the villages within the study area is

given in table below :

Table 9: Socio-Economic details of the study area

Sl. No. Description Total %

1 Total Villages 36

2 Total no. of households 37191

3 Total population 166399

4 Male population 84896 51.02

5 Female population 81503 48.98

6 Scheduled caste 18349 11.02

7 Scheduled tribes 52299 31.43

8 Total literates 92873 55.81

1.4 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

1.4.1 Ambient Air Quality

Anticipated Impacts on Ambient Air Quality

To assess the impacts on ambient air quality due to proposed increase in mining operations

in Right Bank Lease and Left Bank lease of Kuteshwar Limestone Mines, predictions have


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been carried out using ISC-AERMOD Model for study period. The maximum predicted value

of increase in ground level concentrations of particulate matter would be about 14.9 g/m3.

This concentration will be observed within the core zone of mine area where mining

operations are being carried out. The concentrations were observed to reduce below 1

g/m3 outside the mine lease boundary. The impact of increase in scale of mining operation

would be negligible beyond 1.5 km. Marginal emissions of Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Oxides

of Nitrogen (NOx) are anticipated by diesel operated equipments and vehicles plying for

mineral and waste transport.

Air Pollution Control Measures:

Existing:

Wet drilling facility with all the drills to control dust emissions from drilling operations.

Use of Slurry Explosives & NONEL Detonation to reduce the blasting emissions

Regular maintenance of haul roads and sprinkling of water on the haul road with 16

KL Water Sprinkler

Spray nozzles at the Hopper as well as screening and transfer points at Crushing &

Screening Plants

Prohibition of overloading and over-speeding of trucks.

Stabilization of waste dumps with grasses, shrubs and creepers.

Enforcing use of dust masks by workers engaged at dust prone areas.

Developed plantation covering an area of about 186.59 ha and planted 4,37,220

saplings in the lease hold area since 1989.

Additional proposed:

Procurement of drilling machines with wet drilling facility

All the HEMM fleet being procured under the proposed expansion shall be having

state of art facilities including AC operator cabins.

Use of high capacity machinery is under consideration to reduce the emission load.

Dedicated Dry Fog Dust Suppression covering all the dust generating sources at the

proposed 450 TPH C&S Plant at a cost of Rs. 1.05Cr.

Sprinklers at the Stockpile & Loading areas

Two nos. of 28 KL high pressure water sprinklers for water sprinkling on haul roads

and other areas

Stabilization of waste dumps with grasses, shrubs and creepers including use of geo

textiles wherever required.

Development of a 50 m wide shelter belt with thick plantation of tall growing trees

along the inner side of the ring bund constructed around the mine workings.

Development of a 30 m wide shelter belt with thick plantation of tall growing trees

along the village habitation of Gairtalai village located adjacent to the mine lease

boundary on the south eastern part of the mine lease area

Thick plantation along the haulage roads within the mine lease area, around crushing

and screening plants within the mine lease area, around mine pits (outside ultimate

pit limit, around OB dump areas, etc.

1.4.2 Ambient Noise Level

Impact on Ambient Noise Level

From the modelling results, it is observed that the maximum noise levels at the nearest

habitations from ML area i.e. Mine Township located within the mine lease area (located at


x

about 1 km from the ultimate pit limit), will be about 54.73 dB(A). Since early nineties, mine

management has taken plantation in and around the mines with an objective to improve

green cover in the lease hold area as well as improve environmental quality. This has

significantly reduced the noise levels at the township as well as nearby villages.

Control Measure of Noise Pollution

Existing Measures.

Plantation of about 4.37 lakh saplings was carried out covering an area of 186.59 ha,

which is about 20% of leasehold area.

Regular maintenance of mining machinery.

Supply and enforcing use of earmuffs/ear plugs by workers in noise prone zones.

Speed limitation for transportation vehicles.

Proposed Additional Noise Control Measures:

All the HEMM fleet being procured under the proposed expansion shall be having

state of art facilities including sound proof operator cabins.

Provision of good silencers on transportation vehicles

Proper maintenance of haul roads & transport roads

Provision of sound proof enclosures to stationary noise generating equipment,

wherever possible.

Provision of the following noise & vibration control measures at the new 450 TPH

Crushing & Screening Plant :

Sizers shall have independent block foundations isolated from the supporting

structures to control vibration & noise

Screens shall be mounted on helical spring units to isolate vibration transmission

to supporting structure thus eliminating the structure born noise and vibration

Development of 50 m wide shelter belt along the ring bund within the mine lease

area. This plantation will help in arresting dust as well as attenuating noise.

Development of 30 m wide shelter belt with thick plantation along the mine lease

boundary towards Gairtalai village settlement to protect them from dust & noise

generated from mine and also to attenuate the noise due to mining.

Periodic ambient noise level monitoring is carried out in the mine lease area and in

surrounding villages. Additional noise control measures will be adopted, if the

ambient noise levels are observed to be exceeding the permissible limits.

1.4.3 Water Environment

Impact on Water Environment

Entire industrial water requirement at the mine is being met through reuse of mine pit water. However, drinking water requirement for both mine site and township are being supplied form the bore wells. After proposed expansion of the mine, the total water requirement will be increased to 600 m3/day from the existing level of 355 m3/day. The increase in industrial water requirement shall be met from mine pit water and domestic water from the ground water. There is no proposal for drawl of river water for use in mine.

The mineral as well as associated waste rocks do not contain any harmful / toxic substance that may contaminate the ground water. Hence, contamination of ground water will not be expected from both the existing and proposed expansion of the mine.

As there is no beneficiation / washing of limestone at Kuteshwar Limestone Mine, there is no effluent generated from the ore processing activities. However, only properly settled mine pit


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water is being pumped out and discharged to river, which may slightly increase the suspended solids in the river. Surface runoff from the mining and other areas also initially being collected in the mine pits / low laying areas and being pumped to river across protection bund after proper settlement. Hence, no significant impact is envisaged due to the mining activities on the Chhoti Mahanadi River.

Existing Control Measures:

The following measures are adopted to avoid the impacts of the mining activities on the

surface water quality of the area:

Ring bund constructed around the mining area also forms a protection against

siltation of the Chhoti Mahanadi river due to mining activities as all the surface runoff

from the mines is being allowed to settle in the leasehold and clarified water is being

pumped across the Ring Bund to river.

Constructed garland drains around the mine pits, surface dumps, rejects stacking

area, etc to collect the surface run-off from the mine lease area. The garland drains

are connected to mine pits to collect the water for settling.

The seepage water and rainwater accumulated in the mine pits is used for dust

suppression and plantation in the mine lease area. Only excess water is pumped to

the Chhoti Mahanadi river, after ensuring proper settling.

Domestic effluent from the mine’s office and township is discharged in septic tank

followed by soak pits.

Proposed Water Pollution Control Measures

In addition to the above the following additional water pollution control measures have been

identified for implementation during the prosed expansion of the mines:

Construction of retention walls around the OB dumps to arrest the rolled down

boulders and silt wash off from the dumps.

Old OB dumps and inactive dumps slopes are afforested with thick plantation of

grasses, shrubs and creepers to stabilise them.

Construction of vehicle washing platform along with oil & grease traps for treatment

of wastewater generated from the workshop is under construction.

Provision of check dam, gully checks, etc at strategic locations to arrest silt wash off

Provision of rain water harvesting structures for augmentation of ground water levels.

1.4.4 Land Environment

Impact on Land Use

The mine is in operation since 1973 and the mine lease area consists of mine pits, surface

dumps, infrastructure facilities, haulage roads, township, crushing and screening plants, etc.

The mining activities will continue till the exhaustion of mineral in the mine lease. At

conceptual stage, the mine lease area will consists of mined out pits, haulage roads,

plantation, etc. The mining activities have completely changed the original land use pattern

of the mine lease area. Up to the end of mine life, out of the 944.89 ha mine lease area,

about 189.2 ha surface area will be broken up for mining and 134.97 ha area will be

occupied by infrastructure facilities & township for mine employees.

Control Measures for land degradation

At conceptual stage of mining, after reaching the maximum feasible depth i.e. permissible

depth of 60 m, the area will be backfilled up to 30 m from the surface with the dumping

material and the remaining area will be developed as water reservoir.


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A sufficiently thick bund wall will be constructed all around the ultimate pits for safety. The

plantation will be done all around the bunds by leaving 3 m space. The infrastructure like

mine road, office etc being of semi-permanent nature will be removed and reclaimed for

plantation as proposed above. The rest of the area which is non-mineralized and

undisturbed will also be utilized for plantation. Thus, at conceptual stage 410.537 ha area

will be reclaimed and rehabilitated by plantation and 189.2 ha mined out area will be

developed as surface water reservoirs.

Table 10: Post Mining Land Use Pattern of the Mine Lease Area

Type of post mining land use Area (in ha)

Mined out area backfilled up to 30m depth and developed as water reservoir 189.200

Plantation on infrastructure area and other plantations 410.537

Area for public use (Roads and township) 84.350

Area under protection bund and undisturbed area 260.803

Total 944.890

1.4.5 Solid Waste Generation and Management

The top-most fertile soil (average : 0.5 m thick) is being directly transported & used in

plantation areas and as such no separate dump yard for this is required. About 24,036 m3 of

top soil is likely to be generated during the life of mine, which will be entirely used for

plantation purpose.

About 12.25 Million m3 OB will be generated during the life of the mine and utilized for back

filling. During mining scheme period, the OB will be dumped on the present working dump

located south of Marwa quarry (near dumps B & C) of Marwa Block. At the end of this

scheme of mining period, the area covered by the dumps will be 44.9715 ha with a

maximum height of 12 m. The maximum height of the dumps will be limited to 20 m in two

layers of 10 m each. The overall slope of dump will be maintained at less than 37O which is

nearly equal to the angle repose for waste material.

During the Scheme of Mining period (i.e. 2011-12 to 2015-16), the Reject minerals which

form (-)10 mm limestone of about 1,048,547 m3 & IB of about 894,845 m3 will be generated

and stacked near the departmental C & S plant. The feasibility of beneficiating the fines /

rejects will be explored in future for their effective utilization. Use of existing Gairtalai pit for

temporary storage of tailings will be considered. After complete working of Marwa block by

exhausting of usable limestone, tailings can be shifted to this area and Gairtalai block can be

worked out. At the end of the life of the mine, the reject dumps will be fully utilized as graded

limestone.

At conceptual stage, once the mine pits have reached the ultimate pit depth of 60 m bgl,

backfilling will be carried out in the exhausted mine pits. The exhausted mine pits will be

backfilled by overburden stacked in surface dumps. The backfilling will be carried out upto

30 m depth as directed by IBM and the remaining mine pits will be converted into surface

water reservoirs. All the OB dumps will be re-handled for backfilling and there will not be any

surface dump remaining at the conceptual stage. The area covered by surface dumps will be

afforested with plantation of local flora species.


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1.4.6 Biological Environment

Impact on Flora & Fauna

The mine is in operation since 1973. Hence, the proposed increase in production will not

have any significant negative impact on ecology of flora and fauna of the area. There are no

wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks within 10 km radius study area of the mine. The

Bandhavgarh National Park is located about 11.2 km SE of the mine lease area.

The vegetation cover in the proposed area for mining is very thin. The mine management

has carried out extensive plantation in the mine lease area outside the ultimate pit limit.

Thus, there is no danger to the community structure of flora or small animals dependant on

the existing vegetation.

Control Measures for Biological Environment

Collecting the surface run-off water from ML area and from surface dumps in the settling

ponds / mine pit bottom through a network of garland drains.

Provision of retaining walls, check dams and gully plugs at strategic places to arrest the

silt from washing off.

Adoption of rainwater harvesting measures to compensate the ground water loss and

impact on the vegetation.

Existing trees and vegetation from the ML area will be removed only when required.

The plantation, to be carried out along the periphery of the mine, on barrier zone, etc will

arrest the dust generated from the mine and will not allow it to spread it outside the mine

boundary. Thus, the deposition of dust on the crops will be insignificant.

Blasting is carried out only in morning period.

The ultimate reclamation planned leaves a congenial environment for development of

flora & immigration of fauna through afforestation and water reservoir. The plantation and

water reservoir developed within the ML at the end of mine life will attract the faunal

species towards the ML area in the post mining period.

1.4.7 Socio-Economy

Impact on Socio-Economy

The Kuteshwar Limestone Mine is in operation since 1973 and the mine has provided direct

and secondary employment opportunities to a many number of persons in the nearby

villages. Persons are directly employed in the mine, township of the company and through

contractors working for the mine. Also, persons are employed in service sectors required for

the mine. There is no additional land requirement in the mine. The mine lease area consists

of Govt. revenue land and private land (duly compensated).

Socio-Economic Development Measures

In accordance to the MoEF guideline and as a Maharatna company of India, SAIL has

envisaged its policy on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and committed towards

economic as well as social development. The policy also aims improving the quality of life of

the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large.

SAIL serves the neighboring community through hospitals, primary health centers, schools

(inside & outside SAIL townships), sports academies (for hockey, football, athletics &

archery) and has other sports facilities and programmes for all-round development of sports.

The major CSR activities of SAIL can be grouped as Health & hygiene, Human


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empowerment, Income generation & livelihood, Peripheral development, Education, Sports

and cultural activities and others like assistance during natural calamities.

CSR activities of SAIL have played an important role in upliftment of society in surrounding

regions of SAIL’s units. The performance of SAIL in CSR activities can be portrayed by the

various awards/recognitions given by various stakeholders including Government of India,

financial institutions, leading rating agencies and several industry bodies.

Being fully aware of SAIL’s social responsibilities, RMD has taken a giant leap in Corporate

Social Responsibility (CSR) by providing Health and Hygiene Improvement, Education,

Income generation through self reliant economic activities, Sports & Entertainment in and

around the mines.

In line with the CSR Policy of SAIL, Kuteshwar Limestone Mine is also committed for social

development of the region and spent an amount of Rs. 88.18 lac during last five years in the

villages surrounding to the mine lease area as a part of their CSR Programme & peripheral

development activities and earmarked an amount of Rs. 101 lac for the year 2013-14.

Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan

There are some un-authorized habitations (temporary hutments) in the mine lease area,

outside the ultimate pit limits. The unauthorized habitations in the mine lease area are

adopted by the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) Scheme for the

relocation and resettlement. The State Govt. of Madhya Pradesh will provide them housing

and other required facilities as per the NRRP 2007 Policy. SAIL will provide necessary

infrastructure facilities to these rehabilitated areas as a part of their CSR activities.

1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME

Monitoring of ambient air quality, ambient noise levels, surface and ground water quality, soil

quality, plantation and green belt in the mine lease area, etc. is / will be carried out as per

the applicable guidelines and the reports are / will be submitted to the corresponding

regulatory authorities. An Environment Management Cell is formed for implementation of the

monitoring programme and the environmental management plan.

1.6 ADDITIONAL STUDIES

1.6.1 Risk Assessment and Disaster Management Plan

The mining activities are subjected to various risks like inundation, surface fire, explosion,

dust from drilling and other operations, noise, accidents during loading of material, accidents

due to heavy vehicles, etc. A proper risk assessment has been carried out and a suitable

Disaster Management Plan is put in place to avoid any kind of accident / disaster.

1.6.2 Hydro-geological studies

Detailed hydro-geological studies were carried out in and around the Kuteshwar Limestone

Mine (Right Bank Lease) to assess the ground water and surface water conditions, to

identify the impacts from the mining activities on the surface and ground water resources

and to suggest the mitigation measures to improve the hydro-geological status of the area.


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1.7 PROJECT BENEFITS

The people residing in the nearby villages are getting the following benefits from the

Kuteshwar Limestone Mine, which will be further strengthened through the proposed project:

Direct and indirect employment opportunities

Improved medical and education facilities

Improved communication and infrastructure facilities

Medical and recreational facilities to the employees

improved economic status

Kuteshwar Limestone Mine is carrying out various programmes for the social and economic

upliftment of the nearby villages and has earmarked an amount of Rs. 101.12 lac for the

year 2013-14.

Table 11: Proposed Budget for Socio-Economic Welfare Activities (For year 2013-14)

Sr. No.

Particulars Proposed Expenditure (Rs. in Lac)

1 ITI Training to 30 Nos. of youth in 2013-15 session 12.00

2 Provision 3 Nos Computers, UPSs, printers and furniture to peripheral schools

1.25

3 Water supply to Gairtalai village Pond 2.00

4 Water supply to Konia village Pond 20.00

5 Over head tanks, water storage tank and water distribution system at Gairtalai village

15.00

6 Digging of 4 nos of Bore well with hand pumps 2.87

7 Construction of 3 nos of Community Centre in Gairtalai, Konia and Jararora villages

45.00

8 Medical camps 1.00

9 Miscellaneous expenditure 2.00

Total 101.12

1.8 BUDGET FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF EMP

The mine management has proposed a budget for carrying out various activities under

Environmental Management Plan.

Table 12: Budget for Environmental Management (Rs in Lac)

S. No Activity Capital Cost Recurring expenses/Year

1. Environmental Pollution Control 365.0 68.36

2. Environmental Monitoring 25 8.0

3. Occupational Health & Safety - 15.0

4 Plantation/Green belt 15.0 18.0

5 Social welfare activities - 101.0

6 Economic up-liftment measures 25.0 15.0

Total 370 225.36


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1.9 CONCLUSION

The increase in production from Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease) will lead to

the sustainable development of the nearby areas. The enhanced mining and allied activities

will increase direct and secondary employment opportunities for local people. This will lead

to the improvement of economic status of the nearby villages. The increase in production will

also benefit the State & Central Govt. by way of increased excise duty and revenue on

mineral.

During the active mining period, the pollution will be controlled within permissible limits by

way of adopting various pollution control and mitigation measures. In the post mining stage,

the mine lease area will be developed into an afforested area and surface water reservoirs.

This will improve the aesthetics of the area.

A sum of Rs. 370 lac as capital cost and Rs 225.36 lac / annum as recurring budget for

environmental protection has been proposed to achieve the environmental quality as desired

after increasing the production capacity of the Right Bank Lease. Hence, it can be

summarized that the development of the mine will have a positive impact on the socio-

economic environment of the area and will lead to sustainable development of the region.

Documents

Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of … Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease) i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 INTRODUCTION SAIL’s iron &