MADHYA PRADESH STATE MINING CORPORATION LIMITED

BICHARPUR COAL BLOCK (An underground Coal Mine)

Sohagpur Coal Field, Tehsil Sohagpur, District Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh

Lease Area 500 ha.

Production capacity : Normative - 0.75 Mtpa,

***

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

&

ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN

***

TEXT, FIGURES, ANNEXURES & PLATES

***

Prepared by

MINENVIRON SYSTEMS PVT. LTD, NAGPUR (Conditionally Accredited as EIA Consultant Organisation by QCI, NABET)

AUGUST, 2012

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT &

ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN For

BICHARPUR COAL BLOCK

CONTENTS

Reference Page

1.0

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of the Report … … 01 1.2 Identification of Project and Project Proponent … … 01 1.3 Project Description … … 02 1.4 Scope of Study … …

02

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

04

2.1 Type of Project … … 04 2.2 Need of Project … … 04 2.3 Location … … 04 2.4 Size and Magnitude of the Project … … 05 2.5 Proposed Schedule of Approval and Implementation … … 05 2.6 Technology and Process Description … … 05 2.7 Proposed Scientific Studies 12 2.8 Site Services … … 12 2.9 Manpower Requirement 13 2.10 Mitigation Measures Incorporated … … 14 2.11 New Untested Technologies

14

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT 15

3.1 Study Area & collection of Baseline Environmental Data … … 15 3.2 Landuse of the Study Area 16 3.3 Landuse of Core Zone / Proposed Lease area … … 17 3.4 Water Regime and Hydrogeology … … 17 3.5 Climate … … 19 3.6 Ambient Air Quality … … 21 3.7 Water Quality 24 3.8 Noise Levels 28 3.9 Soil Quality 28 3.10 Bio Diversity 29 3.11 Traffic Survey

31

Contd…

(ii) Reference

para

4.0

ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS & MITIGATION MEASURES 32

4.1 General … … 32

4.2 Land … … 32 4.3 Ambient Air Quality … … 33 4.4 Impact on Water Regime … … 33 4.5 Water Quality- Impact and amelioration … … 33 4.6 Noise … … 34 4.7 Blasting Vibrations … … 34 4.8 Impact on Soil Quality and Ameliorative Measures … … 35 4.9 Biodiversity –Impact and Ameliorative Measures … … 35 4.10 Impact of Transportation … … 35 4.11 Disaster Management Plan

… … 35

5.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES (Technology & Site)

… … 36

6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME

… … 37

6.1 Proposed Environmental Monitoring Programme … … 37 6.2 Environmental Budget … … 38 6.3 Mine Closure Plan and Conceptual Post Mining landuse … … 39 6.4 Green Belt Development

… … 39

7.0 ADDITIONAL STUDIES 40

7.1 Public Consultation … … 40 7.2 Occupational Health Issues … 41 7.3 Risk Assessment 42 7.4 Social Impact Assessment … … 42 7.5 Proposals under Corporate Social Responsibility … … 44 7.6 Baseline Health Data

46

8.0 PROJECT BENEFITS

… … 48

8.1 Additional Supply of Coal .. .. 48 8.2 Technological Benefits … … 48 8.3 Improvement in Social and Physical Infrastructure … .. 48 8.4 Employment Potential … … 49 8.4 Other Tangible Benefits

49

9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS

… … 50

10.0 EMP / ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS

… … 51

11.0 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION … … 53 11.1 Project Location and Project Description … … 53 11.2 Description of Environment … … 54 11.3 Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures … … 55 11.4 Environmental Monitoring Programme … … 56 11.5 Additional Studies … … 57 11.6 Project Benefits … … 57 11.7 EMP / Environment Management Plan

… … 57

12.0

DISCLOSURE OF CONSULTANTS ENGAGED … … 59

Contd…

(iii) LIST OF FIGURES

Figure

Paragraph Number

1

:

Location Map

…

1.2.2

2 A : Geological Plan

… 2.6.1 (d)

2 B : Geological Cross Sections

… 2.6.1 (d)

3 A : Project Master Plan … 2.6.2 e (i)

3 B : A Section along Inclines … 2.6.2 e (ii)

4 : Method of Extraction of Pillars … 2.6.2 f (iv)

5 A : Stage plan – I, II and III year … 2.6.2 f (vii) 5 B : Stage plan – X year … 2.6.2 f (vii) 5 C : Stage plan – XX year … 2.6.2 f (vii) 5 D : Stage plan – XXX year … 2.6.2 f (vii) 5 E : Stage plan – XXXXI year

2.6.2 f (vii)

6 Study area map 1:1,25,000

… 3.1.1

7 : Land use / Land cover Map prepared from Satellite Image … 3.2.5

8 : Water Balance Diagram

… 3.4.5

9 A : Wind Rose Diagram 08.30 hrs – Umaria … 3.5.3 d (i) 9 B : Wind Rose Diagram 17.30 hrs – Umaria … 3.5.3 d (i) 9 C Wind Rose Diagram at Site 10 December 2010 to 10 March 2011

… 3.5.3 d (i)

10 : Map showing locations of Air Quality Monitoring Stations

… 3.6.3 (iv)

11 : Map showing locations of Surface and Ground Water Monitoring Station

… 3.7.1 (c)

12 : Map showing locations of Noise level Monitoring Station

… 3.8.2

13 Map showing locations of Soil Quality Monitoring Station

… 3.9.2

LIST OF PLATES

I :

Key Plan on Scale 1::50,000 …

1.4.2 / 2.3.3

II : Premining / Current Landuse Plan for Core Zone … 1.4.2 (b)

II : Map Showing Drainage or Core Zone And Surrounding Area …

3.4.1 (d)

Contd…

(iv)

LIST OF ANNEXURES

ANNEXURES

Paragraph Number

I A :

Letter No. J-11015/308/2010/IA. II(M) dated 23rd

December 2010, prescribing Terms of Reference (TOR)

…

1.1

I B : Certificate of Incorporation

… 1.2.3

II A/1 : Letter No. 13016/8/2007-CA-1 dated 25th July 2007 re allocation of

Coal Block … 1.2.4

II A/2 : Letter No. 13016/8/2007-CA-1 dated 10 August 2007

… 1.2.4

II B : Letter No. 13016/24/2011-CA-I, dated 02 August 2012 approving the Mining Plan

… 2.5.2

III A : Letter of No Objection from Shahdol Municipal Committee dated 01.06.2011

… 2.5.7

III B : Letter No. f-1/636/2011/10-11/3515, dated13.12.2011 forwarding Proposal for Diversion of Forest Land to MoEF

… 2.5.8

IV : List of Equipments proposed to be used

… 2.6.3

V A : Village wise Land use data for study area … 3.2.3

V B : Village wise break up of land of Proposed Lease Area

… 3.3.2

VI A : Long Term Climatological Data –Umaria Meteorological Station … 3.5.2

VI B : Annual Rainfall Data 1994-2005 … 3.5.3 a (i)

VI C : Month wise Rainfall Data … 3.5.3 a (i)

VI D : Month wise Maximum – Minimum Temperature 2001-2005 … 3.5.3 b (i)

VI E : Month wise Relative Humidity at 08.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs, 2001-2005

… 3.5.3 c (i)

VII A : Descriptive location of Air Quality Monitoring Station

… 3.6.3 (iv)

VII B/1 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A1, Bicharpur village … 3.6.6

VII B/2 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A2, Sohagpur village … 3.6.6

VII B/3 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A3, Mahauli Village … 3.6.6

VII B/4 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A4, Khamaria village … 3.6.6 VII B/5 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A5, Fatehpur Village … 3.6.6 VII B/6 : 13 Week Ambient Air Quality Data – A6, Khurd village … 3.6.6

Contd…

(v)

LIST OF ANNEXURES

ANNEXURES

Paragraph Number

VIII A :

Descriptive listing of Water Quality Monitoring Station …

3.7.1 (c)

VIII B/1 : Water Quality Data – Surface Waters … 3.7.2 (f)

VIII B/2 : Water Quality Data – Ground Waters

… 3.7.2 (f)

IX : Noise Level Monitoring Data

… 3.8.2

X : Soil Quality Data

… 3.9.3

XI A/1 : List of Flora in Core zone … 3.10.6 a (ii)

XI A/2 : List of Herbaceous Species in Core zone … 3.10.6 a (iii)

XI A/3 : List of Flora in Buffer zone … 3.10.6 b

XI B/1 : List of Fauna in Core zone … 3.10.7 a

XI B/2 : List of Fauna in Buffer zone … 3.10.7 b (i)

XII A : Water Requirement of the Mine … 4.4.5

XII B : Conservation Plan for Sch. I Specie – Peafowl … 4.9.5

XIII : Proposed Disaster Management Plan … 4.10

XIV : List of Species for Plantation of Green Belt … 6.4.3

XV A : Proceedings of Public Hearings … 7.1.5

XV B : Risk Assessment of Bicharpur Mine … 7.3.4

XVI A : Yearwise Headwise Details of CSR Plan – Capital Account … 7.5.4

XVI B : Yearwise Headwise Details of CSR Plan – Revenue Account … 7.5.4

BICHARPUR COAL BLOCK FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESMENT

&

ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1

Purpose of the Report

…

01

1.2 Identification of Project and Project Proponent … 01

1.3 Project Description … 02

1.4 Scope of Study … 02

1.1 Purpose of the Report The purpose of preparing the report is to obtain Environment Clearance (EC) for

extraction of coal by underground mining. The application in form prescribed by EIA

Notification, 2006, as amended on 01 December 2009, was submitted in September 2010. The

Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), evaluated the proposed at its meeting held on 22-23

November 2010. The document has been prepared to fulfill the Terms of Reference (TOR)

prescribed by the EAC and communicated vide letter No. J-11015/308/2010.IA.II (M) dated 23rd

December 2010. The said letter is placed at Annexure I A.

1.2 Identification of Project and Project Proponent

1.2.1 The proposed Mining Lease is located south of Shahdol town, the district place, with

Bicharpur village being located in the middle part of the block, in Sohagpur Tahsil of Shahdol

district in the State of Madhya Pradesh.

1.2.2 The land over which block is demarcated belongs to Kalyanpur, Senduri and Bicharpur

villages as well as Shahdol town with slightly less than 50% land area of total lease belonging to

Bicharpur village. The location map as prescribed by TOR, showing the proposed lease is

placed at Figure 1. The allotted block area is 500 ha (5 sq. km.). Out of this area, 75.750 ha is

Protected Forest and 35.061 ha is Revenue forest.

1.2.3 The project proponent is the Madhya Pradesh, State Mining Corporation Ltd., a public

sector company registered under companies Act 1956. The registered office of the company is

located at:

Paryavas Bhawan, Block No. 1(A),

Second floor, Jail Road, Arera Hills,

Bhopal – 462011

The certificate of incorporation of the company is placed at Annexure I B.

1.2.4 The block has been allotted to the Madhya Pradesh State Mining Corporation Ltd

(MPSMC) by Government of India, Ministry of coal vide letter F. No. 13016/8/2007-CA-1 dated

25th

July 2007. The letter was subsequently modified vide letter No. 13016/8/2007-CA-1 dated

10th

August 2007 in respect of column ‘Project Name’ appearing in the Table in Para 1. The

content of this column was changed from “Proposed Power Projects in the State of Madhya

Pradesh” to “For non power sectors / merchandise mining”. These letters are placed at

Annexure II A/1and II A/2 respectively.

01

Figure 1 - Location Map

1.2.5 As per para 2(i) of the letter of allotment, the MPSMCL was permitted to carry out

Prospecting / Exploration and Coal Mining through a separate company, to be created with

participation of M/s. MPSMCL, provided that the separate created company is a Government

company.

1.3 Project Description

1.3.1 The project is proposed to be an underground coal mine with normative capacity

0.75 Mtpa.

1.3.2 The project is necessary to meet increasing demand of coal in the state of Madhya

Pradesh and the country. The coal produced will be despatched by rail. The project is likely to

generate new employment opportunities in this area with improved facilities in health,

educational and village upliftment sectors.

1.3.3 Since it is an underground mine, it is not necessary to acquire full area of the lease. The

mine is planned so that there will not be any surface subsidence. It is proposed to acquire 4.83

ha. land within the lease area and 10.56 ha. outside lease area in Sinduri village for surface

infrastructure and colony.

1.4 Scope of Study

1.4.1 The EAC at its meeting held on 22nd

-23rd

November 2010, has appraised the information

provided, in the application for Environment Clearance, in the prescribed Form. After a

presentation was made by the project proponent, the committee has prescribed Terms of

Reference (TOR) which is placed at Annexure I A.

1.4.2 In order to fulfill the Terms of Reference prescribed following steps have been taken.

a) The key Plan, prepared from SOI toposheets, enclosed with Form 1 application,

was studied in detail to know the physical status of the block area and 10 km radius

buffer zone. The key plan is enclosed as Plate I.

b) The details of individual plots in the block were obtained from revenue

department officials of the Tahsil. There are parts of two compartments of Protected

Forests in the lease area. The details of Revenue Forest were obtained from revenue

department. The current or premining land use of the block area is shown at Plate II.

c) The land use in the 10 km radius from boundary of the lease, buffer zone, was

drawn from 2001 census data. The land use of buffer zone area was also analysed from

recent satellite image obtained from National Remote Sensing Agency.

d) Collection of one season – 13 week Ambient Air Quality Data was also initiated

from 10.12.2010. The data is enclosed and analysed in this document.

e) Water samples and soil samples were collected during the month of December

2010 while noise levels were monitored for continuous 24 hours at six locations during

the same period. The results of analysis of water and soil samples and the noise level

data are enclosed and analysed in this report.

f) A hydro geological study of the core zone and 10 km radius buffer zone area has

also been undertaken. The results are discussed in this document.

02

g) There is 110.811 ha of forest land. Out of 75.750 ha is Protected Forest and

35.061 ha is Revenue forest. A study of Flora and Fauna in Core zone and Buffer zone

has been undertaken. There are a number of Reserved Forest and Protected Forest in

NW, West, South and SE part of buffer zone totalling about 7000 ha.

h) The approved Mining Plan was studied in details to obtain information such as

mode of entry, method of mining, proposed mechanisation and area proposed to be used

for surface infrastructure etc.

i) A Socio Economic Survey of eight villages and Ward No. 29 of Shahdol town,

with one village Bicharpur lying within the proposed lease area, was carried out so that

programme for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), could be prepared for

implementation by the company, after the lease is granted. There was no village and not

even one single hutment was to be disturbed, hence R & R package was not required.

j) The data regarding climate of the area was obtained for Umaria,

Meteorological Station, about 70 km from the proposed lease area.

k) The plan for future development of the Shahdol town was collected from Shahdol

Municipal Council.

The document is based on all the above information and its analysis.

03

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1

Type of Project

…

04

2.2 Need of Project … 04

2.3 Location … 04

2.4 Size and Magnitude of the Project … 05

2.5 Proposed Schedule of Approval and Implementation … 05

2.6 Technology and Process Description … 05

2.7 Proposed Scientific Studies … 12

2.8 Site Services … 12

2.9 Manpower Requirement … 13

2.10 Mitigation Measures Incorporated … 14

2.11 New-Untested Technologies … 14

2.1 Type of Project

The project is an underground coal mine. It proposes to mine coal by mechanised

underground mining methods at depth varying from 120.5m to 255.6m. The approach to the

underground seams will be through a pair of inclined drifts (tunnels), driven from surface.

2.2 Need of Project The coal is main source of commercial energy available in the country. Due to

inadequate indigenous production, during year 2011, the country is expected to import over 15%

of country’s requirement of coal. The coal produced from the mine will meet additional

requirement of industries, over and above the current linkages.

2.3 Location

2.3.1 The proposed mining lease is located in Sohagpur coalfield in Shahdol district of Madhya

Pradesh. It is located in Survey of India toposheet No. 64 E/7. The geographical location lies

between:

Latitude 23º-16’- 15”N to 23º-17’-30”N

Longitude 81º-20’-30”E to 81º-22’-00”E

2.3.2 The location map showing the proposed lease is placed at Figure 1. The map shows State

of Madhya Pradesh within India, Shahdol district within State Madhya Pradesh and proposed

lease site in enlarged, part plan of Shahdol and surrounding districts.

2.3.3 The specific site of the project is shown in the Key Plan, Plate I, prepared from Survey of

India toposheet on scale 1:50,000. The plan shows 500 ha proposed lease area surrounded by

areas within 10km radius from the proposed block boundary.

2.3.4 There are no eco-sensitive areas like National Parks, Sanctuaries, Elephant Reserves,

Tiger Reserves or migratory routes of Fauna within 50km radius from boundary of the proposed

lease.

04

2.4 Size and Magnitude of the Project

2.4.1 The proposed underground mine will have normative capacity of 0.75 Mtpa. The

proposed capacity will be achieved during 3rd

year. The life of the mine is calculated at 41 years,

including development.

2.5 Proposed Schedule of Approval and Implementation

2.5.1 The block, when allotted, was not prospected fully. Only two boreholes drilled by GSI

had proved occurrence of coal seams. The detailed exploration was carried out and “Geological

Report” prepared by M/s. Naresh Kumar & Co. Pvt. Ltd, on behalf MPSMC Ltd.

2.5.2 The Mining Plan for this underground mine has been submitted to the Ministry of coal

for approval and approval is expected in a couple of months. The approval letter No. 13016/24/2011-CA-I, dated 02 August 2012 is placed at Annexure II B.

2.5.3 The application for Environmental Clearance (EC) in Form 1 was submitted in

September 2010, and was considered by Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) at its meeting held

on 22nd

– 23rd

November 2010. The letter prescribing TOR is placed at Annexure I A.

2.5.4 The collection of Baseline data on Ambient Air Quality, Water Quality, Noise Levels,

Soil Quality and traffic survey has been completed in March 2011 and final report is now

available.

2.5.5 The Socio Economic Survey work has also been completed and report is now available.

The work of hydrogeological survey is in progress.

2.5.6 Since there are forests within the proposed lease area as well as 10km radius buffer zone,

a flora and fauna survey of both core and buffer zone has been completed. The report is now

available.

2.5.7 The plan for underground mining has been brought to the notice of the Urban

Development department of the State Government as well as Shahdol Municipal Council. The

comments of both are placed at Annexure IIIA.

2.5.8 The process for Diversion of the Forest land has been initiated in 2011. The State Govt. ,

vide Letter No. F-1/636/2011/10-11/3515, dated 13.12.2011 has forwarded the Proposal for

Diversion of Forest Land to MoEF . The said letter is attached at Annexure IIIB

2.6 Technology and Process Description

2.6.1 Geology and Exploration

a) Physiography

The area is almost flat terrain, with slightly elevated land going upto level of

483 MSL in the Western area, of the proposed lease. The lowest level of 450 mRL is in

the northern part of the block.

05

b) Drainage

There is one seasonal nalla called Lotna nalla flowing from South to North

almost in the middle of the proposed lease. Near the northern end of the area, it

confluences Murna nalla from east and Bagalna nalla from West. After confluence nalla

going out of lease is called Murna nalla. The latter continues to flow towards north

beyond the 10km radius buffer zone. A number of seasonal nallas also join these three

water courses.

c) Regional Geology

The Sohagpur coalfield is a part of large sedimentary filled Gondwana trough in Son

river basin. The generalized stratigraphic sequence, in this coal field, as per Geological

survey of India is tabulated below

Age Formation / Group Lithology Thickness

Eocene to Upper Cretaceous

Dolerite dykes and sills

Upper Cretaceous

Lameta Beds Reddish and greenish sandstones and nodular limestones

UNCONFORMITY

Upper Gondwana Group

Upper Triassic Mahadeva(?) Pink, buff and red sandstone, red shales, etc

UNCONFORMITY

Lower Gondwana Group

Lower Permian Barakar Coarse to medium grained sandstone, subordinate shales and coal seams

+ 320 m

Lower Permian to Upper Carboniferous

Talchir Diamictite sandstone silstones And needle shales

+ 430 m

UNCONFORMITY

Precambrian Porphyritic granite gneiss with aplite and Pegmatite Veins

Sohagpur coalfield constitutes the middle segment of the Rewa Gondwana basin,

with a regional E-W elongation in conformity with the alignment of the basin belt. The

beds have a general WNW-ESE and to east-west trend, with low dip (1º to 4º) towards

NNE to north.

The Sohagpur basin is composed of 3 well defined sub basinal structures. These

include (1) Jharkhand sub-basin to the east (2) Kotma Jamuna sub-basin in the middle

and (3) Burhar –Amlai sub- basin in the west, separated generally by faulting.

Bamni- Chilpa fault which runs along middle part of the coalfield, is the most

important of the faults, separating these sub basins. A salient feature is the emplacement

of a doleritic sills and dykes along this fault zone.

06

d) Local Geology

The Bicharpur block has generally a simple structure as deciphered on the basis

of surface geological mapping, as well as drilling data. The strike of the beds is

generally EW. The strata are gently dipping with the amount of dip varying from 1º to 4º

towards North. The Geological plan is placed at Figure 2 A. The faults are shown on

Geological Plans as well as cross sections at Figure 2 A and Figure 2 B.

e) Exploration

41 borehole totaling 10820.0m have been drilled during the recent exploration

programme. Two holes totally 610.7m have been drilled earlier by GSI. The drilled

holes intercepted a total of five seams with top – IV seam intersected at depth from

120.48m to 168.45m. The Geological cross sections, based on borehole data, are shown

at Figure 2 B.

f) The sequence of coal seams

Naming of coal seams are in accordance with GSI standard method, starting from

basal most as seam I. In Bicharpur block four coal seams, I, II, III (III A and III B) and

IV are present in ascending order.

Seam I (oldest) is inconsistent and has not been considered for reserves

estimation.

The generalized sequence of seams with their intervening parting is given in table

below

Seam Name Thickness Range (m) With Borehole No.

Min Max

Parting

IV 1.32 (MAB 38) 3.19 (MAB 42)

Parting 57.77 (MAB 22) 68.05 (MAB 2)

III A 0.52 (SBP 10) 6.05 (MAB 15)

Parting 0.66 (MAB 5) 2.74 (MAB 3)

III A / III B 0.05 (MAB 19) 2.48 (SBP 10)

Parting 12.01 (MAB 41) 21.99 (MAB 22)

II 0.32 (MAB 22) 2.28 (MAB 1)

Parting 10.96 (MAB 8) 27.28 (MAB 12)

I 0.15 (MAB 26) 0.75 (MAB 4)

g) Quality

The ash content of the seams varies from 15.56% to 52.3%. The moisture content

varies from 3.58% to 10.05%. The Useful Heat Value (UHV) varies from 1098 kcal per

kg to 5960 kcal per kg with II seam and IV seam having better quality coal. Grade of

coal varies from C to G with average being ‘E’

Three coal samples were analysed for heavy metals. The analysis Results are given in

table below : Sr. No.

Sample Code Ash % S % Hg (ppm)

As (ppm)

Pb (ppm)

Cr (ppm)

1 NL-433(1)/ MAB- 04(C1+C2+D1+C3) 19.15 0.59 0.002 15 ND 50

2. NL-433(1)/MAB-04(C13-C21) 41.96 0.43 0.001 12 ND 40

3. NL-433(1)/(1)/MAB-04(C25-C27) 28.24 0.46 0.001 12 ND 40

The results show that sulphur is (-) 0.6%, which is medium. The heavy metals like Mercury,

Arsenic, Lead and Chromium are very low.

07

h) Faulting

On the basis of difference in lower levels and the reduction of parting between the

seams, four faults have been deciphered in the block. The details of these faults have

been tabulated in the following table.

S. No.

Fault No.

Location of Fault Deciphered in Seams

Trend & Strike

Lengths of Fault

Throw

Evidence Direction

Amount (m)

1 F1-F1 In the southern part of block between BH MAB-19, 17, 3, 8, 38, 2 & MAB-10

IV III II

NNW-SSE

1.60 Km

Towards West

4-15

Noticeable difference in the

floor contour level of seam and depth of

seams on either side of the

faults.

2 F2-F2 In the eastern part of block between BH MAB-28, 30, 37 & 14

IV III II

NW-SE 0.88Km

Towards South

3-5

3 F3-F3 In the eastern part of block between BH MAB-16 & MAB-22

IV III II

NE-SW 0.92Km

Towards North

3-5

4 F4-F4 In the southern limit of block between MAB-13 and MAB-42

IV III II

NE-SW 0.32Km

Towards South

15

The local seams encountered in the boreholes have been correlated along the

strike of the seam, taking II seam as base, which is developed throughout the block.

i) Reserves

For reserves estimation Seam II, III, and IV have been considered, as all these

three seams are fairly well developed in whole of the block. Calculation of reserves has

been done by isochore method.

The seam wise summary of the reserves is given below. 5% have been deducted

from gross reserves to arrive at net insitu reserves.

(Fig in Mt)

Seam Gross insitu

Reserves 5% Deduction Net In-situ Proved Reserves

IV 14.59 0.73 13.86

IIIA 28.85 1.44 27.41

II 12.76 0.64 12.12

Total 56.20 2.81 53.39

08

Thus a total of 53.39 Mt will be available for underground mining. The deposit have

been evaluated through Minex Software using 3D solid modelling. The reserves arrived at are

53.31Mt which tallies very well with the reserve calculated by isochore method.

j) Mineable Reserves & Life of Mine

i) The mineable reserves have been arrived at as under :

Seam Net Geo

Reserves Reserves in seam

thickness less than 1.2m

Losses in boundary, Faults

etc.

Net Extractable Reserves

IV 13.86 0.13 0.83 12.90

III A 27.41 0.16 1.512 25.74

II 12.12 0.50 0.777 10.94

TOTAL 53.39 0.79 3.119 49.58

ii) The mineable reserves have been calculated by taking into account various

losses. The IV seam i.e. topmost seam will not be depillared, only developed, while other

will be partially extracted. Thus the seam wise coal extracted will be as under

IV seam 3.13 Mt, III seam 18.07 Mt, II seam 7.92 Mt = Total 29.12 Mt

At production of 0.75 Mt per year life of the mine will 39 year. Including two

years for initial development, the life of the mine will be 41 years.

2.6.2 Mining

a) Although the Bicharpur block has geological occurrence of five seams, namely

IV, III B, III A, II and I. Only three IV, III A and II have workable thickness. Seams III

B and I do not have workable thickness. Opencast mining is totally ruled out due to total

thickness of coal seams available in the proposed lease, is quite low as compared

thickness of overburden and partings etc.

b) Thus, underground mining is only the option. There are total of four faults with

two having throws varying from 4m to 15m. While other two have throw of 3m to 4m.

Hence, these are not constraint to mechanised mining.

c) The underground mining has two options namely Longwall mining using Shearer

for coal winning and shields as roof support. However, limited reserves do not justify

investments required for Longwall mining, besides seam thickness have substantial

variation. The deposit geometry is not convenient to have longwall faces with sufficient

length and continuity.

d) Thus mechanised Bord and Pillars method has been chosen to work the mine.

The workable seams namely IV, III A and II are non contiguous thus they can be

extracted top down ward.

09

e) Approach / Mine Entries

i) To produce 0.75 Mtpy or 2500 tpd, providing two independent shafts for coal

evacuation will need very high capital investment. Hence it is proposed to have two

inclined entries located in South West region as shown at Figure 3A, Project Master

Plan.

ii) A pair of common inclines will be driven at gradient of 1 in 5, from SW to NE

direction, touching IV seam a depth of 130 m to 140m, at a distance of 800 m. The

inclines will continue further to touch III seam at 1100 m and II seam at 1200m. The two

inclines will be cross connected at 50m interval. A section at inclines is shown at

Figure 3B. Ultimate depth of mine will be 270 m.

iii) The same entries shall provide access to all the three seams. Both inclines will be

4.8 m wide X 3.0 m height. For ventilation, a 5 m dia shaft will be sunk to a depth of

135m upto IV seam. A separate stable pit of 80m depth will connect all the three seams

for return airway. Location of shaft is shown at Figure 3 A. While both shaft and staple

pit are shown at Figure 3 B.

f) Method of Mining

i) The mine has been planned on Bord or Pillar method with gallery width of 4.8m

and working heights of 1.9m for IV seam, 3.5m for seam III A and 1.8m for seam II.

Pillars will have size of 40m X 40m Centre to Centre. Higher pillar size of 40m X 40m

has been chosen so that factor of safety of 2 is provided for safety of pillars.

ii) The entire mine will be developed on this pattern in all the three seams.

Vertically shall be maintained i.e. gallery below gallery and Pillar below pillars, in all the

three seams.

iii) The method of mining is so planned that there will be no subsidence on surface.

Hence surface features like forest, villages, Nalla / water courses and roads etc are not

affected. However in the NW corner, there are no surface features and hence complete

extraction has been planned in one panel; in all the three seams.

iv) The seam IV will be only developed and left standing on pillars. Seam III A and

seam II will be worked by a method called Non-Effective Width (NEW) extraction

method. In this method the panel width is such that fall of roof after extraction does not

reach the surface. The method of extraction of pillars is shown at Figure 4.

v) Thus in seam III A and seam II, a panel will have width of two pillars leaving

barriers of one pillar row. There is no restriction of length of such panels.

vi) With this method of extraction there will be no perceptible subsidence below any

surface feature.

vii) The stage wise position of mine is depicted in Figures 5 A to 5 E.

10

g) Roof Support

The physico-mechanical properties of the rock have been tested. The results

indicate that roof bolts, 1.8m in length, with resin capsule anchorage, placed at 1.2m

interval will be adequate support. However a Scientific Agency will be engaged after

start of Mining operations to determine RMR so as to frame the support standards.

Systematic support Rules will be drafted and DGMS approval will be obtained for

‘Standard Support Rules’ (SSR).

2.6.3 Mechanisation

For this fully mechanised mine, the mechanisation planned includes, two sets of

continuous miners with shuttle cars and multi roof bolters for both development and

depillaring. Coal from production faces will be evacuated through a feeder breaker on to

a system of belt conveyors. The list of machinery proposed to be used is placed at

Annexure IV.

2.6.4 Ventilation

a) It is proposed that both the inclines will be used for intake air while the shaft will

be used for return air. The exhaust fan will be installed at upcast shaft.

b) An exhaust fan with capacity of 150m3/ sec will be installed at upcast shaft. The

fan will have 100-67mm Water Gauge (WG) with 250 KW motor.

c) Face ventilation shall be ensured by forcing auxiliary fans with capacity of

120m3/sec, 100mm WG, with 750mm dia ventilation ducts. 12 nos. of auxiliary fans are

being provided.

2.6.5 Drilling and Blasting

No drilling and blasting is proposed or required. However, provision has been made for a

small LHD mining district for emergent operation.

A small two tonne magazine will be provided at surface for storing explosives and

accessories.

2.6.6 Pumping

a) The pumping capacity will be based on hydrogeological study which is in

progress. However, preliminary result indicates that there may not be heavy make of

water in the mine. Hence, to start with it is proposed to have pumping capacity of 75 l

per second.

b) The pumps proposed to be provided are given below:

i) Face Pumps 11 LPs 30 m Head…….8 Nos.

ii) Auxiliary 38 LPs pumps x 100 m head……10 Nos.

iii) Mid sump pumps – 38 LPs x 200 m head…..4 Nos.

iv) Main pumps 38 Lps x 300 M head…..2 Nos.

11

2.6.7 Coal Preparation and Coal Despatch

a) Coal from underground shall be transported by the main belt conveyor to a 200 t

capacity overhead bunker. The coal will be loaded into 20/30 t capacity closed body

dumpers and transported to railway siding about 2 km away where it will stocked, in a

coal stock yard as necessary.

b) No pit head washery or crushing is proposed

2.7 Proposed Scientific Studies

It is proposed to undertake several scientific studies for proper design and safe working

of the mine. These will include

i) Determination of RMR

ii) Crossing Point, Ignition point and incubation period of all three seams separately

iii) Gasiness of seams for each seam separatly, as soon as mining operations are

started.

iv) Studies to determine width of splits and ribs while depillaring.

2.8 Site Services

2.8.1 Although Shahdol town with considerable infrastructural facilities is located on northern

boundary of the proposed lease, for smooth operation of the project it is necessary that sufficient

infrastructural facilities are developed at the project site. These are outlined below:

2.8.2 Workshop, Warehouse

The complex will include repair bays for equipment, a washing bay, store room,

inspection pits, engine repair room, electrical repair room and light vehicle repair facility. The

workshop will have a well equipped machine shop and it will be used to repair both parts and

assemblies. However, major equipment overhauls and capital repairs will be outsourced. The

store will be properly designed to store both fast moving spares as well as slow moving ones. An

Effluent Treatment plant to remove grease and oil will be provided.

2.8.3 Power Supply

The estimated power requirement of the project is 4 MVA. The power will be received

through 33 KV overhead line of Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board to main surface station,

where it will be stepped down to 3.3 KV and 440 V / 550V for different usage. The underground

will have two substations of 1 MVA each.

2.8.4 Water Supply

The mine is expected to require 130 m3/kl of water per day including soft water for

cooling of continuous miner. Initially for two / three years this will be drawn from borewells

drilled. Later on when pumping starts from mine, the same will be appropriately treated and

used. Colony will need 240 m3 per day of water. The pumped mine water will be treated and

supplied.

2.8.5 Sewarage Disposal and Effluent Treatment

The sewerage disposal at mine site will be through septic tanks while a treatment plant

will be provided at the colony. The workship effluent will be treated through on ETP.

12

2.8.6 Communication

The system will provide for reporting, monitoring voice communication between surface

and underground, external communication through telephone, Mobile phones and email.

2.8.7 The other infrastructure will include Administrative office, Mine Operating Office near

inclines, Lamp room, First aid room cum dispensary, Rescue room, Canteen, Vocational

Training Centre, Garage for vehicles etc.

2.8.8 The surface infrastructure, including colony, will be spread over 15.39 ha area, 4.83 ha

within the proposed lease and 10.56 ha adjoining land outside the lease. A Project Master Plan

shown surface land acquired with infrastructure facilities is placed at Figure 3A.

2.9 Manpower Requirement 2.9.1 The mine will be operated six days on week for three shifts per day. Out of these two

will be production shift while one shift will be for maintenance. The manpower requirement is

estimated under

Sr. No. Category Nos. % of total workers

a) Underground

i) Officers 30 5.2

ii) Supervisory staff 70 12.1

iii) Highly skilled 200 34.7

iv) Skilled 100 17.3

v) Semiskilled 60 10.4

vi) Unskilled 30 5.2

Sub Total 490 84.9

b) Surface

i) Production services 22 3.8

ii) Workshop stores & others 30 5.2

iii) Despatch 25 4.4

iv) Medical 10 1.7

Sub Total 87 15.1

Grand Total 577 100.0

c) The output per Man Shift (OMS) will be 5.15 overall and 6.06 underground.

2.9.2 Colony

The project is located on the outskirts of Shahdol city, where ample housing facilities are

available. However, to ensure availability of key personnel, a colony with 350 houses is

proposed. This will accommodate 90% of officers, supervisory personnel and highly skilled and

skilled manpower. The colony will be located south of mine working over 10.56 ha of land as

show at Figure 3A. Colony will require 240 m3 water per day which will be mine water

appropriately treated.

13

2.10 Mitigation Measures Incorporated

a) The mine is a deep underground mine and hence environmental impacts will be

minimum.

b) The workings are so designed that there will be no perceptible subsidence at

surface. So only 15.39 ha land will be affected.

c) The dust suppression underground is prescribed under Coal Mines Regulations

1957 which will be meticulously implemented.

d) Green belt of sufficient width will be developed separately around mine openings

and surface infrastructure and also of colony.

e) No coal beneficiation or crushing / screening plant is proposed. Coal will be

transported by closed trucks to siding about 2km away from where it will be despatched

by Rail.

2.11 New Untested Technologies

There are no new or untested technologies proposed to be used at this mine. The

management proposes to enter into contract with suppliers of continuous Miners for training of

operators and maintenance staff so that there is no risk of technological failure.

14

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

3.1

Study Area & collection of Baseline Environmental Data

…

15

3.2 Landuse of the Study Area … 16

3.3 Landuse of Core Zone / Proposed Lease area … 17

3.4 Water Regime and Hydrogeology … 17

3.5 Climate … 19

3.6 Ambient Air Quality … 21

3.7 Water Quality … 24

3.8 Noise Levels … 28

3.9 Soil Quality … 28

3.10 Bio Diversity … 29

3.11 Traffic Survey

… 31

3.1 Study Area & Collection of Baseline Environmental Data

3.1.1 The study area of 10km radius, from boundary of the proposed lease, is depicted at Plate

I, Key Plan. The plan has been prepared from Survey of India toposheets on scale 1:50,000.

Figure 6 is study area map on scale 1:2,50,000

3.1.2 The collection of Baseline data in the field, for ambient air quality, water quality, noise

levels, soil quality and traffic survey was started from 10th

December 2010. Prior to starting the

work, a reconnaissance survey of the proposed lease area and buffer zone was undertaken during

last week of November 2010. The survey was carried out, by the EIA co-ordinator, with a view

to locate various monitoring stations. The Air Quality monitoring was carried out for 13

continuous weeks while water samples, soil samples and noise level data was collected during

December 2010.

3.1.3 The hydrogeological study was partly carried out and ground water data was collected

during prospecting operations. The water levels of the wells were monitored during summer and

post monsoon seasons of 2011.

3.1.4 A list of Census villages in core zone and 10km radius buffer zone was prepared from

Administrative Atlas, Census of India 2011 for state of Madhya Pradesh, published by

Directorate of Census Operations of the state. This enabled to draw a complete list of Census

villages, including those not shown on toposheets. CD’s of Census data 2001 were utilized to

tabulate demographic, vocational, land use and amenities data for all the listed villages.

3.1.5 Flora and fauna survey of the area was commissioned during January 2011 field work

was started during May 2011 and completed during August 2011.

3.1.6 A socio-economic study of eight surrounding villages and one ward of Shahdol town was

undertaken for drawing out a detailed project specific schemes for Socio-economic benefits

under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

3.1.7 The status of present environment, described below, is based on critical analysis of all the

above data.

15

3.2 Land Use of the Study Area

3.2.1 There are a total of 78 Census villages and one Urban area – Shahdol, the district place,

within the study area. Out of these 78 villages, 52 villages are part of Sohagpur Tahsil of

Shahdol district and 26 villages are part of Bandhogarh Tahsil of Umaria district. The only

urban area is town Shahdol, the district place.

3.2.2 The total land area of these villages is 34,165 as per 2001 Census. The land area of

villages in Census data includes revenue or village forests as part of village lands. The areas of

Protected and Reserved forests which are not included in census data were measured from Key

Plan at 6956 ha. Thus the total area of buffer zone comes to 41,121 ha.

3.2.3 The land use of buffer zone area, as calculated from Census data 2001 is as under.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Type of land use Area in ha

--------------------------------------------------------------------

a) Forest 8,290

b) Cultivated land (irrigated) 1,819

c) Cultivated land (unirrigated) 18,037

d) Culturable Waste land 2,658

e) Area not available for cultivation 3,361

-------------------------------------------------------

Sub Total 34,165

-------------------------------------------------------

f) Measured Area of Reserved and

Protected Forest 6,956

-------------------------------------------------------

Grand Total 41,121

================================

The village wise break up land for villages in study area / buffer zone, drawn from

Census 2001 data, is given in Annexure VA.

3.2.4 Above data indicates that 48.3% or 19,856 ha land is cultivated, while forests account for

15,246 ha or 37.0% of total land area of buffer zone. The cultarable waste land accounts for

6.4% while land not available for cultivation accounts for balance 8.3%.

3.2.5 Land use map of Study area on scale 1:1,25,000 based on recent satellite image is placed

at Figure 7. This image, when analysed gave following results about type of land. The total

area measured was 40,467ha against 41,121ha as per the Census data. The difference, 654 ha or

1.6% of land area as per census data, is negligible. The land use break up of Census data and

satellite image data is compared below: Sr. No.

2001 Census (ha) Analysis of Satellite image (ha)

i) Forest Revenue, RF & PF 15246 8188*

ii) Agriculture / Cultivated 19856 21169

iii) Waste land 2658 8804

iv) Land not available for cultivation 3361 2306**

Total 41121 40467

* Includes plantation,

** Includes rivers, water bodies and built up area

16

FIGURE 7: LANDUSE/ LANDCOVER OF THE BUFFER ZONE

The large difference in forest land, is due to degraded condition of Revenue forests,

which are accounted for as waste lands.

3.3 Land Use of Core Zone / Proposed lease area

3.3.1 The 500 ha proposed lease area, is spread over lands belonging four villages. The break

of the land area is given below:

Sr. No. Type of land ha

a) Private Agricultural land 319.457

b) Govt. Revenue Non Forest land 69.732

c) Govt. Revenue Forest land 35.061

d) Protected Forest 75.750

Total 500.000

3.3.2 The village wise break up of land in proposed lease area is given at Annexure VB.

3.3.3 Only 15.39 ha land belonging to villages Bicharpur and Singuri will be acquired for

approach to underground workings and surface infrastructure. Out of this land, 4.83 ha. is within

proposed lease and rest is outside. The whole 15.39 ha. land will acquired before start of project.

The mine being underground one and extraction of coal is being planned without surface

subsidence, balance land will remain undisturbed.

3.4 Water Regime and Hydrogeology

3.4.1 Surface Drainage

a) The core zone area has plane topography with gentle slope towards north.

Although elevation of core zone varies from 450mRL to 482 mRL, the major part is

between 450 mRL to 460 mRL. There are hillocks in the South Western part going upto

482 mRL.

b) The buffer zone or study area, the topography is of plane country with hillocks in

the west, SW and South going beyond 500mRL. The study area also gently slopes

toward north.

c) Except Murna nalla, there are no perennial water courses in the area. Even Murna

nalla have very little water flowing in the dry season. The drainage of area is controlled

by Son river which flows outside the buffer zone on east side.

d) A map showing drainage within four km area around the block is placed at

Plate III.

3.4.2 Ground Water -

a) The Shahdol district has poor ground water resources except where Gondwana

formations occur. The tube wells in Gondwana formations ranges from 80m to 300m in

depth with water yields varying from meagre to 10 lps. The ground water is mainly used

for domestic and irrigation purposes.

17

b) The ground water occurs in the inter granular pore spaces of sandstones in semi

consolidated sediments of Gondwana formations. The block has stratified leaky

acquifer system. The acquifer system consists of Sandstones, medium to course grained

with double porosity system. One porosity system is primary porosity of inter granular

void spaces and other being secondary porosity formed due to fractures. The intensity of

fracturing and the resultant increase in ground water potential is fairly pronounced in the

incrop areas of coal seams, than at depth.

c) The ground water recharge of core zone, having an area 5 sq km, was calculated

at 0.64 MCM by rainwater recharge on method and 0.45 MCM by water level fluctuation

method. The ground water levels, with 21 nos. of wells surveyed, were 4.37 m bgl to

9.02 m bgl during pre monsoon and 1.54 m bgl to 6.48 m bgl during post monsoon. The

average water level fluctuation was 3.0 m.

d) The present ground water usage in core zone for domestic irrigation purposes is

0.124 MCM which is expected to increase by 0.046 MCM over next 25 years. The

present ground water development in core zone is 21%, which is in safe zone.

e) The core zone has been calculated to have static reserves of 39 MCM. The

ground water recharge will increase from 0.45 MCM to 0.66 MCM due to increased

percolation because of underground Mining Operations. The annual withdrawal of

water through Mine Pumping is estimated at 1.5 MCM. Thus, there will be additional

withdrawal of 0.84 MCM from core zone every year of life of the underground mine.

During 41 years of life of mine 34.44 MCM will be drawn from static reserves. Thus at

the time of closure of mine the static water balance will be 4.56 MCM, which is positive

balance.

f) Out of 1.50 MCM water pumped by mine only : 0.13 MCM will be utilized by the

mine and colony. Balance 1.37 MCM would be made available to the villages in core

zone.

g) The buffer zone has an area of 405 sq. km., comprising of 81 sq. km. of

metamorphic rocks and 324 sq. km. of Gondwana formation. The gross ground water

recharge by rainfall infiltration method in calculated at 43.65 MCM. The present

ground water draft is 8.59 MCM. The projected requirement over next 25 years is

2.99 MCM. The present ground water usage in buffer zone is 21.86 % which is in safe

zone. This will increase to 11.58 MCM or 29.47 which still will be in safe zone.

h) The ground water recharge in buffer zone is 43.65 MCM as calculated by rainfall

infiltration method and 42 MCM as calculated by water level fluctuation method. The

ground water levels measured for 49 wells varied between 4.75 m bgl to 16.70 m bgl

premonsoon and 0.30 m bgl to 9.90 m bgl during post monsoon.

i) The water balance diagram for buffer zone is placed at Figure 8.

18

Figure 8 – WATER BALANCE DIAGRAME

3.4.3 a) The water pumped out of proposed underground mine has been estimated as

under:

i) During driving of inclines – 160 m3 to 1173 m

3 per day

ii) During sinking of shaft – 340 m3

to 7938 m3 per day

iii) During working of underground 2880 m3

to 5768 m3

per day

iv) Average 3840 m3

per day

b) The radius of Influence during working of mine will vary from 106 m to 678 m

while it will reduce to 476 m after closure of Mining Operations. The model radius of

mine area is 1261 m. Thus for all practical purpose the area influence may not go beyond

the mining lease boundary. The impact beyond the northern (dip side) boundary of the

lease may be restricted to 500 m due to presence of Murna nallah.

3.5 Climate:

3.5.1 i) The climate of the area is marked by warmer day temperatures through out the

year. The maximum daily temperatures at nearest Meteorological Station Umaria, the

adjoining district place exceed 25ºC except during months of December and January.

The day temperatures during the months of May generally exceed 40ºC, while these are

below 40ºC for other summer months. The lowest temperature usually goes below 10ºC

during months of December and January.

ii) The nearest Meteorological Station at Umaria, which was set up in April 1931,

is about 65 km away.

iii) The long-term Climatological data for period 1951 to 1980, has been extracted

from the book ‘Meteorological Table 1951-1980’ published by the Meteorological

Department (IMD). The data including Wind Rose for period after 1980 till 2010 is

obtained on payment.

3.5.2 The data extracted from the above publication is presented in two pages at

Annexure VI A. The salient features of the data are summarised below:

i) The mean daily maximum temperature varied between 24.8ºC to 41.3ºC while

highest temperature of 45.6ºC was recorded on two occasions, on 25 May 1954 and 09

January 1966. The maximum temperature above 40ºC were recorded during months of

April, May and June. November to February are winter months with temperature going

below 10ºC, particularly during December and January. Lowest temperature of 0.0ºC

was recorded on 16th

January 1933.

19

ii) The relative humidity varied between 27% to 88%. The lowest recorded relative

humidity was always 30% and above except during months April and May. Due to large

part of surrounding area being forest, the weather generally was humid.

iii) The average annual rainfall for the 30 year period was 1235.0 mm while average

number of rainy days were 60.2. 89.3% of rainfall occurred during four months period

from June to September each year. Rainfall occurring during months of November to

May was averaged less than 20mm. The maximum rainfall during 24 hour period,

365 mm, occurred on 19th

August 1923.

3.5.3 Data on rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind velocity, wind direction and

weather phenomenon was also collected for period after 1994 for Umaria Meteorological

Station. All these parameters were also recorded during 13 week monitoring of baseline

data from 10.12.2010 to 09.03.2011. Both these are summarised below:

a) Rainfall

i) The average annual rainfall during the eleven year period 1994 to 2005 (excluding

1997), was 1277.11mm. The yearwise rainfall for 12 year period with no. of rainy days

and maximum 24 hrly rainfall is placed at Annexure VI B. This average is about 3.4%

higher that average between 1951 to 1980. The highest rainfall recorded was 1775.7 mm

during 2005 while lowest was 832.6 mm during 1995. 86.7% rainfall was recorded

during four month period from June to September. Monthwise rainfall data is placed at

Annexure VI C.

Some rainfall is recorded almost every month during period 1994-2005 with

rainless months numbering very few.

ii) During the 13 week monitoring period from 10.12.2010 to 10.03.2011, no rainfall

was recorded.

b) Temperature

i) The monthwise maximum – minimum temperature for five year period 2001 to

2005 is placed at Annexure VI D. The maximum temperature recorded varied from

28.2ºC to 45.7ºC. Temperature above 40ºC was recorded during month April, May and

June for all five years. The minimum temperature recorded varied from 0.0ºC to 21.1ºC

Temperature below 10ºC were recorded during months from October to March. The

minimum temperatures recorded were higher during year 2005 than previous four years.

ii) During the 13 week monitoring period from 10.12.2010 to 10.03.2011, the

maximum temperature recorded was always above 19ºC while minimum temperature

recorded was usually below 12ºC during December, January and February. The

maximum temperature recorded was between 19.3ºC to 34.1ºC while minimum

temperature recorded was -0.7ºC to 12.0ºC in December, January and February and

above 10ºC during March. The minimum temperatures recorded were higher than earlier

years.

20

c) Relative Humidity

i) The monthwise mean relative humidity at 08.30 and 17.30 hrs is placed at

Annexure VI E for five years from 2001 to 2005. The mean relative humidity at 08.30

hrs was above 45% for all the months except April and May of each year. The relative

humidity was always lower at 17.30 hrs. The lower relative humidity was recorded

during months of April and May and lowest Figure of 19% was recorded during April

and May 2005.

ii) The relative humidity recorded during the 13 week period varied between 19% to

97%. However humidity below 20% was recorded only once.

d) Wind Velocity and Wind Direction

i) The wind velocity and wind direction data was available for period 1976-1991 for

Umaria Meteorological station. The wind velocity and wind direction was recorded

twice a day, at 8.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs. These are placed at Figure 9 A and Figure 9 B

respectively. The wind rose diagram, prepared from data collected for 24 hrs period,

over 13 weeks from 10.12.2010 to 09.03.2011 is placed at Figure 9 C.

ii) The wind velocities are usually below 5 kmph during the months from October to

January each year. The higher, more than 5 kmph, velocities are recorded a few times

during February and March. The number of time higher velocities are recorded go on

increasing from April and continue till September i.e. during premonsoon and Monsoon.

iii) The calm periods ore very low, below 7% from April to September each year.

They increase to between 12% to 20% from till March. But overall calm periods are

lower.

iv) The predominant wind direction is from West, South and SW from October to

February. It changes, from S, W, SW and NW during months from March to September.

v) During 13 week monitoring period, the wind velocities were below 5kmph for

74.5% of time while Calm periods accounted for 19.5% of time. Only 6.0% of time the

wind velocities were between 06-10 kmph. No wind velocities above 10 kmph was

recorded. The predominant wind direction was from North 14.4% and from East

(10.8%).

3.6 Ambient Air Quality

3.6.1 The generation of ambient air quality data, for study area of Bicharpur Coal Block, was

out sourced to M/s. Nilawar Laboratories, Nagpur. They are in process of obtaining

accreditation for their laboratory.

3.6.2 The monitoring was carried out for one season winter, for 13 continuous weeks beginning

10 December 2010 to 09 March 2011. The parameters monitored for Air Quality were as per

MOEF Gazette notification No. G.S.R. 826(E) dated 16th

November 2009.

21

Calm

N

EW

S

%

1 - 5 11 - 156 - 10 16 - 20

Wind speed in Kmph

19.5 %

N.T.S

6.9%

3.8%14.4%

5.1%

6.9%

4.2%

10.8%

3.9%

6.3%

2.4%

3.1%

1.5%

2.7%

1.8%

3.6%

3.1%

NNWN

NNE

NE

ENE

E

ESE

SE

SSE

SSSW

SW

WSW

W

WNW

NW

Calm

FIGURE – 9C: WIND ROSE DIAGRAM at Site 10 December 2010 to 10 March 2010

3.6.3 Location of Monitoring Stations

i) The core zone and buffer zone area was traversed for nearly five hours on one

day. The core zone area has undulating topography with elevation varying from

450 mRL to 482 mRL. The buffer zone area has midly undulating topography,

slopping from south to north. Some hillocks going upto 482m occur in Southern part of

the block.

ii) There are two Protected Forest areas in Core zone with a few revenue forests.

The Buffer zone has Govt. revenue forests and a number of Reserved and Protected

forest. The forest areas within the lease are degraded.

iii) Hence, Ambient Air Quality stations were selected on the basis of two main

criteria, namely accessibility and area being open. Since the mine will be an underground

mine, six air quality monitoring stations, including one station inside the lease, were

selected.

iv) The location of Air Quality Monitoring Stations is listed at Annexure VII A and

depicted at Figure 10.

v) Meteorological data was monitored during the same 13 week period.

3.6.4 Monitored Parameters

The parameters monitored were Particulate Matter (-)10 µ (PM 10), Particulate Matter

(-) 2.5µ (PM 2.5), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO),

Ozone (O3), Lead (Pb), Ammonia (NH3), Benzene (C6H6), Benzo-a Pyrene (BaP), Arsenic (As)

and Nickel (Ni) as prescribed vide GSR 826(E) dated 16th

November 2009.

3.6.5 Dust fall was recorded at two locations namely Bicharpur village, and Shahdol town near

State Bank of India. The first one was within the lease, while second one was 7.0km north west

of proposed lease area in the buffer zone.

3.6.6 Findings

The ambient air quality data for six stations for 13 continuous weeks is placed at

Annexure VII B/1 to Annexure VII B/6. The data is analysed below:

a) Particulate Matter (–) 10µ (PM10)

The position regarding (-) 10µ Particulate Matter is highly satisfactory at all the

six locations. All the 24 hrly values at four stations namely Bicharpur village (A-1)

which one is in proposed mine lease area, Majhauli village (A-3), Khamariya village (A-

4) and Khurd village (A-6) were below 43µg/m3, Fatehpur village (A-5) is slightly higher

than 44µg/m3. At the remaining one station namely Sohagpur village (A-2) the values is

were below 48.5.0µg/m3. The 24 hrly prescribed limit is 100µg/m

3. The 13 week

average values at five stations A-1, A-3, A-4, A-5 and A-6 were below 39µg/m3 while at

remaining station A2 was below 49µg/m3. This is to be compared with annual average

limit of 60µg/m3. The station A2 was located near the state highway with fairly high

traffic passing through the area, which perhaps explains the higher values. A percentile

analysis of six stations 13 week data is presented below:

22

FIGURE – 10

MAP SHOWING LOCATIONS OF AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS

Percentile / Station A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6

50 40.0 43.9 36.7 35.1 37.0 38.7

95 41.8 47.7 41.0 39.6 43.1 41.4

98 41.9 48.1 41.4 39.9 43.8 42.1

13 week average 39.0 43.6 37.0 35.5 37.8 38.1

Permissible limit of Annual average 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0

24 hrly maximum recorded value 41.9 48.4 41.6 40.1 44.1 42.6

24 hrly permissible limit 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

b) Particulate Matter (-) 2.5 µ (PM 2.5)

The position regarding Particulate Matter (-) 2.5µ is also very satisfactory. 132,

24 hourly values out of total 156, are below 15µg/m3, against 24 hrly limit of 60µg/m

3.

The remaining 24 values do not exceed 18.6µg/m3. Out of these 24 values exceeding

15.0µg/m3, 23 were recorded at one station namely A2, The 13 week average values at

five stations namely A1, A3, A4, A5 and A6 were below 13.0 µg/m3 against annual

average limit of 40µg/m3. A percentile analysis of six stations, 13 week data is presented

below:

Percentile / Station A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 46

50 12.6 17.3 12.3 11.8 12.6 12.8

95 13.6 18.3 13.2 13.0 14.2 14.1

98 13.7 18.5 13.3 13.2 14.8 14.3

13 week average 12.5 17.0 12.3 11.8 12.7 12.8

Permissible limit of Annual average 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0

24 hrly maximum recorded value 13.7 18.6 13.4 13.2 15.2 14.3

24 hrly permissible limit 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 60.0

All these values represent a typical rural area in the country, without much of

polluting sources.

c) Nitrogen Dioxide

The presence of nitrogen dioxides at all six station was found to be below

12.5µg/m3. In fact at five stations A1, A3, A4, A5 and A6 all the observed values were

below 10µg/m3 and at remaining one station A2 is slightly higher than 10µg/m

3, which is

12.4µg/m3. The 24 hrly limit being 80µg/m

3. These are not at all significant. The 13

week average values are at all the six stations was below 10.2µg/m3, against annual

average limit of 40µg/m3.

The percentile analysis of this data will serve no purpose, for such low values.

The only known sources of oxides of nitrogen in the area is vehicle traffic on the roads.

23

d) Sulphur Dioxide

The levels of Sulphur Dioxides are also very low. Only two, 24 hrly

observations, out of 156, exceed 10µg/m3, against 24 hrly limit of 80µg/m

3. The 13 week

average values, for all six locations are below 10.2µg/m3, against annual average limit of

50µg/m3.

The percentile analysis of this data, will serve no purpose because of such low

values.

e) Carbon Monoxide

The carbon monoxide was found only in traces at two stations namely A2 and A5,

all of which are located near roads with fairly heavy traffic. No carbon monoxide was

detected at other four stations. These values were less than 0.2 mg/m3 against permissible

limit of annual average being 2.0 mg/m3.

f) Ozone, Ammonia, Benzene & Benzo (a) Pyrene

A few representative samples from these six stations were analysed, but none of

these gases or compounds were found. Thus they were either absent or below detectable

limit for each and every sample.

g) Toxic Metals – Mercury, Lead, Nickel & Arsenic

Representative samples from all six stations were collected and tested for above

toxic metals. These were found to be either absent on below detectable level for each and

every sample.

3.6.7 Overall ambient air quality is good and confirming to a rural area where there are no

polluting sources except vehicular traffic on roads.

3.6.8 Dust fall

The monitoring for dustfall was carried out at two locations namely Bicharpur village (A-

1) and Shahdol City (near State Bank of India). The latter was located near a state highway

passing through the city. The dust fall was recorded for continuous one month. The values

recorded were 5.2 tonnes / km2 / month and 14.8 tonnes / km

2 / month. The latter value is more

due to location near hlighway.

The recorded dustfall rates are nearer the lower values reported in literature for India

5–1350 tonne / km2 / month, reported by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute

(NEERI). (Ref – Air Quality Monitoring – A Course Manual – 1982 – NEERI)

3.7 Water Quality

3.7.1 a) The Water Quality was also investigated by M/s. Nilawar Laboratories, Nagpur.

They are in process of getting accreditation / approval of the laboratory from MOEF.

b) The water quality data was generated during winter. The water samples were

collected during the month of December 2010, from all sources.

24

c) Annexure VIII A, give descriptive listing of Water Quality Monitoring Stations,

while Figure 11 show the locations on plan.

3.7.2 a) The monitoring locations were selected with a view to study both surface and

ground water bodies of the proposed lease area and 10 km radius surrounding buffer

zone. There are a number of seasonal water courses in the area but no perennial

nallas.

b) Six surface and four ground water stations were selected so as to be representative

of the surface as well as ground water sources.

c) Three grab samples of each of surface water sources were collected on three

different days and a composite sample prepared for analysis. For ground water sources

grab sample were collected on a single day.

d) For each sources three sets of samples were collected in polythene carboys, one of

which was acidified for metal analysis. Separate samples were collected in sterilized

glass bottles for bacteriological analysis.

e) The samples were analysed following standard methods of analysis prescribed

under relevant Indian Standards for Analysis of Water and Waste Water.

f) The result of analysis are presented in Annexure VIII B/1 and Annexure

VIII B/2 for surface and ground water respectively.

3.7.3 The result of analysis are compared with limits of various parameters prescribed under IS

10500 of 1991 (Drink Water Standard) or IS 2490 of 1982 (Industrial Effluent Discharge) which

ever is relevant. The results obtained are commented below.

a) Orgonoleptic Parameters

i) Temperature – The temperature of surface water samples varied from 20ºC to

26ºC while those of ground water noted to be 27ºC. There are no thermal sources in the

area. Hence, the temperatures are not very relevant.

ii) Colour, Taste and Odour – The odour of all the 10 water samples was

unobjectionable and taste was agreeable. The six surface and all four ground water

samples were colourless.

iii) Turbidity – All six surface water samples the turbidity was between 1.5 – 2.0

NTU and all ground water samples the turbidity was 2.5 NTU or below. All these values

of six surface water & four ground water samples are less than desirable level of 5 NTU,

as per drinking water standard.

25

b) Chemical Parameters

i) The pH values of six surface water samples varied between 7.82 to 8.25 while,

those for four ground water samples varied between 7.32 to 7.64. All these values are

within desirable range of 6.5 to 8.5 as per drinking water standard. The marginally

higher values of pH for surface waters is due to, perhaps, algal growth. All waters are

alkaline.

ii) Dissolved Oxygen

Dissolved Oxygen is main indicator of suitability of water body for survival of

acquatic life. The six surface water samples had dissolved oxygen in the range of 6.1

mg/l to 6.7 mg/l which shows that the conditions are healthy. The four ground water

sources had two ranges of dissolved oxygen. The two dugwells had values of 4.6 / 4.7

mg/l while two hand pump / tube wells had values of 1.7 / 1.9 mg/l. The lower values for

hand pump / tube well water is expected as the water is not in contact with atmosphere.

iii) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

The values for Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) were below 7 mg/l for all six

surface water samples. These values indicate low organic pollution of surface waters.

On the other hand BOD values for four ground water samples were below 3.0 mg/l which

indicated that ground water had very low organic pollution load.

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) values of six surface water samples were

between 18.5 mg/l to 33.9 mg/l. These indicate pollution load with some oxidisable

matter. The COD values for tube well water samples were below 6.5 mg/l which

indicated that there was negligible oxidizable matter. The COD values for open dug

wells were between 12.3 mg/l & 15.4 mg/l, indicating some oxidizable matter in these

waters.

iv) Dissolved Solids (DS)

The dissolved solids in the surface water were in the range of 138 mg/l to 349

mg/l. These values were below desirable level of 500 mg/l as per drinking water

standard. On the other hand all four ground water samples also had dissolved solid,

below the desirable level, in the range of 121 mg/l to 272 mg/l, which is nearly half of the

desirable limit. The values of ground water samples are slightly lower than surface water

samples, which is unusual.

v) Suspended Solids (SS)

The suspended solids in six surface water samples were below 6 mg/l and all four

ground water samples were below 3 mg/l. These values are very low.

vi) Total Hardness

The total hardness values for all six surface water samples ranged from 58.8 mg/l

to 254.8 mg/l, and all four ground water samples had hardness ranged from 70.6 mg/l to

219.5 mg/l which is well below desirable level of 300 mg/l as per Drinking Water

Standard.

26

vii) Chlorides, Sulphates and Nitrates

All six surface water samples and four ground water samples had Chloride levels

well below the desirable level of 250 mg/l. Similarly Sulphate levels in all ten samples

were below 25 mg/l against desirable level of 200 mg/l.

The nitrate were very low in all six surface water samples being less than 2.5

mg/l. The nitrate levels in the ground water samples were slightly higher, going upto 20

mg/l in one case. All these values are much lower than desirable limit of 45 mg/l as per

Drinking Water Standard.

viii) Other Parameters

All the surface and ground water samples were free from Oil & Grease, Phenolic

Compounds, N-Hexane Extracts and pesticides and Cyanide.

c) Health Related Parameters

i) Fluorides

Fluorides were negligible in all six surface water samples, being less than 0.05

mg/l against desirable limit of 1.0 mg/l. In all four ground water samples the fluorides

were below 0.42 mg/l, less than half of desirable level of 1.0 mg/l. Hence none of the

water samples present any health hazard, due to fluorides.

ii) Iron

Four surface water samples had total ‘Fe' content less than desirable level of 0.3

mg/l. Two surface water and four ground water samples had ‘Fe’ content higher than

desirable level but much lower than permissible level.

iii) Heavy Metal

Since all waters were alkaline, heavy metals like Copper, Zinc, Manganese etc.

can occur as soluble hydroxides. In present case, all six surface water samples and four

ground water samples, these were either below detectable levels or far below

desirable levels prescribed by drinking water standards.

iv) Aluminium & Borron

Six surface water samples and four ground water samples, showed presence of

aluminium below desirable limit while Boron also was present below desirable limit.

v) Toxic Heavy Metals

Toxic Heavy Metals like Mercury, Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium and

Selenium were always far below desirable levels prescribed for drinking water standards.

Pesticides were absent in all ten samples.

vi) Coliforms

All the six surface water samples had fairly high coliform contents ranging from

120-390 MPN/100ml. These waters should not be used for drinking purposes without

appropriate treatment. Out of four ground water samples, two from tube wells did not

show any presence of coliforms while the open dugwell waters had very low presence of

coliforms ranging from 2-3 MPN/100ml.

27

3.7.4 Overall, all the water samples, were not polluted and were more like unpolluted water

samples of rural area. Like any rural area in the country, the only pollutant present is coliforms in

all surface water sources and two dugwell waters. Waters with presence of coliforms should be

used for drinking, only after suitable treatment.

3.8 Noise Levels

3.8.1 The noise is often defined as unwanted sound. The present area, although has rural

setting has a fairly large town on the north side of proposed lease area.

3.8.2 The noise levels were monitored at six locations in the core and the buffer zone at one

hourly interval for continuous 24 hrs. The locations of the stations are listed below and shown at

Figure 12.

Sr. No.

Location of Monitoring Station

Station code

Distance from proposed mine lease boundary

(km) Direction Zone

1 Bicharpur village N-1 Within - Core

2 Near Sohagpur village N-2 3.0 N Buffer

3 Mahauli village N-3 2.5 S Buffer

4 Chhota Khamaria village N-4 4.0 NW Buffer

5 Fatehpur Village N-5 2.0 E Buffer

6 Chotta Bandhwa Khurd village

N-6 2.0 NE Buffer

3.8.3 At each of the locations the noise levels were monitored with measuring instrument at

setting ‘A’, slow mode, and ten observations were recorded at one minute interval at each

recording hour. The average hourly recorded noise level is given at Annexure IX.

3.8.4 It may be noted that noise levels recorded were below 50dB (A) at three out of six

stations. Remaining three stations at Chhota Khamaria village (N-4), Fatehpur village (N-5),

and Chotta Bandhwa Khurd village (N-6) day time observations recorded were above 50dB(A).

The night time noise levels recorded were usually below 53.2 dB(A). Out of total 48

observations between 11.0 pm and 6.00 am, only two observations were beyond 55 dB (A) the

prescribed night time limit for commercial areas.

3.9 Soil Quality

3.9.1 Soil samples were collected from three sampling locations / sites described below. The

locations were selected so as to assess the condition of existing soils in the proposed lease area

and surrounding buffer zone. Since this will be an underground mine only about 05 ha of land

will be disturbed / utilized for surface infrastructure and 10 ha. land for colony outside lease.

3.9.2 The location of the three sampling sites is described in the table below and shown in

Figure 13.

S.

No. Sampling

station code Description of

location Distance from proposed

lease area (km) Direction Zone

Type of land

1 S-1 Bicharpur village Within - Core Agricultural

2 S-2 Bicharpur village Within - Core Barren

3 S-3 Majhauli village 2.5 km S Buffer Agricultural

28

3.9.3 The samples were collected during second week of December. Three samples were

collected at each location from three different depths namely 0-30 cms, 30-60 cms and 60-

90cms. The result of analysis are placed at Annexure X for each of the above three locations,

separately.

3.9.4 A critical examination of results brings out the following:

i) The samples from Agricultural land were Grayish (S-1), and Brown (S-3) in

colour and Loamy Sand in textural classification. The percentage of gravel varied from

nil to 1.7 %. The sample from barren land was Yellowish in colour and had no gravel,

and categorised a Loamy Sand.

ii) The agricultural land soil had 12% to 37% clay. But clay content of barren land /

soil was less than 12%

iii) The agricultural soil was natural moisture content in 4.7% to 19.3%, which is

lower to medium moisture. While that of barren land sample have low moisture content

at 4.6% to 5.5%, which is low.

iv) The bulk density of soils varied from 1.09 gm/cc to 1.23 gm/cc, not a very wide

variation.

v) The Water Holding Capacity of agricultural soil, S1 was very high as compared to

samples at S2 & S3. In case of latter two all the samples had water holding capacity

exceeding 20%.

vi) The pH of samples of soils S1 & S3 varied from 6.38 to 6.87 indicating that soils

are alkaline. But barren land soil, sample the pH between 5.96 to 6.14 indicating neutral

to low alkalinity.

vii) The available organic matter in the samples from agricultural soils was medium to

high, between 0.40% to 0.84%. The same in the barren land was lower 0.36% to 0.56%.

viii) The available Nitrogen was low in all nine samples from three locations.

ix) The available phosphorous in six samples was very much higher at above 100

kg/ha, in case of agricultural soil and above 35.0 kg/ha in case of barren soil.

x) The available potassium (k) content of agricultural land soil S1 was higher

beyond 150 kg/ha but was slightly lower in other two samples.

xi) Overall both the agricultural soil had medium fertility, while the barren land

had also slightly lower fertility which could be improved.

3.10 Bio-Diversity

3.10.1 The proposed lease area has 35.061 ha Revenue Forest and 75.750 ha of Protected forest.

Nearly 63% of area, around 319 ha, is cultivated and about 70 ha, around 14 % , is Govt. Waste

land. Not only, all the available land is cultivated, but one of the protected forest compartments

has mango tree plantation. The other Protected Forest Compartment is degraded due to being

open for cattle grazing.

29

3.10.2 The buffer zone area have several Reserved Forests and a few Protected Forests. These

forest are concentrated in West, South and SW and are spread over area of nearly 7000 ha. The

village or Revenue forests account of 8290 ha of buffer zone area.

3.10.3 There are no National Parks, Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves Migratory Corridors or eco

sensitive area within 50km of boundary of proposed lease area.

3.10.4 A flora – fauna survey of the core zone and 10km radius buffer zone was undertaken by

Dr. M. L. Naik, who is accredited as functional area expert for EB by Quality Council of India

(NABET) for Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd., an accredited EIA consultant orgnisation.

3.10.5 The field studies were carried out during summer of 2011 and monsoon season of the

same year. The core zone and buffer zone have been separately surveyed and flora and fauna of

both have been listed separately.

3.10.6 Flora

a) Core zone

i) As stated above in para 3.10.1 both the Protected and Revenue Forests in the area

are highly degraded.

ii) Even then the both forests were studied by quadrant method. Along with two

Protected Forest compartments four patches of Revenue forest, were studied as well. All

these have very low variety of tree species. These are listed with phytosociological

studies carried out at Annexure XI A/1

iii) The crops cultivated include Maize, Til, Rice and Ground Nut. Most of the

cultivated lands in core zone, are rainfed. The field bunds, particularly of low lying

fields, were found to have growth of herbaceous species. There are listed at Annexure

XI A/2

b) Buffer zone

Most of the forests in the area are highly degraded due to cattle grazing and illegal

cutting of wood. The trees are mostly pole size, of Sal (Shorea nobusta), grown up as

coppice from those cut earlier. A few trees of Tendu (Diospyras melanoxylon) are also

found, in protected and Reserved forest areas. Revenue or village forests have good

number of large Mahua (Madhuca Latifolia) trees. There are never cut by villagers and

have grown large. Tendu bushes (Diospyros melanoxylon) are also seen. The other

species are Babool (Acacia Nilotica), Palas (Butea monosperma), Arjun (TErminalin

arjunia) Sharberi (Zyziphus mummularia) etc. The bunds of cultivated lands also support

growth of some herbaceous species like grasses, legumes, herbs, weeds. These are listed

at Annexure XI A/3.

There are extensive plantations of Eucatyptus in buffer zone. It appears to be

Monoculture farm forestry. They are also planted on road side in large numbers.

3.10.7 Fauna

a) Core Zone

The entire proposed lease area is highly disturbed. A major part is cultivated,

while forests are highly degraded. Hence whole of the area have very poor wild life.

Some of the animals observed or reported by villagers are listed at Annexure XI B/1.

The list includes a good variety of birds, spiders and insects.

30

b) Buffer Zone

i) Buffer zone has better variety of wild life as there are no industries. A list of

fauna species is buffer zone is placed at Annexure XI B/2. Most of the species are

commonly found in Central India and belong to schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection)

Act 1972.

ii) There are only three or four species of schedules I to III with only one schedule I

specie, Peafowl or Peacock.

iii) A variety of Amphibians and fishes are found around Murna nalla. When

summer comes and there is very little water, fishes start to die. Even dogs were seen

eating them. List of fishes is also provides in Annexure XI B/2. List of Spiders

Nollusea insects and Butter flies is placed at Annexure XI B/1.

3.11 Traffic Survey

3.11.1 Any industrial activity generally results in higher movement of vehicles on the road.

There are two major roads in the area one goes from Katni to Anuppur, which is a National

Highway while another one is a State Highway which is just outside the proposed mining lease.

3.11.2 The traffic survey was carried out at these two locations for a period of 24 hours. The

results are given below.

Katni – Anuppur Type of vehicles Katni to Anuppur Anuppur to Katni Total

Two wheelers 345 308 653

Three wheelers 127 115 242

Four wheelers (Jeeps / Cars) 315 217 532

Six wheelers (Trucks / Busses) 49 46 95

Heavy trucks / trailer 113 104 217

Tractors 24 18 42

Total Traffic on Katni to Anuppur road 1781

Shahdol-Sohagpur Type of vehicles Shahdol to Sohagpur Sohagpur to Shahdol Total

Two wheelers 114 121 235

Three wheelers 32 26 58

Four wheelers (Jeeps / Cars) 28 29 57

Six wheelers (Trucks / Busses) 5 4 9

Heavy trucks / trailer 4 3 7

Tractors 14 13 27

Total Traffic on Shahdol to Sohagpur road 393

3.11.3 As expected National Highway has much higher – nearly 4 ½ times the traffic than on the

other roads. As it is seen, on the National Highway half of the traffic is of two wheelers and

three wheelers while in case of the other road nearly 75% traffic is accounted by two wheelers

and three wheelers.

3.11.4 Since approach road to proposed Bicharpur mining lease, and the project, is going to

despatch coal by rail, the increasing traffic may not affect the overall traffic on the road.

31

4.0 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

AND MITIGATION MEASURES

4.1

General

…

32

4.2 Land … 32

4.3 Ambient Air Quality … 33

4.4 Impact on Water Regime … 33

4.5 Water Quality - Impact and amelioration … 33

4.6 Noise … 34

4.7 Blasting Vibrations … 34

4.8 Impact on Soil Quality and Ameliorative Measures … 35

4.9 Biodiversity – Impact and Amelioration … 35

4.10 Impact of Transportation … 35

4.11 Disaster Management Plan … 35

4.1 General

4.1.1 The mine is being planned as large underground mechanised mine with production

capacity of 0.75 mtpa. The mine will have life of 41 years. The mining will start at a depth of

120m and maximum depth will be 270m. Only 4.83ha of land within the proposed lease area is

being acquired for entries to the mine, surface infrastructure etc. Another 10.56 ha adjacent land,

outside lease, will be acquired for colony etc.

4.1.2 The mine workings are so planned that there will no surface subsidence. Hence neither

remaining 495.17 ha of land area nor its surface features will be affected. The surface drainage

will remain unaffected. The ground water will be somewhat affected.

4.1.3 The coal will be brought out to surface through inclines by conveyor. There will be a

200 tonnes overhead bunker to store coal, which will be transported to siding, nearly two km

away, by road. Neither any crusher nor any beneficiation plant is proposed.

4.1.4 Thus impact on various environmental parameters will be minimal. These impacts along

with ameliorative measures are discussed below under nine separate headings.

4.2 Land

4.2.1 The area of the proposed lease is fairly large at 500ha. Only 4.83 ha land within and

10.56 out side will be utilized for surface infrastructure, colony etc. The remaining land will be

totally unaffected. Thus, there will no need to acquire balance land as there will no subsidence

on the surface. The balance area can be continued to be possession of the owners who can utilize

it as they wish.

4.2.2 Thus, at the time of closure of mining operations only about 15.39 ha land will have to be

reclaimed. Nearly 10.0 ha land will be occupied by the colony. The colony will not be removed

after the closure of the mine, because it is expected that, with the urbanization of surrounding

area, the colony may have ready market.

4.2.3 Except the areas occupied by inclined drifts and a ventilation shafts, remaining area can

be reclaimed for plantation etc. 32

4.3 Ambient Air Quality

4.3.1 The ambient air quality will be somewhat affected, due to surface handling of coal

produced, as well as road transport and handling of coal at railway siding. The transport of coal

from the incline top bunker to railway siding is likely to raise dust and affect air quality.

4.3.2 The dust raised will affect the quality of air and will have to be treated at point of dust

generation to reduce dispersion. The values of Particulate Matters (PM10) will remain within

prescribed annual average limit of 60 µg/m3 after mitigative measures outlined in para 4.3.3

below are rigorously followed.

4.3.3 Mitigative Measures

The main method of dust suppression will be spraying of water. All the roads will be sprayed

with water at frequent interval so that dust generated by movement of vehicles is sufficiently

wetted, so that it is not dispersed by movement of vehicles.

4.3.4 All the overhead transfer points will be covered and equipped with State of Art, Water

sprays. All conveyors will be covered.

4.3.5 A green belt atleast, 8.0 m in depth, will be created all along boundary of the surface

infrastructure area so that any dispersed dust will be arrested.

4.3.6 This being an underground mine Air quality modelling is not required.

4.4 Impact on Water Regime 4.4.1 The mine is an underground mine, with depth varying from 120m to 270m. It is planned

to extract the Coal seams so that there is no surface subsidence. Thus there will be no impact on

surface topography due to extraction of coal.

4.4.2 Since, there will not be any impact of mine working on surface, the surface drainage will

not be affected. The area proposed to be acquired does not have even seasonal nallas.

4.4.3 Due to mining in the 5 sq km block area or core zone there will be reduction of 0.1 MCM

of water flowing in the seasonal nallas due to increased percolation. This will increase to

4 MCM for micro basin of the core zone having area of 90 sq. km.

4.4.4 This increased percolation will infact be water harvesting due to mining operation.

4.4.5 There will be a reduction in static water resources of core zone due pumping from mine.

However, pumped out water to the extent of 1.37 MCM will be made available to the villages in

the core zone area.

4.4.6 Water requirement of Mine is provided at Annexure XII A.

4.5 Water Quality - Impact and amelioration 4.5.1 There will not be any appreciable impact on quality of water in study area / buffer zone.

This is because, only pollutant likely to affect water quality is suspended particles in the water

pumped from the mine. The premining quality of water from six surface and four ground waters

is within desirable limit of drinking water standard IS-10500 of 1991, except coliforms for

surface waters.

33

4.5.2 All the water pumped from the mine will be first sent to settling ponds of adequate

capacity, where almost all suspended solids will be arrested and removed. The quality of water

being released will be checked regularly.

4.5.3 The underground sumps, where mine water will be collected for pumping to surface, will

have adequate capacity to allow settlement of maximum possible suspended solids, in the

underground sumps.

4.5.4 Water being discharged to surface water courses will be analysed regularly to check the

suspended solids and less frequently for any toxic substances. Although there are no toxic

minerals in strata of the coal seams, the analysis will ensure that the situation has remained

unaltered.

4.5.5 The effluents from toilets in office, workshop etc will be treated in septic tanks before

discharging water to the ground. The colony will have a proper sewage treatment plant to handle

the sewerage. The workshop effluent will be treated to remove oil and grease etc.

4.5.6 Thus, there will no impact on quality of ground water and surface waters.

4.6 Noise 4.6.1 As described in para 3.8 above, the existing noise levels in the area are low at three out of

the six stations monitored. At these three stations the noise levels were below 50dB(A). The

remaining three stations, are located near highways with heavy traffic. Even then at these

stations the measured noise levels has not exceeded 60 dB (A).

4.6.2 These noise levels will not be affected by starting of the mine because the mine is an

underground operation and that to beyond a depth of 130 m. The area proposed to be acquired

for surface infrastructure etc currently has noise level below 50 dB (A). The nearest villages,

Senduri and Bicharpur are about one km away.

4.6.3 The noise levels in the area are likely to increase, albeit marginally because of handling

of coal as well as movement of coal to railway siding for dispatch. Even then these levels are

unlikely to increase beyond 75 dB (A), at boundary of acquired area.

4.6.4 The main ameliorative measures will be creation of a green belt, at least six m wide, all

around the periphery of the 15.39 ha area used for surface infrastructure etc.

4.6.5 Regular maintenance of all machinery used on surface will be ensured, to control noise

produced.

4.6.6 Last but not the least, persons working in areas, with higher noise levels if any, will be

provided with ear protection devices.

4.7 Blasting Vibrations

Except in exceptional circumstances no blasting will be carried out at this mine as coal

will be extracted by continuous miners.

34

4.8 Impact on Soil Quality and Ameliorative Measures

4.8.1 The direct impact on soil quality will be restricted to about 15.39 ha of land being

acquired, all of which is agricultural land. The soils have medium fertility.

4.8.2 The soil removed for construction of infrastructure will be utilized for plantation of green

belt. No soil will be stored.

4.8.3 The likely damage to soil of buffer zone due to spreading of coal dust is another likely

impact. The coal stock and coal handling plant will have state of arts dust suppression devices

while coal will be transported to the railway siding by totally enclosed dumpers.

4.8.4 Thus impact on soil quality of surrounding area will be negligible.

4.9 Bio Diversity – Impact and Amelioration

4.9.1 The proposed block area has about 110 ha highly degraded forest land both Protected and

Revenue. No forest land has been included in 15.39 ha land proposed to be acquired for surface

infrastructure, mine entries etc.

4.9.2 Out of this acquired land, 1.6 ha will be used for creation of green belt around the area.

This will improve the surroundings as well as arrest dust and noise. Only local species will be

planted.

4.9.3 The balance about 495 ha land of proposed lease area will neither be disturbed nor

acquired. The underground mine is be designed in such a way that there will be no surface

subsidence or any other disturbance of the area, in major part of lease except small patch of 6 ha.

4.9.4 On the other hand the management proposes to help surrounding villages to improve

environment through plantations. The management also will procure and distribute samplings /

seeds of economically valuable trees including fruit trees.

4.9.5 A conservation plan for Schedule 1 specie – Peacock is placed at Annexure XII B.

4.10 Impact of Transportation

Since it is an underground mine, only impact of transportation will be surface transport of

coal to railway siding for dispatch, over a distance of two km. For amelioration the

transportation will be done by closed dumpers. Efforts will be made to have railway siding at pit

top so that transport is avoided.

4.11 Disaster Management Plan

A disaster management plan will be prepared before commencement of mining

operations. A proposed plan is placed at Annexure XIII.

35

5.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES (Technology and site)

5.1 For a mining project, site is determined by occurrence of mineral or all mining projects

are ‘Site Specific’. The Coal block has been allotted by the Ministry of Coal. Hence, no

alternative site is considered or possible.

5.2 Only proven technologies used in underground mines are proposed to be used. The

management proposes to enter into agreement with the suppliers, for commissioning the

Continuous Miners and training of its personnel. Thus, there is virtually no chance of

technological failure.

36

6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME

6.1

Proposed Environmental Monitoring Programme

…

37

6.2 Environmental Budget … 38

6.3 Mine Closure Plan and Conceptual Post Mining Landuse … 39

6.4 Green Belt Development … 39

6.1 Proposed Environmental Monitoring Programme

a. Although mine lease is large at 5.00 sq km or 500 ha, it is an underground mine. Hence,

except about 15.39 ha acquired for surface infrastructure including colony and mine entries,

there will not be much environmental impact on the balance 4.90 sq km area. The monitoring

programme proposed below is based also on consideration, that only two villages are just over

one km from proposed mine entries.

i) Quarterly monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5 at three stations, for eight hours, one on

down wind side boundary, of 15.39 ha acquired land, one near the nearest village Bicharpur in

the north and one at the Railway siding will be carried out. Full 24 hr monitoring for all

12 parameters will be carried out, only if the air pollution approaches prescribed limits

ii) The water overflowing from settling tanks will be analysed for pH, suspended

solids, total dissolved solids and alkalinity once a month. The full analysis of water samples

overflowing from settling tanks will be done half yearly.

iii) Monthly monitoring of noise levels at predetermined stations numbering 4 to 6,

within 15.39 ha acquired land area and surrounding villages about one km from mine entries and

also at railway siding would be measured.

iv) Surface subsidence will be monitored as stipulated by the DGMS

b. The collection and analysis of samples, except monitoring of noise levels, will be

outsourced.

c. This being an underground mine, a full time safety officer with First Class Mines

Managers certificate of competency, under The Mines Act 1952, will have to be appointed. He

will also be given additional charge of Environment. He directly reports to the Mines Manger.

d. The environmental officer, will be directly responsible to ensure that monitoring as

proposed above, as well as any additional analysis prescribed by MOEF / State Pollution Control

Board is carried out.

e. He will be also responsible for maintenance of record of analysis, preferably in a bound

paged note-book / register. He will analyse the data regularly and propose any corrective

measures, if required.

37

f. He will be responsible to implement environmental measures proposed in this EIA/EMP

document as well as those imposed while granting environmental clearance as well as consent to

establish / operate.

g. He will be responsible to renew consent to operate under Water Prevention & Control of

Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. He will also be

responsible to obtain permission under Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules

1989 for disposal of spent oil, used filters and any other substances falling under per view of the

said Rules. He will also ensure timely renewal of such permissions.

h. The measures like, spraying of Water for dust suppression underground, will be

responsibility of respective line managers. The dust suppression measures proposed at Surface

Coal Bunker and Siding will be directly under charge of environmental officer who will monitor

quantities of Water used, regularly.

i) He will ensure that settled silt, on floor of settling tanks on surface, is

cleaned regularly, particularly before and after monsoon.

ii) The Environmental officer will regularly inspect green belt surrounding

acquired areas. He will replant any trees that are not showing proper growth.

6.2 Environmental Budget

6.2.1 The budget given below gives capital cost of installations, construction of garland drains,

plantation and equipment for water spraying at surface. The operational and maintenance costs

for the same are also included. However, the cost of piping for water spraying underground,

monitoring of quantity and quality of air underground, are not included. These measures are

statutorily mandated under Coal Mines Regulations 1957 and hence capital and revenue cost for

the same is not included.

6.2.3 Thus the cost relate to mainly expenditure on surface installations, plantations etc. These

cost amount to Rs. 10.50 per tonne of annual output of coal for Capital Costs and Rs. 1.66 per

tone of annual out put for revenue cost.

(Fig in Rs lakhs) Sr. No.

Item of Cost Head Capital cost

Revenue cost per annum

1 Construction of water tank of surface for storage of water for dust suppression and underground pipe line.

40 2.0

2 Cost of construction of garland drains around 15.39 ha acquire land

10 0.50

3 Cost of plantation & Green Belt around 15.39 ha acquired land. 02 0.50

4 Cost of Environmental Monitoring 02

4.00

5 Cost of water spraying at Surface bunker and Railway sides. 25 5.00

Total :- 79 12.50

38

6.3 Mine Closure Plan and Conceptual Post Mining Landuse

6.3.1 The life of the mine is 41 years including development. The top most seam, No. IV seam

will be developed first and left standing on pillars. It will be then isolated by sealing the entries

from two inclines as well as from main return roadway.

6.3.2 The seams III A and II will worked next by Non Effective Width (NEW) method one

after another. The seam III A will be fully extracted and isolated after which seam II will be

taken up.

6.3.3 During the 41 years life of the mine, except 4.83ha of land within the proposed lease area

would continue to be available to their respective owners for carrying out agriculture or any

other activities. The mining activity underground is so designed that there will be no perceptible

surface subsidence. Subsidence will be monitored throughout life of the mine as stipulated by

DGMS.

6.3.4 At the end of Mine about 10 ha of land outside lease will have colony, office store

workshop and other facilities. About 5ha of land, including 4.83 ha within lease, will be

reclaimed, by removing surface infrastructure, after sealing of the two incline and the shaft.

6.3.5 All the equipment will be brought out of the mines before sealing and either sent to other

mines of the company or disposed off. The infrastructure like store, workshop, canteen and

office will be handed over to the State Govt. authorities. Colony may have market as by the time

the Shahdol town may be near to it.

6.3.6 The conceptual post mining land use for about 5ha of land will be afforestation while

colony and infrastructure area will be handed over for local community for use. The houses in

colony may be sold, if buyers are available.

6.4 Green Belt Development 6.4.1 Since the company will be acquiring surface rights only ore 15.39 ha area, the green belt

development is planned over that area only. The whole area will be surrounded by 6m to 8m

wide plantation as shown at Figure 3A, the Project Master Plan.

6.4.2 The total area planted will be 1.7ha and no. of sapling planted will be about 4000. The

plantation will be started from 2nd

year and completed by end of 4th

year. 1500 sapling will be

planted during each of first two years and balance during 3rd

year.

6.4.3 The trees to be planted are to be chosen carefully so that both dust and noise are arrested.

A suggested list for plantation in the green belt is placed at Annexure XIV. The list includes

only local flora species as found in the area during the biodiversity study, coupled with list of

species suggested in the book ‘Guidelines for Developing Green Belts’ published by the Central

Pollution Control Board.

39

7.0 ADDITIONAL STUDIES

7.1 Public Consultation … 40

7.2 Occupational Health Issues … 41

7.3 Risk Assessment … 42

7.4 Social Impact Assessment … 42

7.5 Proposals under Corporate Social Responsibility … 44

7.6 Baseline Health Data … 46

7.1 Public Consultation –

7.1.1 Lok Sunwai, the Public Hearing was notified in two newspapers on 19 November 2011.

The two newspapers were ‘Dainik Bhaskar’ in Hindi published from Shahdol and ‘The Times of

India’, a national daily in English, in its Jabalpur edition.

In addition the event was published through banners as well as loud speaker mounted on

vehicles, in surrounding villages between 20th

and 22nd

December 2011.

7.1.2 The Public Hearing was held on 23 December 2011, at Grounds of Primary School at /

near Bicharpur villages.

7.1.3 The Collector and the District Magistrate, Shahdol, Shri Neeraj Dubey, Presided over the

meeting. Shri Manoj Kumar Mandrai, Regional Officer, Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control

Board was present. Besides them about fifteen officials of the State Govt. and Pollution Control

Board were present. In addition, about eight officials of the Madhya Pradesh State Mining

Corporation and their associates were present.

7.1.4 A total at 86 persons from surrounding villages at Bicharpur, Sinduri, Pachgaon,

Khamariya, Kalyanpur, Budhi, Parnia and Shahdol town including ward no. 29 attended the

Public Hearing.

7.1.5 The proceedings of Public Hearing are attached at Annexure XVA.

7.1.6 The issues raised at the Public Hearing were mainly related to environment. The main

issue raised was nearness of the project to the rapidly expanding Shahdol town which has

recently been declared commissionarate. The block extending below a part, Ward No. 29, of

the town was pointed out. The other issues raised included impact of blasting particularly on an

old temple, pollution due to transport of coal on roads, impact on ground water levels with fear

of drying of ground water sources, drying up of Murna nalla flowing out from northern end of

the property. Some people also pointed out that there is already heavy traffic in and around

Shahadol which will increase due to transport of coal.

7.1.7 It was suggested that the entry and surface installations of the mine should as far away as

possible from Bicharpur Village as well as Shahdol town.

40

7.1.8 A summary of main issues raised at the Public Hearing and responses of the

management, as recorded at Annexure ‘A’ of the Proceedings of Public Hearing are summarized

below :

Sr. No.

Issues raised by the Public Response / Commitment of Project Proponent

1. Ground Water level will be reduced in the area

There will be no reduction in Ground Water levels as mine depth varies from 120 m (400 ft) to over 168 m (550 ft)

2. Location of Siding has not been specified

The railway siding will be brought near the mine opening

3. Very near to Shahdol town and ward No. 29 above mine lease will be affected

The mine entries have been planned farthest away from town, near southern boundary of the block. The distance will be 1.8 km from present boundary of the town. There will be no impact of Mining Operation on surface and no subsidence.

4. Blasting vibrations will cause damage to buildings and a very old temple in shahdol.

No blasting will be carried out as coal will be extracted / cot by machines. In any case blasting at the depth mine will work (exceeding 120 m) will have no impact on surface.

5. Air Pollution will increase due to dust raised by transport of Coal cause illnesses.

Coal will be despatched by rail. No transport of coal by road except to siding near mine entries.

6. Employment to be provided to local people

Local people will be given preference in employment depending on qualifications

7. Mine water to be treated and provided for drinking purposes

Agreed.

7.2 Occupational Health Issues

The occupational health issues are well taken care of by provisions under the Mines

Rules 1955. The provisions under chapter IV A include.

a. All workers proposed to be employed in a mine have to undergo a medical

examination as per provisions of Rule 29 B (a).

b. Under clause (b) of the same, the workers have to undergo periodical

medical examination every five years.

c. The Rule 29 (c) prescribes the qualification of the medical officer carrying

out examination.

d. The standards of medical examination are prescribed under Rule 29F. The

standards of medical examination are laid down in Form ‘P’ of the rules and

includes postero-anterior chest radiograph. The medical data has to be retained for

10 years even after the employee has left the services or retired.

e. Annual returns have to be submitted every year in a prescribed format.

41

7.3 Risk Assessment 7.3.1 In Mining Industry, work safety, occupational health, vocational training of personnel,

and provision of facilities at work place, including medical facilities, is covered in great details

by the Mines Act 1952, The Coal Mines Regulation 1957, Mines Rules 1955, Vocational

Training Rules 1966 and other rules framed.

7.3.2 This is an underground mine with depth exceeding 130m. The mine infrastructure and

mine entries are spread over an area of about 15.39 ha. This area will be properly fenced and

secured. So that no unauthorised person will have entry to the area.

7.3.3 The various provisions of Coal Mines Regulations 1957, conditions prescribed by

Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) while granting various permissions under the

provisions of the Act and Regulations and guidelines issued by DGMS through various circulars

will be strictly enforced.

7.3.4 The mining plan document has examined the safety aspects of the planned mine in great

depth. The issues examined are gassiness Inundation, Dust suppression, Precautions against fire,

Roof control and subsidence. The relevant details from the document are placed at

Annexure XVB.

7.3.5 Even then in an underground Coal Mine, the risks involved cannot be fully eliminated.

The management proposes to engage experienced supervisors and mangers, so that risks are

minimised through proper supervision.

7.4 Social Impact Assessment

7.4.1 A socio economic survey of the villages in and surrounding the proposed lease area was

undertaken by a team led by Dr. Arati Nandi. Dr. Arati Nandi is approved Functional Area

Expert (FAE) by NABET (QCI) for Socio Economic (SE) for Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd.

The survey was carried out during the first six months of 2011.

7.4.2 For purpose of the survey, a zone of 4 km radius from proposed lease area was decided.

Thus, a total eight villages and ward No. 29 of Shahdol town, an urban area, was selected. The

eight villages are Bicharpur (within proposed lease area), Pachgaon, Kholhad, Chuniya, Senduri,

Kalyanpur, Fatehpur, Majhauli and are located all around the proposed lease area.

7.4.3 As per 2001 Census data, these eight villages had population of 12,147. Village Majhauli

was lowest with population of 325. The other data from published census records collected

included literacy, male female ratio, vocational data and facilities available in 2001.

7.4.4 In order to update the data, sample survey of 350 households was conducted for various

parameters, results of which are summarized below :

a) There were 968 females per 1000 males which was slight improvement over 2001 ratio.

b) Out of 350 households 71% lived in nuclear family and remaining in joint family

structure. Average family size was 5.28.

42

c) Scheduled castes accounted for 4% of surveyed population, where as scheduled tribes

were 39%. The OBCs accounted for 38% and minorities 5%.

d) About 45% of sampled population were BPL card holders as per Govt. norms.

6% households were headed by women and 2% of population was differentially able.

e) Overall literacy of surveyed household was 67% while 6% were informally literates.

About 63% were educated upto class V and above.

f) About 50% of population can be categorized as main workers. Balance is accounted by

marginal workers and non workers.

g) There is a shift of workforce from agriculture to non agricultural professions. In the

workforce, particularly from villages like Kalyanpur, Kholhad, Fatehpur and Shahdol Ward No.

29, the percentage of workers engaged in agriculture has gone down to a single digit. Most of

the people are now engaged in construction, transport, services and trade.

h) The average per capita income in the 9 villages studied is Rs. 10,304/-. The minimum

wage prevailing in the area is around Rs. 120/- per day. Except Majhauli Village, where per

capita income is less than Rs. 6000/-, in remaining villages surveyed it is higher than Rs. 8000/-

The highest is at Kalyanpur with figure of Rs. 14,000/-.

i) The annual average per capita expenditure of the families surveyed was Rs. 8,947/-.

About 51% of this expenditure is on food indicating that population is still poor. The medical

expenditure at 9% is slightly higher than 8% for clothes and 5% on education.

j) Although annual per capita savings is Rs. 1357/-, it is skewed due to Kalyanpur being

Rs. 4089/-.

7.4.5 The infrastructure facilities available in these nine villages are as under:

a) Educational – Primary schools are available within boundaries of all nine villages.

Middle Schools are available within 5 kms of the villages while high School facilities are

available within 10 kms. At Shahdol town, about 4 km away from farthest village has

Graduation colleges, three professional institutes and 10 other institutes.

b) There is only one Public Health Centre available in the area, village Pachgaon while a

Homeopathic dispensary is available at ward No. 29. Mother and child welfare centres are

available at Chuniya, Kholhad, Majhauli and Bicharpur villages.

c) Government hospitals and private hospitals are available at Shahdol which is maximum

of 10 km from the study area. Authorised veterinary doctor and assistant is available within

study area.

d) All the nine villages are connected by Pucca roads with the district place Shahdol and

have bus services, although not frequent. However, auto rikshaws, shared taxies and cycle

rikshaws also ply to most of the villages.

43

e) Most of villages, except Majhauli have Post Offices and telephone facilities. Mobile

network also covers all the villages.

f) All the villages have electricity supply.

g) Civil Amenities are rather poor in the area. Toilets are not available, in most of the

villages, except Kalyanpur.

7.4.6 Impact of Project

a) The project being an underground mine, have very less impacts in the area except dust

generated by movement from transport of coal to siding.

b) The project will offer employment to 572 persons out of which nearly 40 will be

unskilled workers. These will be local people including land loosers.

c) No village or even a single house will be required to be vacated for the project. Hence,

there is no question of rehabilitation. Only 15.39 ha. of land will be acquired for the project at

out which 4.83 ha. will be in the proposed lease area.

d) Project has life of 41 years at the end of which, two inclines and a shaft will be

permanently sealed. Most of buildings like officers etc. will be handed over to local community

for their use.

7.5 Proposal under Corporate Social Responsibility Plan

7.5.1 The area has no major industries. There are a few medium scale and number of small

units at Shahdol. The Bicharpur mine will be perhaps, first major industry to become operational

in the area. The villages surrounding Shahdol town like Kalyanpur, Kholhad, Fatehpur and

Bicharpur have already felt the impact of construction and other activities that have increased at

Shahdol town. The number and percentage of people depending on agriculture has gone down

and people employed in construction, transport and trade have increased.

7.5.2 During interaction with villagers, a number of areas have been identified / suggested by

them for improvement. These are :

i. Promotion of Modern Agriculture tools and equipment to improve the production

per unit area.

ii. Promote social forestry and horticulture to improve local environmental

conditions and also provide opportunities for income generation activities.

iii. Ambulance to attend the medical emergencies

iv. School van for primary and middle school students etc. suitable transport for girls

of high school and colleges.

v. Entrepreneurship development by promoting local youths to adopt self-

employment through Vocational training and support activities.

vi. Provision of proper water and sanitation facilities in the villages to maintain

cleanliness and hygiene.

vii. Most importantly develop national level training facilities for the women

footballers at Shadol.

44

7.5.3 Strategies and Plans have been drawn to strengthen certain activities, which are as under :

i. Strengthen off farm and non farm occupations

ii. Strengthen agriculture facilities in the project area villages

iii. Strengthen extension services

iv. Improve functional literacy

v. Improve health

vi. Civic Amenities

vii. Community Development Support

7.5.4 A detailed CSR Plan has been drawn for capital account expenditure of Rs. 7.5 crores and

revenue account expenditure of Rs. 1.87 crores over a period of five years. Need based head

wise expenditure is summarized below for capital and revenue accounts separately. Yearwise

sub head wise details are provided in Annexures XVIA and XVIB respectively.

A. Capital Budget

Sr.

No.

Details of Head / Need (Rs. Lakh)

i) Increasing Awareness 28.95

ii) Awareness of Agriculture Development 9.80

iii) Animal Husbandry & Dairy 189.00

iv) Social Forestry & Agriculture 65.10

v) Health 78.90

vi) Drinking Water 12.65

vii) Community Infrastructure 178.55

viii) Education 31.05

ix) Entrepreneurship Development 84.00

x) Infrastructure for Games & Sports 72.00

Total 750.00

B. CSR Activities under Revenue Account

Sr.

No.

Details of Item Rs. Lakh

i) Promotion General Awareness 2.50

ii) Strengthen off Farm and Non Farm Occupation 11.50

iii) Promote Modular employable skills 7.50

iv) Promote Non Modular employable skills 7.30

v) Strengthen Extension Services 21.19

vi) Education & Functional literacy 70.79

vii) Improve Health Facilities 45.30

viii) Civic Amenities 4.00

ix) Community Development 7.35

x) Maintenance & Miscellaneous Expenditure 10.07

Total 187.50

45

7.6 Baseline Health Data

7.6.1 Maternity and Child Birth facilities

a) As per 2001 census data, there was one Primary Health Centre, at Pachgaon village of the

buffer zone. Only five villages had maternity and child welfare centres.

During recent survey of eight villages a Primary Health Centre was available at Pachgaon

Village and Mother and Child Welfare Centres were available at Chuniya Kholhad, Majhauli and

Bicharpur. Villagewise health data was not readily available. However, consolidated data for

Singhpur Block was available. All the surveyed villages are part of this block. Conclusions are

drawn from Analysis of the data.

b) Out of 5757 pregnant women who registered under Anti Natal Care services, 1825

registered in first trimester which is 31.7%. Over 90% of these registered received TT1 & TT2

doses.

c) A good proportion of pregnant women, over 35.6% were found to have anemia with iron

levels less shall 11 mg per deciliter. A large proportion, over 90% received 100 IFA tablets.

d) Less than 09% deliveries were supervised by trained doctor / nurses or midwives. Only

about 45% newborns were visited within 24 hours of birth.

e) Thus, the Maternity and Child Welfare Facilities reached about 32% population.

7.6.2 Family Planning

a) About 1769 stevilization operations were carried out during the year. No complications

were reported in any of the case.

b) A total 1298 IUD insertions were carried out during the year.

c) A total of 6279 oral pills cycles, were distributed during first five months but none

afterwards.

7.6.3 Child Immunization

a) A large number of children were given of various immunization doses. These

immunization includes BCG, DPT, OPV, Measles and Hepatitis. The number of Children

receiving immunization varied from 643 OPV Birth dose, 2940 (BCG) to over 4500 for other

Immunizations.

b) Out of these children, 4367 children between 9 to 11 months have been fully immunized.

c) 1765 children above 16 months have received DPT Booster and OPV booster doses.

d) The above immunization programme was carried out through 1872 sessions over

12 month period.

e) In addition, 4558 children were administered vitamin A1 doses.

46

f) No cases of Diptheria, Peptussis, Tetanus and Polio were reported among Children of 1-5

years.

g) 3659 cases of diarrhea and dehydration, 23 cases Malaria and 922 cases of respiratory

infection were reported among children of 0-5 years.

7.6.4 General Health Parameters

a) Under blindness Control Programme 452 patients were operated for cataract and all of

them received IOL implants.

b) A total at 1625 Adults and 148 children were admitted as inpatients at various hospitals.

c) A total 513 minor operations were performed during the year.

d) A total of 214 hemoglobin tests were conducted on adults. Out of these 3 cases were

found Hb less 7 mg per deciliter.

e) A total 30,165 blood smears were examined for malaria. Only 163 cases were found

positive.

7.6.5 Deaths

a) The causes of death were analysed among infants and adults. A total of 51 infants died

during the period excluding deaths due to Pneumonia, Diarrhea, Fever related and measles.

There were no deaths due to these diseases among children.

b) A total seven deaths were reported among adults due to Heart Diseases out of this, five

were above 55 years. A death due to stroke was reported in one adult aged between 15-55 years.

c) One case of death due to trauma for an adult, three cases of suicides and 10 cases of

animal bites were reports for adults between 15-15 years.

d) The cases of known acute diseases and chronic diseases reported were 145 and

76 respectively. Majority of these cases were reported between age group above 55 years.

e) Surprisingly in a large number of disease cases reported, 380 nos. were for causes not

known. Here again 242 cases were in age group of above 55 years.

7.6.6 Overall health status in the area appears to be reasonably good.

47

8.0 PROJECT BENEFITS

8.1

Additional Supply of Coal

…

48

8.2 Technological Benefits … 48

8.3 Improvement in Social and Physical Infrastructure … 48

8.4 Employment Potential … 49

8.5 Other Tangible Benefits … 49

8.1 Additional Supply of Coal

The main benefits of the project will be availability of 0.75 million tonnes of coal from a

new mine. In present situation when the country is facing shortage of coal, with imports

increasing, this will be a great benefit.

8.2 Technological Benefits

8.2.1 The phenomenal increase of coal production over last 30 years is mainly through large

scale opencast mining. The share of production from under ground coal mines has been

continuously declining and to day it stands at about 12% of total production.

8.2.2 Thus establishing and starting a new underground mine, that too a fully mechanised one,

will be a technological achievement and a very desirable learning experience.

8.2.3 Underground mining results in far less damage to Environment and forests. Thus this

mine will exercise very little pressure on environment, as land surface will not be disturbed over

most of the lease area.

8.3 Improvement in Social and Physical Infrastructure

8.3.1 Although mine is highly mechanised, about 40 unskilled jobs will be created. These

would mainly go to local people. In addition, security, sanitation, cleaning and up keep of

offices etc would be outsourced, which will create further opportunities of employment.

8.3.2 It will be in the company’s interest to select young people from nearby villages and train

them for skilled jobs. The company will try its best to implement this.

8.3.3 A good number of people will find work in secondary and tertiary sectors to provide

services and supplies, to colony coming up.

8.3.4 The company proposes to spend a sizeable amount every year to bring up social

infrastructure. This will have an impact lasting over several decades after closure of the mine.

48

8.4 Employment Potential

8.4.1 The project will employ about 577 persons which will include about 40 unskilled jobs.

8.4.2 Nearly 15% employees will be semiskilled where local people, particularly land loosers,

if found suitable, would be given priority, after appropriate training.

8.5 Other Tangible Benefits

8.5.1 It has been observed that an industry like coal mining pays quite high wages, which

brings prosperity to the area. The commerce and services of the area develop multifold, which

results in generation of employment opportunities.

8.5.2 As a progressive management and responsible corporate citizen, the company will create

infrastructure to train local people so that they can grab these opportunities.

49

9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL COST BENIFIT ANALYSIS

Not applicable, as not prescribed / recommended at scoping stage

50

10.0 EMP / ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS

10.1 Management of Environment The monitoring schedule is already described in Para 6.1 earlier. The safety officer of the

mine, who would be an experienced Mining Engineer, with first class Certificate of Competency

qualified under Coal Mines Regulations 1957, will also be Environment Officer.

10.2 The above officer will be given training in Environment Management.

10.3 The responsibilities of Environment Officer will include:

i) To ensure that monitoring of Environment Parameters, as prescribed by the letter,

granting environmental clearance or as prescribed by the State Pollution Control Board, while

granting consent to operate, is carried out, through outsourcing. He will also ensure that results

are available in time.

ii) He will maintain record of the results of monitoring. If there are any unusual variations

in the results obtained, he will bring it to the notice of the manager.

iii) He will ensure that regular reports are sent to the State Pollution Control Board and

MOEF, as stipulated, vide the terms of conditions of consent granted by SPCB and

Environmental Clearance granted.

iv) He will ensure that the settling tanks on surface are regularly cleaned, particularly ahead

of each monsoon.

v) He will ensure that dust suppression arrangement at surface for the coal storage Bunker

and its reclamation system is always functioning and maintained regularly.

vi) He will be responsible to plan plantation programme for each year and ensure that it is

executed.

vii) He will report the status of environment of the mine to mines manager from time to time.

He will also convene a half yearly meeting of senior officers at the mine so as to review the

status of environment.

10.4 Corporate Environmental Responsibility

10.4.1 The company is committed to contribute towards a clean and sustainable environment by

continually enhancing our environmental performance as integral part of its business philosophy.

The company is Pro-actively Committed to

Conduct our all operations in an environmentally responsible manner to go beyond

the statutory environment clerances and compliances and group internal standards.

We continuously assess and measure our environmental performance and the improve

the same by adopting the best environmental practices across all our operations for

prevention & control of pollution and minimize green house gases.

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Implement and continually improve our Environmental Management System in all

across our operations.

Conservation of non-renewable natural resources and recycling of secondary materials

over our entire value chain.

We invest in the development of innovative and sustainable products and processes.

Adhere to the Environmental Clearance (EC), Consent conditions & Forest Clearance

(FC) conditions wherever applicable, granted to the company. Deviations if any from

this policy and the above clearance /consent conditions shall be reported to the Board

of Directors. These will reflect in our stake holder communications.

Shall identify and deploy responsible person(s) at all levels of hierarchy for proactive

implementation and adherence to this policy.

We engage our all our stakeholders to promote environmental awareness and report

publicly on environmental compliance, performance and progress.

10.4.2 The company has already made a beginning by deciding to work the block by

underground Method of Mining although Geological Report indicated that about 70 million

tonnes of coal reserves in seam IV and VII could be worked by opencast method, albeit at higher

stripping ratio.

10.4.3 For implementation of the policy the company proposes to take the following steps.

a) Appointment of a senior person as Environment officer. The company proposes

to give additional responsibility / complete charge of Environmental Management

to Mine Safety Officer who is a Senior Statutory Officer reporting directly to

Mine Manager.

b) The appointed officer shall prepare a report on Environment Management once in

three months initially during mine construction stage and later at six monthly

intervals and submit it to the Manager of the mine.

c) Once in a year the officer will prepare a report on environmental Performance of

the Mine for submission to the higher management of the company including the

Board of Directors. He will specially, point in deficiencies that require approvals

/ sanctions from higher authorities.

10.5 This being a new project, and mining lease is yet to granted, there are no court cases /

litigation against the project.

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11.0 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION

11.1

Project Location and Project Description

…

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11.2 Description of Environment … 54

11.3 Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures … 55

11.4 Environmental Monitoring Programme … 56

11.5 Additional Studies … 57

11.6 Project Benefits … 57

11.7 EMP/Environment Management Plan … 57

11.1 Project Location and Project Description

11.1.1 The Government of India, Ministry of Coal has allotted Bicharpur Coal Block, over an

area of 500 ha to the Madhya Pradesh State Mining Corporation Ltd. for non power sector /

merchandise mining. The block is located in Sohagpur Coalfield, Shahdol district, Madhya

Pradesh. The geographical location of the block is given at Figure 1 of this document.

11.1.2 The area of block is a flat terrain with slightly undulating lands going upto level of 483

mRL in the Western and SW part. The block area generally slopes towards north with altitude

going down to 450 mRL.

11.1.3 The proposed lease area does not have any perennial water courses. A nalla called Lotna

nalla flows almost in the middle of the property towards North. It confluences with Murna

Nalla, near northern boundary of the proposed lease. The Murna nalla eventually meets Son

river which controls drainage of the area.

11.1.4 The Sohagpur Coalfield is part of large sediments filled Gondwana trough in Son river

basin. The block area is generally covered by soil and alluvium, with rock exposures only along

nalla cuttings. Coal is not exposed any where in the block. Hence the geology of block is

derived from exploratory drilling.

11.1.5 The detailed exploration of the block was carried out by M/s Naresh Kumar & Company

Pvt. Ltd. However, occurrence of coal was earlier proved by two borehole drilled by GSI.

The exploration was carried out between May 2010 and March 2011. A total of 45 boreholes

were drilled. The four coal seams occurring in block were proved by drilling.

11.1.6 Out of four coal seams, three are workable and have geological reserves 53.39 Mt. Out

of this mineable reserves are 29.12 Mt. The minimum depth of the coal working will be 121 m

while maximum will be 270 m. The gradient of seams is almost flat being 1º to 4º towards

North.

11.1.7 The mine will be an underground coal mine. There are no major faults in the block area.

The coal seams will be approached by a pair of inclined drifts driven at gradient 1 in 5. They

will be driven so as to touch all the three workable seams one after another. For ventilation

return air, a shaft will be sunk, while both inclines will be intake airways.

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11.1.8 Since gradient of coal seams is almost flat, the coal will be won by continuous miners.

The mine is planned on Bord and Pillar method. The IV seam will be developed on this pattern

and will be left sealed. The two seams below, namely III A and II seams, will be developed so

that galleries and pillars are superimposed. However, they will be extracted by a method called

NEW (Non extractive Width) method. In this method, width of extraction is interspaced by solid

pillars designed in such a way that subsidence does not reach surface. The method of extraction

is shown at Figure 4 of this document.

11.1.9 The coal will be brought out of the mine by a conveyor running in the drift. The

conveyer will deliver coal to a overhead bunker from where it will be despatched to the siding,

about 2 km away, by closed dumpers. No washery is proposed at the mine.

11.1.10 All required site services including colony will be located over 15.39 ha. of land.

Out of this, 4.83 ha. will be within the lease while 11.56 ha. will be just outside SW boundary.

Colony is also proposed within the same area.

11.1.11 The life of the mine will be 41 years, including development. The coal extracted will be

29.12 Mt which will 55% of net geological reserves.

11.2 Description of Environment

11.2.1 The proposed lease area / block is flat with stope towards North. There is one village –

Bicharpur within the block area. However, since there will be no subsidence the village will not

be affected. The company will acquire 4.83 ha. of land within block area and 10.56 adjacent

land outside, a total of 15.39 ha , for surface infrastructure and colony.

11.2.2 There are a total of 78 census villages and one urban area Shahdol with 10 km radium

buffer zone from boundary of the block. The total land of area of these villages is 34,165 ha. as

per 2001 Census. The area buffer zone becomes 41,121 ha. after addition of area of Reserved

and Protected Forests, which were measured at 6956 ha. In addition there are 8290 ha. of

revenue forest lands within the buffer zone.

11.2.3 Out of this land area 19,856 ha. is cultivated land which is 48.3% of area of buffer zone.

Forests of all types account for 15,246 ha. or 37.0% of land area.

11.2.4 The proposed lease area has 75.750 ha. of protected forest and 35.061 ha. of Govt.

Revenue Forests, both of which are highly degraded. The Shahdol town occupies a part, nearly

44 ha., of land of the proposed lease.

11.2.5 The area experiences good rainfall, averaging over 1250 mm per year. The climate is hot

during summer and cold during winter. The summer temperatures are usually above 40ºC during

months from April to June. The winter temperatures are usually below 10º with temperature of

0º being recorded. The relative humidity recorded is usually above 50% except during April and

May. Even during these months, the relative humidity recorded does not go below 25%.

The wind velocities are usually below 5 kmph during months between October to January. The

velocities recorded increase in February & March and continue the increase from April to

September. Calm periods are usually low.

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11.2.6 The water courses in the lease area are seasonal except Murna Nalla which only have

pools of water during summer. The ground water resources, of both core and buffer zone, are

mainly due to rain water percolation. The ground water levels during pre monsoon vary from

4.67 m to 9.02 m while during post monsoon they are 1.54 m to 6.48 m. The ground water use is

around 30%, very much below the safe level of 70%.

11.2.7 The quality of water was analysed for six surfaces and four ground water sources. Except

for coliforms in all surface waters and two dug well waters, all the quality parameters were

below desirable levels of drinking water standards. Obviously, the waters of the area are free

from pollution.

11.2.8 The ambient air quality was monitored at six locations, including one within the proposed

lease area. The parameters PM10, and PM 2.5, were much below prescribed limits for rural

areas while Nitrogen dioxide, SO2 and Carbon Monoxide were very much below their prescribed

limits. Remaining parameters were found either absent or below detectable levels. Dust fall

measurements carried out at two locations and values were low, 5.2 t/km2/month &

14.8 t/km2/month.

11.2.9 Noise levels were monitored at six locations. The noise levels recorded were low,

usually below 55 dB(A). Little higher noise levels were recorded at two locations near

highways.

11.2.10 The soil quality of agricultural land showed medium fertility and even barren land was

approaching to this level.

11.2.11 There are no National Parks, Sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves, migratory corridors or any

other eco sensitive areas within 50 km from boundary of proposed lease area. A flora fauna

survey was undertaken in core and buffer zone area. The forests are fairly degraded. There are

no endemic species of flora nor any endangered one. The fauna in the area is also fairly common

and not much variety is found.

11.2.12 The traffic survey indicated that, major traffic on the roads, even National Highway

from Katni to Annupur, was of two wheelers and three wheelers which accounted for 50% on

National Highway and upto 75% on the other roads surveyed.

11.3 Anticipated Environmental Impact and Mitigation Measures

11.3.1 The mine will be worked by underground method at depth varying from 130 m to 270 m.

The coal extraction will be done in such a way that there will not be any surface subsidence.

Thus land can be continued to be used for existing purposes by the land owners.

11.3.2 Only 15.39 ha. of agricultural land will be acquired for infrastructure and colony. Thus

impact on land will be negligible. All owners of 15.39 ha. of acquired land, will be offered jobs,

if they are prepared to work in an underground mine. Thus R & R are involved is limited.

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11.3.3 The impact on Air Quality will be limited. Main causes will be handling of coal at

surface, its transport to siding and handling at siding. Adequate arrangement for spraying water

will be done at all transfer and storage points. The transportation to siding will be done through

closed dumpers.

11.3.4 The only cause of water pollution will be suspended solids in water pumped out from the

mine. These will be removed through settling tanks, before discharging water to surface water

courses.

11.3.5 Blasting will not be regularly undertaken at this mine. In any case blasting at depths

beyond 130 m will have very little impact on surface. The impact on noise levels will only be

due to handling of coal at surface. The whole of acquired surface area will be surrounded by a

green belt to reduce the noise and control dispersion of dust.

11.3.6 Since only 15.39 ha. land will be acquired and there will be no surface subsidence due to

Mining Operations, no land will be affected. Hence there will be no impact on soil quality.

11.3.7 Since the coal will be despatched by rail, the only increase in traffic will be on the road

from mine to railway siding. The management will examine alternatives to reduce the increased

traffic.

11.3.8 Mine Closure Plan

The life of the mine will be 41 years. The underground working of seams will be done

from top to bottom. As soon as working in a seam are over, entries to that seam from the two

approach inclines will be sealed by explosion proof sloppings. When extraction is complete

from all coal seams, the inclines and one shaft from surface will be sealed after bringing out all

equipment from the mine.

The remaining surface land with colony and other infrastructure, the surface

infrastructure that cannot be used by the local community will be dismantled. The colony,

perhaps, will have a ready market due to expansion of Shahdol City.

11.4 Environmental Monitoring Programme

11.4.1 The environmental Monitoring Programme proposed is as under :

a) Quarterly monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5, for eight hours at three station, including

one at downwind side of railway siding. Full 24 hr monitoring once in a year for

all 12 parameters at two stations.

b) Monthly monitoring of water overflowing settling tanks for pH, suspended solids,

total dissolved solids and analysied for all 37 parameters once a year.

c) Monthly monitoring of noise levels at predetermined locations.

11.4.2 Except monitoring of noise levels, other jobs will be outsourced.

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11.5 Additional Studies

11.5.1 Besides Public Consultations, a Social Impact Assessment study was undertaken in

villages within and surrounding lease area. For purpose of survey eight villages within four km

radius zone of the proposed lease area were selected. It also covered ward No. 29 of Shahdol

town which was partly within the block. The 2001 Census data was collected and analysed.

In order to update the data, a sample survey of 350 households was carried out on various

parameters like male- female ratio, population, type and size of families, income data, literacy,

infrastructural facilities, connectivity, post and telephone facilities and civic amenities.

11.5.2 The survey has been utilized to draw out a corporate Social Responsibility Programme

based on interaction with villagers. Besides the household survey, group discussions and Focus

Group Discussions (FGD) were held with the villagers groups. The programme includes,

measures to improve income of Agricultural families, Measures to improve health facilities,

drinking water supply, community infrastructure, entrepreneurship development, skill

development etc.

11.5.3 A total expenditure of Rs. 7.5 crores on capital account and 1.87 crore on revenue

expenditure has been planned during first five years. Details have been drawn on expenditure on

major heads and sub heads and are included to this document as Annexures.

11.6 Project Benefits

11.6.1 The project will supply 0.75 Mt of coal per annum for nearly 40 years. With country’s

energy demand increasing, this will be a good contribution to Country’s economy.

11.6.2 The mine will be a fully mechanized underground coal mine with a high productivity. It

will help the nation to run such highly productive underground mines in future.

11.6.3 The project will employ 577 persons directly, out of which 40 will be unskilled jobs for

which only locals will be employed. A good number of jobs will be created in secondary and

Tertiary Sector.

11.6.4 The company proposes to spend substantial amount for CSR activities, details of which

are described in para 7.5 of this document.

11.7 EMP / Environment Management Plan

11.7.1 The plan of Environment Monitoring is already detailed in para 11.4 above.

11.7.2 The mine will be a mechanised underground mine and under Coal Mines Regulations,

1957 will have to appoint a full time Safety Officer with specified qualifications and experience.

He will also given responsibility of Environment Management. He will be given special training

in Environment Management.

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11.7.3 It will be his duty to ensure that

a. Environment Monitoring is carried out as per schedule and maintain

records of the same.

b. He will ensure that dust suppression measures at surface and underground are

properly functioning.

c. He will ensure that settling ponds are cleaned regularly.

d. Draw out programme for plantation and monitor the same.

e. He will ensure that any deficiencies are brought to the notice of the manager

f. Send reports of monitoring to State PCB and MoEF as per their stipulations

11.7.4 He will directly report to the Mines Manager to whom he will give a regular status report

on Environment. He will also convene a meeting of Sr. Officials every six months to discuss the

status of Environment.

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12.0 DISCLOSURE OF CONSULTANTS ENGAGED

12.1 The consultants who prepared the EIA/EMP document are a private limited company,

Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd., Nagpur.

Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd. has been conditionally accreditated as EIA

Consultant Organisation under QCI – NABET Scheme for Accreditation for three sectors

under Category A.

12.2 The consultancy was started as a partnership firm in 1990 by a group of three

experienced mining engineers, under leadership of Late Prof. G.S. Marwaha, having wide

ranging involvement with a broad spectrum of developmental activity relating to mining

industry, with over 75 years of experience between them. Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd. was set

up later in November 1996.

The areas of expertise include:

a) Preparation of Mining Plan / Mining Schemes under MCR, 1960.,

b) Preparation of EIA/EMP document for Mining Projects and Beneficiation Projects

and Mineral Beneficiation including Public Hearing and defence in the MoEF,

c) Preparation of Mine Closure Plans

d) Preparation of Form 1 application for Mining Projects and defence in MoEF

12.3 Thus, the company’s work has been mostly connected with the mining industry. Since,

inception we have prepared and got approved 24 EIA/EMP documents that is on average of one

per year and 47 Mining Plans.

12.4 These numbers appear to be low because we believe in quality of work and not quantity.

We have been updating contents of our EIA/EMP documents as per changing situation and

requirements of the Ministry of Environment and Forest and its expert committee, from time to

time.

12.5 Our clients have been leading public and private undertaking in the country, like SAIL,

MOIL, Larsen & Toubro Cement Plant, ACC, KIOCL. Generally the clients engaged us because

of quality of work and difficulties they faced with their mines/leases. We prepared final Mine

Closure Plan for KIOCL.

12.6 We generally have been outsourcing collection of Baseline data, unless the client

collected it themselves. The consultants to whom data was outsourced are Envirotech Consult, a

consultancy in Nagpur, run by two senior officers retired from National Environmental

Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and to M/s Nilawar Laboratories, who are

comparatively new entrants, but have one of the best equipped laboratories with ASS. Since

both of these laboratories are not accreditated by NABL or registered with MoEF, we have

entered into an agreement with M/s Vidarbha Enviro Protection Ltd., who are approved company

by MoEF.

We also have number of consultants who carry out part of the work. For instance

Sri J. Dutta, a Senior Geologist (full time), Dr. N.M. Parhad (full time), for Water Pollution,

Shri N.K. Prasad for hydrogeological Survey, Dr. Arati Nandi for Socio-economic survey and

Dr. M.L. Naik for biodiversity and flora/fauna survey. All these are accreditated as

Functional Area Experts by Quality Council of India, NABET.

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We are, perhaps, first consultants, who introduced flora-fauna survey way back in 1994-

95 and undertaken six such surveys, before they became part of TOR.

We are, perhaps, first consultants, who introduced the Concept of Mine Closure Plan,

when we prepared a EIA/EMP document for a proposed coal project back in 1998.

12.7 Presently, after demise of Prof. Marwaha in May 2000, the consultancy is headed by

Shri U.W. Datey, a Mining Engineer with experience of over 50 years & Shri N.M. Sangode a

Mining Engineer with experience of over 44 years.

12.7.1 Shri Datey graduated from Indian School of Mines in 1960. After completing training in

coal mines he went to United Kingdome as Assam Oil Company Scholar and joined Birmingham

University for post graduation research. After completing M.Sc. degree in 1963, Shri Datey

joined as ‘Trainee’ with National Coal Board, United Kingdom. After returned to India in 1964,

he joined Central Mining Research Station, Dhanbad as Scientist incharge of Operations

Research Division. Shri Datey carried out several studies in coal mines and authored a number

of papers based on these studies.

Shri Datey joined the Bastacolla Colliery in 1970 and was transferred to headquarter of

Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. in 1973, where he worked as Technical Secretary to the Directors till

1980. During this period Shri Datey acted as lawyer in Several Court of Enquiries set up after

major accidents in Coal Mines.

After 1980, Shri Datey joined an Explosive Company as General Manager Marketing and

was instrumental in introducing bulk loaded ammonium nitrate in coal mines.

Shri Datey joined Prof. Marwaha to start a consultancy in 1990. The consultancy mainly

operated in the field of preparation of Statutory Mining Plans, Preparation of Environment

Impact Assessment / Environment Management Plan. Shri Datey has now over two decades of

experience in Environmental Field.

12.7.2 Shri N.M. Sangode, a graduate mining Engineer of 1967 batch from ISM. Dhanbad,

worked in large U/G mines of pyrites (PPCL), Gold (KGF), copper, Manganese and large

opencast mines of iron and manganese in managerial capacities for six years. Obtained

unrestricted First Class Mines Managers Certificate of Competency from D.G.M.S. and MBA in

Management studies from Leeds University, U.K. Then joined IBM in 1976 and worked as a

regulatory authority from 1976 to 2001. As Regional Controller of Mines, Goa Region and

Central Zone and Controller of Mines, South Zone, processed and approved large number of

mining plans and thus contributed emensely to the mining industry in systematic and scientific

development of mines and in containing environmental pollution in large mechanized mines. As

Director (Training) IBM, organized several Management Development Programmes for Junior

and Senior Officers of IBM and for executives from Industry on preparation of Scientific Mining

Plans and Environment Management Plans throughout the country including Assam and

Nagaland. Many technical consultancy assignments handled by IBM under his expert guidance

during his tenure as Head of Technical consultancy, mining Research and

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Publication Division of IBM. Based on his MBA thesis, a Central Ore Processing Laboratory

and 50 tpd Pilot plant, biggest in Asia was established in Nagpur by IBM with United Nations

Financial Assistance. Mr. Sangode was selected through UPSC as “Advisor (Science and

Technology)” in the Ministry of Mines, Government of India in 1998-99. However, he missed

the opportunity to work, as the post was abolished by the Ministry.

Presently, working with Minenviron Systems Pvt. Ltd. for over a decade as Mining and

Environmental Consultant and completed successfully several prestigious assignments for

KIOCL, SAIL, MOIL, MECL, M/s Murli Agro, Usha Martin Ltd., MSPL, RMMPL, M/s Rio-

Tinto etc. related to Mining Plans, EIA/EMPs and Forest and Environmental Clearances.

12.7.3 Both Shri Datey and Shri Sangode are approved as EIA Coordinators for Mining Sector

Projects.

12.8 The consultancy has full-fledged office with full time four staff members including one

draftsman, who is working with us almost since inception.

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