Sccl, Gdk Mines, Karimnagar Dist., Exe Sum Eng

7/24/2019 Sccl, Gdk Mines, Karimnagar Dist., Exe Sum Eng

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF DRAFT EIA / EMP

FOR THE

ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEARING OF THE PROPOSED

CLUSTER OF GDK 1&3, 2&2A AND GDK 5 INCLINES

UNDERGROUND COAL MINING PROJECTS

NEAR JANGAON, SUNDILLA, MUSTYALA AND JALLARAM VILLAGES

RAMAGUNDAM & KAMANPUR MANDALS,

KARIMNAGAR DISTRICT, A.P.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT

(ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED AND QCI / NABET ACCREDITATED ORGANIZATION)

THE SINGARENI COLLIERIES COMPANY LIMITED(A Government Company)

KOTHAGUDEM - 507 101 (A.P.)

JULY 2013


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CONTENTS

1. Introduction--- 1

2. Description of Project --- 1

3. Description of the environment--- 5

4. Alternatives 10

5. Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures 11

6. Environment Management Planmental 14

7. Environmental Monitoring Programme 14

8. Additional Studies 15

9. Project Benefits 15

10. Fund Provision for Environment Protection & Management 15

11. Mine Closure Plan 15

12. Conclusion 15


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Executive Summary of Draft EIA / EMP of the proposed GDK 1&3, 2&2A and GDK 5 Inclines

The Singareni Collieries Company Limited1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF DRAFT EIA / EMP OF THE

PROPOSED EXPANSION OF GDK 1&3, 2&2A AND GDK 5

INCLINES

1 INTRODUCTION

Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is the only coal producing company in

southern India and is jointly owned by Government of India and Government of Andhra

Pradesh. More than 80% of companys coal production is being supplied to thermal

power plants and balance coal is supplied to cement and other coal-based industries.

In order to meet the production targets fixed by Ministry of Coal (MoC) for XII five year

plan basing on increasing demand for coal from coal based industries and to compensate

the production lost due to the closed mines, SCCL has formulated certain initiatives forincreasing / maintaining the coal production.

- Reconstruction of existing mines for optimum production by intermediate and high

technology.

- Enhancing the production capacity of existing mines by improving the utilization of

equipment.

- Opening of new mines in the adjoining / superjacent areas or seams for higher

production.- Adopting opencast methodology wherever possible for high rate of production. Thin

seams which are not extracted by underground methods can be extracted with

opencast method and it also yields high percentage of extraction.

- Conversion of shallow underground workings to opencast method for extraction of

balance coal reserves.

- Extension of the existing opencast workings to further dip side up to optimum level.

The present proposal is to enhance the coal production in the existing three under groundmines namely GDK 1&3, 2&2A and GDK 5 Inclines from 1.154 MTPA to 1.734 MTPA in a

mine take area of 1356.85 Ha. up to the maximum depth of 600 m. The balance

extractable coal reserves in the proposed three underground coal mines are 54.16 MT.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

2.1. Location of the project

The mine take area of these three mines (GDK 1&3, GDK 2&2A and GDK 5 Inclines)

forms the northern part of Ramagundam Coal Belt falling in South Godavari Mining Block

located in Ramagundam and Kamanpur Revenue mandals of Karimnagar district in

Andhra Pradesh. The area is covered in Survey of India Topo Sheet No. 56 N/9 & N/10.


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The longitude and latitude details are as given below. Location plan of the projects is

enclosed as Annexure.

Longitude / Latitude GDK 1&3 Incline GDK 2&2A Incline GDK 5 Incline

North Latitudes 18

0

4524-18

0

4653 18

0

4442-18

0

4542 18

0

4338-18

0

4519East Longitudes 7903025 - 7903229 7903115-7903238 7903119-7903314

2.2. Nature of the Project

The proposed expansion of Cluster of mines are aimed at extracting coal from

underground through inclined tunnels without causing disturbance to the surface features

lying over the property by adopting hydraulic sand stowing method by introducing

intermediate technology with Side Discharge Loaders (SDLs) / Load Haul Dumpers

(SDLs) in place of manual loading system in a phased manner

2.3. Size of the Project

The proposed Cluster of GDK 1&3, GDK 2&2A and GDK 5 Incline project is planned for

enhancement of production capacity of 1.154 MTPA to 1.734 MTPA and increasing the

lease hold area from 1272.44 Ha to 1356.85 Ha. and the project is categorized as A as

per the provisions 1(a) of schedule of the EIA Notification, 2006 vide SO 1533 dated

14.9.2006 and subsequent amendments vide SO 3067, dated 1.12.2009. The ToR was

obtained for these Cluster of mines vide MoEF. Lr. No. J-11015/216/2012-IA.II(M) dated

14thDecember 2012. The salient features of the Cluster of mines are as given below.


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Executive Summary of Draft EIA / EMP of the proposed GDK 1&3, 2&2A and GDK 5

The3

Sl. No Item GDK 1&3 Incline GDK 2&2A Incline

1. Name of the mine : GDK 1&3 Incline GDK 2&2A Incline

2. Proposed Place : Jangaon Sundilla, Jangaon

3. Name of the Organization : S.C.Co. Limited S.C.Co. Limited

4. Present Mining Method : Underground Mining Underground Mining

5. New / Expansion project : Expansion Project Expansion Project 6. Present Production Capacity : 0.344 MTPA 0.450 MTPA

7. Proposed Production Capacity : 0.486 MTPA 0.648 MTPA

8. Present Mine take area : 457.25 Ha 282.76 Ha

9. Proposed Mine take Area : 541.66 Ha 282.76 Ha

10. Category as per EIA Notification : A A

11. Land Requirement :

Forest Land : Nil Nil

Non Forest Land : 541.66 Ha 282.76 Ha

12. Land Acquisition Details :

Non Forest Land Acquired by SCCL : 541.66 Ha 282.76 Ha

Land to be acquired : Nil Nil 13. Geological Reserves of the block : 386.42 MT

14. Geological reserves considered for UG mining : 317.87 MT

15. Extractable Reserves by UG mining : 108.08 MT

16. Reserves already extracted : 53.90 MT

17. Balance Extractable Reserves : 23.61 MT 11.34 MT

18. Borehole density : 12.4 BH/Sq. Km 12.4 BH/Sq. Km

19. Workable Seams : I, II, III & IV I, II, III & IV

20. Gradient of seams : 1 in 4 1 in 3 to 1 in 4

21. Quality of Coal : G2 & G9 G7 & G9

22. Main Consumers : Basket Linkage Basket Linkage

23. Mode of Transport outside ML : Road and Rail Road and Rail 24. Manpower : 1554 1930

25. Life of the life : 65 Years 21 Years

26. Capital Cost : Rs. 175.00 Lakhs Rs. 41.00 Lakhs

27. Involvement of R&R : Nil Nil


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2.4. Land use of the acquired land:

The total mine take area of the proposed mines is 1356.85 Ha. No Forest land is involved

in these Cluster mines. The total land acquired in these Cluster mines is 843.39 Ha., for

establishing the required surface infrastructure.

Land use of acquired land for various activities of the projects (Figures in Ha.)

Sl.No.

Land Use details of AcquiredLand

GDK

1 & 3 Incs.

GDK

2 & 2A Incs.

GDK

5 Inc.Total

1. Pit head infrastructure 4.32 4.87 6.05 15.24

2. Workshop, MVTC, Stores, CHP, etc. 5.60 6.27 0.67 12.54

3. Approach Roads 12.24 5.88 18.34 36.46

4. Township/ colony 6.00 0.00 0.00 6

5. Sand Stock Yard and stowing bunker 22.60 20.50 47.43 90.53

6. Existing Plantation 62.71 107.45 128.60 298.767. Plantation proposed 27.20 14.75 205.12 247.07

8. Any other (pl.specify) 0

Area vacant in patches 44.23 42.24 34.68 121.15

Grave yard (s) 2.00 -- 3.00 5

Sammakka jathara yard /idga yard 8.64 -- 2.00 10.64

Land use SCCL Acquired Land 195.54 201.96 445.89 843.39

2.5. Description of underground mining

The following activities are involved in the extraction of coal in the proposed underground

mine.

- Bord and Pillar method with semi-mechanization is proposed to be adopted in place

existing hand section mining.

- Inclines have already been driven from surface up to the coal seams, galleries are

driven at regular intervals from level galleries and inter connection will be made to form

pillars

- Drilling and blasting is being done as per DGMS guidelines and panels are being

extracted using Side Discharge Loaders (SDLs) / LHDs- Coal produced is being loaded in to the tubs and hauled to mine surface by using set

of haulers including direct hauler installed at surface

- The coal reaching the surface is being transported to centralized CHP for discharge to

consumers through road / rail transport.

After the completion of development, depillaring operations will be done in seams one

after the other in descending order. All the mining operations is being carried out as per

the statutory provisions of Mines Act for the safety, health and welfare of the employees

working in the mine. Conditions as stipulated by Ministry of Environment and Forests


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(MoEF) and Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) in the process of

according Environmental Clearance will be implemented in the proposed mines.

3 DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT

Detailed baseline environmental studies have been conducted through EPTRI,Hyderabad during summer 2012 (March - May 2012) to assess the environmental status

in respect of air, water, noise, land and soil quality in core zone and buffer zone (i.e. 10

Km radius study area) of the Cluster of mines. The environmental baseline data conforms

to the requirement of EIA Notification, 2006 vide S.O. 1533, on 14.09.2006 and

subsequent amendments vide S.O. 3067, dated 1.12.2009 and MoEF issued ToR for EIA

/ EMP preparation on 14thDecember 2012.

3.1 Physical ResourcesThe block area of Cluster of mines i.e, GDK 1&3 Incline, GDK 2&2A Incline and GDK 5

Incline mines are gently sloping towards north and north east with minor undulations. The

slope is about 8 m/km. The area is underlain by sandy soil cover ranging in thickness

from 1.5 to 4.6 m. and at places it is up to 7.0 m. The topographic elevation varies from

156 m to 131 m above mean sea level dipping towards north and north east i.e. towards

Godavari River. The drainage is affected by Godavari River supplemented by seasonal

nallahs.

Ramagundam area is of gently undulating terrain, dotted with hillocks and intervening

sand patches. The average elevation of this area varies from 123 m. above MSL on the

northeastern side to 170 m. above MSL on the southwestern side, with a gentle slope

towards Godavari River in the northeast. The hilly region on the southwestern side is of

beveled cuesta type with intervening depressions. Along the Godavari River, the area is

periodically flooded. It is a well drained flood plain of thick un-consolidated alluvium. The

mines are mostly of plain terrain.

Drainage of Core Zone:

GDK 1&3 Incline: River Godavari flows along East West direction and is situated

towards North side of the property. Highest Flood Level (HFL) of the same, recorded in

the year 1995, was 835.95m. The RL of the pit mouth of GDK 1 Incline is 852.885 m and

GDK 3 Incline is 850.008. Over the property of the GDK 1 Incline, one Jangaon Tank

exists at the dip side of the property, below which workings are situated at a depth of 350

m. A seasonal nallah flows along south side of the property where the depth of the

working would be more. A surface drain exists beside GDK 1 Incline office, through which

excess water of mine discharge flows.


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GDK 2&2A Incline:The area is mostly plain with gentle slope towards East. The ground

elevation with reference to MSL varies from 138.28m to 154 m with an average slope of

6m/km. The surface drainage of the mine take area is affected by a nallah running along

the raise side boundary and southern boundary of the property joining into Sundilla tank

situated on the dip side property. The size of the nallah was 3 m to 12 m wide x 3 m to 6

m depth. The HFL of the nallah was 145.9m. Against this nallah, an embankment was

provided about 1.2 KM length having 3 m width at the top and 14 m width at the bottom.

The top RL of the bund is 148.0 m. The nallah flows at a minimum distance of 150 m from

mine entries. The entries of the mine are 5 m higher than HFL.

This Sundilla tank at south eastern side of the of the property is of the size 600 m in

length x 300 m in width x 1 m in depth. Against this tank, an embankment has been

provided having 3 m wide x 2 m height with top of the RL of 843.92 m. The water

overflows towards out side of the mine area along dip side mine boundary and joins at

Jangaon tank which is 1KM away from the mine boundary.

GDK 5 Incline:The surface drainage of the mine take area is affected by three small

nallahs. All the mine entries are 5 m higher than HFL of these nallahs.

- Nallah No.1 is flowing over the rise side boundary barrier of GDK No. 5 Incline &

GDK No. 6 Incline on south east direction.

- Nallah No. 2 is flowing between 26 Dip - 28 Dip and 10L - 37L of 4 Seam in North

East direction and merged in Nallah No.4.

- Nallah No.4 is flowing over the dip side boundary barrier of GDK 5 Incline and

GDK 2 Incline on south east direction.

Drainage of Buffer Zone:

The study area is well drained by Godavari River and its perennial tributaries like Bokkala

vagu and Jallaram vagu. The drainage of this area is of dendritic type, flowing south

easterly and easterly. The highest flood level of Godavari River is 136.7 m above MSL.

Meteorology (Climate)

The climate of the region is characterized as tropical. A distinct hot summer from March

to May with occasional dust storms, a good monsoon between June and September and

a fair weather with variable winds from October to November and a pleasant winter from

December to February, characterize the climate of the region.

Rainfall

Rainfall data being monitored at Ramagundam gauging station for last 39 years (1974-

2012) was analysed. During this period, the annual rainfall varies from 621.1 mm (2004)


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to 1697.3 mm (1983), with a mean of 1096.97 mm. The maximum monthly rainfall is

707.2 mm (July 1988).

3.2 Air Environment

Different air pollution parameters like Particulate Matters less than 10(PM10), ParticulateMatter less than 2.5 (PM2.5), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxides have been

identified as critical parameters relating to project activities for representing baseline

status of ambient air quality within the study area in accordance with the Terms of

Reference (ToR) issued by MoEF. To assess the base line ambient air quality, twelve air

quality monitoring locations were selected covering core and buffer zone of the Cluster of

GDK 1&3, 2&2A and GDK 5 Inclines within 10 Km. radius of study area.

Air Quality Status in Core Zone:Ambient air quality for the core zones shows that PM10 concentration varied from 96

g/m3 to 127 g/m3with a mean of 117 g/m3. PM2.5 concentration varied from 50.30

g/m3to 73.20 g/m3with a mean of 63.60 g/m3. The NOxand SO2concentration varies

from 15.00 g/m3 to 22.30 g/m3and 11.20 g/m3 to 16.60 g/m3 respectively. All the

values are found within prescribed limit as per Ambient Air Quality Standards prescribed

by MoEF for Coal Mines.

Air Quality Status in Buffer Zone:The concentration of PM10 varied from 61 g/m

3 to 88 g/m3 and the maximum

concentration of 88 g/m3 recorded at Jangaon village. The PM2.5 concentration varied

from 28.4 g/m3to 47.4 g/m3and the maximum concentration of 47.4 g/m3recorded at

Jangaon village. The SO2 and NOxconcentration varies from 10.50 g/m3to 16.70 g/m3

and 13.20 g/m3 to 20.30 g/m3 respectively. All the values are found within prescribed

limit as per Ambient Air Quality Standards prescribed by MoEF for Coal Mines and

National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

3.3 Mineralogical Composition

The mineralogical composition for the Particulate Matter size less than 10 collected at

all air quality monitoring locations (one sample per location, which was based on

maximum PM concentration) within the 10 Km radius of the study area and analyzed as

per standards. The samples were analyzed for Chromium, Iron, Nickel, Arsenic,

Cadmium, Mercury, Lead, Cupper, Zinc and it is found that there are no harmful heavy

metals present in the particulate matter.


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3.4 Water Environment

The major water source in the area is Tanks and Ground water. The impact of the

proposed project on the water environment is assessed by studying the water quality of

ground water and surface water bodies sources with in the study area. The sampling

stations were identified considering the proximity to project site and its effect on the water

quality. A total of eleven water samples i.e. five samples from surface water sources,

three samples from ground water sources and three samples from mines discharge were

collected and analyzed for various physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters. The

water quality results were compared with the standards of ground water quality with IS:

10500 and Surface water quality with ISO: 2296, 1982 & CPCB water quality criteria

Surface Water Quality

From the results it can be seen that, pH values were found to be in the range between 6.9

to 8.6. The least pH value of 6.9 was found to be at Nalla Cheruvu and highest pH value

of 8.6 was observed at Godavari River Downstream. Colour, Nitrates, Fluoride

concentrations were well within the tolerance limits. The TDS concentrations were within

the tolerance limit of 1500 mg/L, except for the sample collected at Nalla Cheruvu where

it was observed above the permissible limits. The chloride & sulphates concentrations

were within the tolerance limit of 600 mg/L and 400 mg/L respectively, except for the

sample collected at SW3, where it was observed above the permissible limits.

The concentrations of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Nickel

(Ni) and Lead (Pb) were found to be below their detection limits. The concentrations of

Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) were below the stipulated standards at all the surface water

locations.

Total coli forms and fecal coli forms were present in all the surface water samples

collected in the study area. E.coliwas present in surface water samples collected at all

the locations except at SW-4, where it was found to be


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From the analytical results, it is seen that the water samples collected from the locations

requires suitable treatment to make them potable. For all the groundwater samples both

TDS and Total hardness were found to be above the desirable limits. Under natural

condition, the composition of ground water depends on the composition of rainwater, soil

strata and aquifer materials and changes with time and space. Rainwater harvesting

could ease the situation considerably as enabling more percolation or infiltration of

rainwater, TDS levels could be reduced.

3.5 Noise Levels

A detailed survey on noise environment was carried in and around the Cluster mines to

study the hourly equivalent noise levels. Noise levels were measured for 24 hours on

hourly basis by using a High precision Sound Level Meter at five locations within the

study area.Average Leq values have been recorded at each location for every hour both

during day and night time. It is observed that the noise levels during day time and night

time in the core as well as in buffer zone of the proposed Cluster project are within the

stipulated standards.

3.6 Land Environment

Core Zone

For the analysis of land use & land cover in the study area of the proposed Cluster of UG

mines, satellite data of IRS P VI Satellite Liss III (buffer zone for both Kharif & Rabi

seasons) & IRS R2 Satellite Liss -IV (Core Zone) has been utilized.

The extent of various land use land cover classes under respective classes are, Built up

land of 69.23 Ha (5.1%), Agriculture land of 531.87 Ha (39.19%), Water bodies of 42.14

Ha (3.11%), Waste land of 670.04 Ha (49.39%) and Others 43.57 Ha (3.21%).

Buffer Zone (10 KM)

For the analysis of land use & land cover in the study area of the study area, the IRS PVI

Liss III Multidated (Kharif and Rabi) satellite data has been used.


land of 3801.16 Ha (8.0%), Agriculture land of 26828.85 Ha (56.5%), Forest land of

2828.5 Ha. (5.95%), Water bodies of 4130.07 Ha (8.7%), Waste land of 6814.66 Ha

(14.35%) and Others 3087.69 Ha (6.5%).

Within 3 km of the Buffer Zone


land of 1215.74 Ha (13.47%), Agriculture land of 5066.17 Ha (56.13%), Water bodies of

841.56 Ha (9.32%), Waste land of 1347.28 Ha (14.92%) and Others 554.76 Ha (6.16%).


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With 5 km of the Buffer Zone


land of 1984.13 Ha (11.65%), Agriculture land of 9425.72 Ha (55.34%), Water bodies of

1591.66 Ha (9.34%), Waste land of 2770.11 Ha (16.26%) and Others 1260.78 Ha

(7.41%).

3.7 Soil Quality

To assess impact of the mining on soil in and around cluster mines site and the effect on

agricultural field, baseline soil quality of the area has been evaluated with respect to

physical and chemical parameters for seven soil samples in the study area.

pH is an important parameter which indicates the alkaline or acidic nature of soil. Soil of

all the villages of the study area are slightly acidic to strongly alkaline in nature having pHin the range of 6.4 to 8.5. This pH range is low to moderately suitable for growth of plants.

3.8 Biological Environment

The primary scope of the present study is to conduct a rapid floral and faunal appraisal

and examine the impacts of expansion of Cluster of three underground mines on

biological (terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna) and surrounding ecology. Detailed

biological studies have been carried out for the core zone / area (mine lease area) and

buffer zone / area (10 Km radius from the periphery of proposed mines). It has been

noticed there are no endangered or endemic species present in the study area of

the project.

3.9 Socio-Economic Environment

The proposed Cluster of GDK 1&3, 2&2A & 5 Incline mines is surrounded by 49 villages

within 10 km radius. The socio economic aspects, demographic structure, economic and

livelihood pattern of the 49 villages was analysed based on the secondary data.

Primary data has been generated by adapting a simple random sampling method. Out of

49 villages, 10 villages are identified which have maximum number of households. Within

these villages, 6% of households was taken randomly and attained the sample size of

200 households.

As the area is well developed and mining is being carried in this area from quite long

time, infrastructure, quality of life, other social factors are found good.

4 ALTERNATIVES

Coal mining is site specific in nature and the present proposal is for enhancement of coal

production from the existing cluster of underground mines namely GDK 1&3 Incline, GDK


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2&2A Incline and GDK 5 Incline mines from 1.154 MTPA to 1.734 MTPA in the existing

South Godavari Mining Lease. The total mine take area of the proposed Cluster of GDK

1&3 Incline, GDK 2&2A Incline and GDK 5 Incline mines is 1356.85 Ha.

5 ANTICPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURESThe section summarizes the pollution potential of the proposed project, its possible

impacts on the surrounding environment during pre-operational and operational phases

and the necessary management actions proposed for control and abatement of pollution.

5.1 Impact due to Air Pollution and its Management

The dust pollution control measures that being taken are more as preventive measures

because the generation or emission is not through stacks but from various mining

activities. The following measures are being taken in this regard.

Effective water spraying arrangements in underground working places as well as at

coal loading bunkers at pithead on surface.

Water spraying arrangements are being made by suitable means at underground

haulage roadways, junctions and other transfer points

Enclosures at coal transfer points.

Water spraying arrangement along coal transport route within the mine premises.

Clearing off coal dust heaps on surface.

Black topping of permanent coal transport route.

Watering of roads at regular intervals

Plantation within the mine premises and also along coal transport route

Proper periodic maintenance of vehicles, etc.

Covering the trucks with tarpaulin while transporting coal.

The underground workings of the mine are being well ventilated by adequateventilation arrangements. The requirements and standards specified in this regard by

Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS) would be adhered to.

5.2 Impact on Water Environment

Seepage of ground water is incidental to mining. The seepage water is being utilised for

industrial purposes such as dust suppression, plantation, fire fighting etc. Excess water is

being discharged onto land that ultimately gets into nearby streams and not having any

impact except for TSS & TDS. Other properties of water by and large remain unchanged.


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Presently, treatment of mine discharge water is being done in settling tanks to remove

suspended solids and the same is being let out in to the natural drainage.

Some of the control measures that are being taken for controlling water pollution are as

follows:

The mine discharge water, which may contain coal fines, needs sedimentation, before

discharge into the natural water course / open land. The treatment facilities such as

sedimentation, filtration and chlorination are being provided for mine discharge, so as

to conform to the effluent standards as prescribed by MoEF.

The effluents from service building are being collected by a sewerage system and

treatment by means of septic tanks and soak pits is proposed. There will not be any

impact as the treated sewage is discharged after treatment.

Sewage is being treated in septic tank followed by soak pit for existing townships in

RG - I Area.

Based on the hydro geological studies using Groundwater Estimation Committee (GEC)

1997, it is revealed that, the present stage of ground water development within 10 km

distance from the edge area around GDK1&3, GDK 2 & 2A and GDK 5 inclines cluster

mines is 84.79%. The trend of the phreatic surface in this area is showing marginal

decline. Based on this data, this area is categorised as Semi Critical.

Hence, it is proposed to take up ground water recharge measures in the area for bringing

back the stage of ground water development to the safe category. For this, suitable water

conservation measures and artificial ground water recharge methods will be taken up in

consultation with A.P. State Ground Water Department.

5.3 Impact due to Noise Pollution and its Management

The existing equivalent noise level in the existing mines core zone are in the range of

62.32 dB(A) - 65.82 dB(A) during day time and 50.21 dB(A) - 54.56 at night which are

well within the stipulated standards. The anticipated noise levels are based on the

prevailing noise levels measured at the mine site.

As the mining operations are carried out in underground, there is no significant impact on

the existing noise levels. The only increase in noise levels could be due to coal dispatch

arrangements and surface mine ventilation fan and the same is being abated by

developing a green belt around the fan house and the mine site. Hence, there will not be

any persistent impact on the surrounding environment due to noise. As the miningoperations are being carried out in underground, there is no impact due to blasting and

vibrations.


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The following noise control measures are being taken in the cluster of GDK mines for

mitigating noise pollution.

The main mechanical ventilators (MV Fans) have been provided with evasee for

dampening noise.

Height of fall is minimized at all coal transfer points and internal lining of bins and

chutes.

In the high noise intensity working areas / zones earmuffs or earplugs or any other

suitable personal protective equipment is being provided to the workmen.

Regular noise level monitoring is being done periodically for taking corrective action,

wherever required.

Management of manpower working in high noise level areas such that the assignment

is distributed amongst more persons thereby reducing individual exposure to high

noise level to fewer hours in a shift and maintaining equivalent noise level exposure a

shift to acceptable limit.

Extensive green belt development along the roads and around the offices to create a

barrier or screen between the source and the receiver so that the noise is absorbed

and the exposure level is minimized.

It is therefore expected that the exposure level will be within the permissible limits with

these measures even after expansion of Cluster of UG mines.

5.4 Impact on land and its management

The mine take area of the proposed mine is 1356.85 Ha. which is completely non forest

land. As the mining operations are being carried out below ground, the initial land

required for establishing the pit-head infrastructure and others has already been acquired

and established. Hydraulic sand stowing is proposed for extraction of seams because of

complexity of the seams structure and to protect the surface features like Jangaon village,

Sundilla and Jangaon tanks etc. The size of the panels is designed keeping in view of the

stowing operations.

Subsidence prediction studies using 3D numerical modelling for the three mines were

carried out by Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. IT - BHU,

Varanasi has not suggested any subsidence management as the maximum tensile strain

caused due to subsidence is below 10 mm/m through out the life of the cluster of mines.


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5.5 Solid Waste and its Management

As these three underground mines are operating mines, no further solid waste will be

generated during drivage of tunnels and air shaft sinking which were already completed.

However, solid waste generated during inter seam tunnelling and bottom blasting for

during track laying will be used for underground track ballasting, levelling of the uneven

floors and strengthening of surface bank head. Further, the rejects from mines and GDK

1 CHP is being used for laying road, filling of cracks developed due to subsidence and

pitching of embankments etc.

5.6 Impact on Socio Economic Environment

No Rehabilitation and resettlement is involved in this mine. The proposed enhancement

of production from the Cluster of underground mines can have beneficial impact on socio-

economic front. The proposed expansion of mining activities in the cluster mines also can

bring to them further facilities like secondary employment, increase in existing medical

and communication facilities etc. A common central township is provided on non-coal

bearing area with facilities like dispensary, schools, recreation clubs, well-lighted internal

roads, drinking water supply, sewerage system and dustbins etc.

6 ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Environment Management Plan (EMP) aims at the preservation of ecological system by

considering in-built pollution abatement facilities at the proposed site. Mitigationmeasures at the source level and an overall environment management plan at the study

area are elicited so as to improve the supportive capacity of the receiving bodies. The

EMP aims at controlling pollution at the source level to the possible extent with the

available and affordable technology followed by treatment before they are discharged.

Environmental monitoring programme has been prepared for the proposed expansion of

Cluster mines for assessing the efficacy of implementation of Environment Management

Plan and to take corrective measures in case of any degradation in the surrounding

environment.

7 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME:

Post-project environmental monitoring programme has been envisaged for the project to

monitor the impact of coal mining operations on various environmental attributes. Air

quality, water quality, noise levels, ground water levels will be periodically monitored in

compliance to the conditions stipulated by APPCB and MoEF and necessary mitigation

measures will be taken as and when necessary.


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8 ADDITIONAL STUDIES

The effect of subsidence on the various surface features due to the proposed mining

operations has been studied by IT - BHU, Varanasi. After considering the geo mining

parameters, it has been proposed to extract the panels by Bord & Pillar method with semi

mechanization with hydraulic sand stowing.

Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan

No rehabilitation and resettlement is involved in these Cluster of mines.

9 PROJECT BENEFITS

- Indirect employment opportunities to local people and improvement in

communication, education, community development and medical facilities.

- The project will help in socio-economic development of the area and also the state- The project helps in further development of infrastructure facilities

10 FUND PROVISION FOR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT

In order to implement the environmental protection measures, an amount of Rs. 125.00

lakhs is provided in capital cost.

11 MINE CLOSURE PLAN

Mining being a temporary venture must be closed after exhaustion of the minerals being

exploited. Closing a mine without adequate planning of post mining activities may induce

severe negative impacts on environment in the post closure stage. Closing of mining

operations involves numerous issues like reclamation and environmental protection,

community issues, socio-economic consideration, planning for alternate use of available

facilities, cost estimation and asset disposal. The total mine closure cost for the cluster

mines mine is estimated at Rs. 6421.77 Lakhs.

12 CONCLUSION

The industrial and economic growth of India depends to a large extent on coal, which is

the prime source of energy. Our requirement of coal has greatly increased as we

progress from one five-year plan to another. The demand of coal on SCCL by the end of

XII Plan is around 79.69 MTPA. The major requirement will come from the power sector.

The balance coal is required for other industries like Cement, Sponge iron etc.

As a strategy of SCCL for maintaining / increasing the coal production, the present

proposal is made for enhancing the production from the existing underground mines.

The industrial development and consequent economic development should lead to

improvement of environment through better living and greater social awareness. As


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Th Si i C lli i C Li it d16

mining cannot be stopped unless we want to revert back to medieval ages, solution lies in

advanced planning and environmental management and protection as a part and parcel

of the mining system.

From the detailed analysis of the environmental impacts and the remedial measuresproposed, it can be concluded that no significant deterioration in the eco-system is likely

to occur due to the proposed underground mine. On the other hand, this project is likely

to have several benefits like improvement in indirect employment generation and

economic growth of the area, by way of improved infrastructure facilities and better socio-

economic conditions.

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Documents

Sccl, Gdk Mines, Karimnagar Dist., Exe Sum Eng