1.1 INTRODUCTION. The Lessee is proposes to produce about 200 Cum/year of Black Granite. The total cost of the project is Rs.

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1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 INTRODUCTION M/s.SOHAN ART & GRANITE INDUSTRY have granted quarry lease for Black Granite over an extent of 1.00 Hectare in Sy. No. 101 of Kappali Village, Ramasamudram Mandal, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh by Director of Mines & Geology, Hyderabad, vide Proceedings No / R5-1 / 2006 dated for a period of 20 years and a mining plan was approved vide letter No:2881/MP-PLMR/2012 Dated: The Lessee is proposes to produce about 200 Cum/year of Black Granite. The total cost of the project is Rs. 45 lakhs only M/s.SOHAN ART & GRANITE INDUSTRY is conscious of its responsibility towards the society in minimizing the pollution load due to this proposed activity and according to Office Memorandam No /47/2011-IA.II(M), dated from MoEF, GoI, New Delhi for obtaining Environmental Clearance from SEIAA, Andhra Pradesh; the project proponents intends to prepare an Environmental Management Plan for submission for grant of Environmental Clearance for their proposed 1.00 Ha. of Granite Mine Lease area. 1

2 Table 1: SALIENT FEATURES OF THE STUDY AREA Details of the Study Area District & State Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh Mandal Ramasamudram Village Kappali Nature of the Area Government Land Latitude & Longitude N E N E N E N E General Climatic Conditions Maximum Temperature 40 o C Minimum Temperature 28 o C Annual Rainfall 900 mm Wind Pattern SW to NE Accessibility Road Connectivity A B.T. road of 1.1 km length is connecting to the area from Kappali village. Rail Connectivity The nearest Railway station is located at Bangarupet, at a distance of 69 km from the applied area. Air Port Bangalore port is 150 km from ML area Nearest Village Kappali village 1.0 km from ML area. Historical / Important Places Archaeologically Important Site Nil within the study area Historically Important Site Nil within the study area Sensitive Places Nil within the study area Sanctuaries / National Parks Nil within the study area Nearest Forest Addakonda RF-1.1 Km, Penchupadu R.F is 2.5 Km, Chambakuru R.F. is 3.8 Km, Rayalpadu R.F is 5.3 km Nearest Water Body Nil within the study area Inter state boundary AP & Karnataka Inter state boundary is at a distance of 5.2 KM Figure 1 shows the 10 km radius of the study area around the proposed Mine Lease area. 2

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4 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 THE PROJECT The project of M/s.SOHAN ART & GRANITE INDUSTRY deals with the production of 200 m 3 /Year of Black Granite in Sy. No: 01 of Kappali village, Ramasamudram Mandal, Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. The method of working shall be by Semi-Mechanised opencast working of quarrying by using jack hammer drilling & cutting by Wire Saw & blasting by low explosives if required. The lease area is at the intersection of 13 o to 13 o North latitudes and 78 o to 78 o East longitudes. The area is located at a distance of 1.0 km from Kappali. 2.2 NEED FOR THE PROJECT In order to meet the statutory requirements the lessee intends to obtain Environmental Clearance from Statutory Authorities. 2.3 TOPOGRAPHY The area applied for Quarry lease is a hillock, which is elevated to a height of 10 m from the ground level. The outcrops of black granite (Dolerite) is weathered party at the top layer and occur as boulders and sheets are well exposed in the working pit with some intermittent top soil capping. The area is surrounded by agricultural fields with regional crops. Water table is located at a depth of 21m from the surface in the open wells of the village. Temperature of the region is reported to be 28oC to a max. of 40oC during summer. Rain fall of this area is about 900 mm during to a max. of 40oC during summer. Rain fall of this area is about 900 mm during monsoons in a year. Pappali is located about 1 km from the site and Remasamudram also located 7 kms from the mine with a population of about 1000 people. No other area of public interest is found in the vicinity. Nearest Air port is Bangalore located about 150 kms from the Mines, Post office and Police station are available in Ramasamudram. 4

5 2.4 GEOLOGY Regional Geology The dolerite dyke is intruded into the pre-existing country rock namely Biotite Gneiss and trending from NNW-SSE direction and dipping vertical. The width of dyke is about 21 m and running to few kilometers. The colour of black granites is dark black with more melanocratic minerals like Augite than plagioclase feldspars. No mica or iron is found. The texture is uniform with massive outcrops as sheets. The order of superposition of geological sequence are given as under, Description Geological Age Top soil Red - Recent Age Dolerties - Archaean Peninsular gneisses - Archaean Biotite gneiss is the oldest rock into which the younger dolerite dykes intruded later Local Geology Dolerite is sub volcanic igneous rock, commercially called as Black granite. It is a type of ferro-magnesian dyke rock comprised of mineral constituents such as Pyroxene (Augite) and Plagioclase. The petrological and mineralogical properties of this dolerite rock are given as under. a) Texture and Grain Size: - Texture is ophitic, laths of fine plagioclase feldspar embedded over matrix of very fine grained augite pyroxene. Phenocryst (Plagioclase) size is 1-3mm and pyroxene (Augite) size is <1 mm. b) Colour and aesthetic beauty of the stone:- Dark black with brownish back ground up on polishing, suitable for slabs, tiles, monuments etc., c) Hardness:- Being a homogenous and fresh rock the hardness of mineral assemblages shall be as per Moh s scale of hardness. d) Mineralogical composition:- Mostly contain fine laths of plagioclase (Labrodorite) embedded over pyroxene matrix 60% is plagioclase and 35% pyroxene and rest 5% accessories like magnetite etc. 5

6 e) Density/Specific gravity :- The density of fresh rock ranges from gms/cc. f) Water absorption capacity :- 0.12% g) Porosity:- It is a massive rock and porosity shall be % h) Compression Strength:- 194 MPa or Psi i) Absrsiveness:- Not estimated j) Permeability:- It is very poor due to low porosity k) Rock quality designation:- It shall be more than 60% due to fresh rock. No much weathering except boulders up to 3m depth whose RQD factor shall be < 57% as assigned based on test made for Bengal black. l) Young Modules of Elastically: Gpa (Fresh rock-unweathered) m) Degree of Weathering under Hardness/ Microscope:- Boulders formation up to 3-4 and massive below 3m depth. Glossiness:- Negligible. The order of geological sequence in the quarry lease is is, Top soil Red - < 1 m thick - Recent Dolerties - Archaean Peninsular gneisses (Granitic) - Archaean Biotite granite gneiss is the oldest rock into which the younger dolerite dyke intruded later. The strike direction is measured as NNW-SSE direction and dips vertical. Normally dyke deposit with more than 25 m thick will be more of sheet in nature and economical for mining but this deposit is 21 m wide only and therefore large size sheet shall be less in production when compare to smaller size blocks. 6

7 EXPLORATION: Details of Mining Carried Out i) The RQP and his survey team along with the Applicant had carried out the survey to map the geological and surface details of the area. The mineable black granite body is very well exposed at the surface with little top soil capping intermittently. ii) Propose to be carried Out: No bore hole is proposed to drill as the granite is exposed at the surface itself. Necessary mining geological details can be observed during mining by employing a Qualified Geologist to identity the texture and structure of geological formations for proper extraction of blocks and orientation working faces to minimize the wastes and to increase the recovery. 2.5 GEOLOGICAL RESERVES The geological and mineable reserves are estimated by Geological Black method and cross-sectional methods up to a depth of 18 m from the top including the thickness of top soil and boulders, the workable granite deposit is taken as 15m by average. The rate of recovery of saleable blocks as below based on field conditions. Bench Height Recovery Slice or Bench I 0-3 mts. 0% Slice or Bench II-III 3-18 mts 10% The geological reserves is estimated for the area allowed for mining by the Crosssectional method is as 7758 m3 to depth of 35m based on certain factors like depth of mining, recovery, safety barriers etc Mineable Reserves and Life of the Mine Geological traverses in the quarry and the study exposures in the vicinity of quarries facilitated to access the shape and size of the deposit in the area. It is a hill deposit rising 10 M above ground level within the quarry lease area (The lowest contour is 90 M and highest contour is 100 M). The surface of sheet rock is wavy and irregular. RESERVES AVAILABLE FOR MINING 7

8 The mineable reserves is estimated by cross-sectional method having considered the recovery factor, depth of mining, safety barriers etc., The mineable reserves is estimated as 3432 m3.. The overall pits slope is taken as 60 o from the horizontal. The recovery factor is taken as 10% for the six slice of 3-18m thick based on the field experience on regional scale. Depth of mining is taken as 18 m including little top soil/boulders. The life of the mine is computed as 17 years at a production rate of 200 cubic meters per annum. Production is proposed little less due to high development work by removal gneissic boulders. The mine life shall increase after exploring granite deposit below 18m depth. Life of the Mine = 3432 M 3 /200 M 3 = OR SAY 18 Years 2.6 MINING There are no public buildings, places of importance and historical monuments. However, the lessee will conduct the quarry operations duly adopting the restrictions regarding the safety measures as per the regulations 109 & 127 of Metalliferrous Mines Regulations The lessee will adopt the latest mining techniques and machinery such as Wire-Saw cutting machinery for extracting the dimensional stones. Method of Mining (Open Cast other than fully Mechanized / Semi Mechanized) The Black Granite in the quarry lease area is exposed on the surface with boulders. Hence, it is proposed to mine the boulders / sheet by open cast, semi-mechanized methods, by developing the benches of 6M height in 2 phases of 3 M each. Wire Saw cutting will be deployed based on the favourable conditions. The development of benches in the sheet rock will be 60 o safety slopes. The separation of blocks from the mother rock will be carried out by drilling, wedge cutting, excavation will be done by the machinery. The secondary splitting, dressing of blocks will be done manually. Therefore, mining operations are to be carried out in this area in 2 stages. 1) Development 2) Production 8

9 Stage- 1 The removal of weathered and under sized boulders will be cleared in the quarry lease applied area for the next five years by using excavator. The sheet that is exposed will be subjected to drilling, blasting and splitting from mother rock. Rock splitting / Wedging : Thus 20 x 20 to 40 x 20 to 40 mass will be separated from mother rock. Then horizontal holes will be drilled at the bottom of the bench, by wedging or blasting with water cartridges and cardex fuse, bottom separation will be achieved. Splitting the Mass For splitting the mass from mother rock, the line drilling and wedging method is in use; with Jack Hammers and this waste will be dumped at dumping yard using tipper. Stage-2 After removal of weathered and under sized boulders. The large boulders will be subjected to splitting into required sizes of blocks by using Jack Hammers by drilling series of deep holes at right angles at regular intervals, later by inserting feather and wedges in these holes and hammering with sledge hammer will release the blocks. The burner cutters will be deployed for shaping the boulders. The boulders will be splited to the required sizes with drilling and if required by using chemical compound at the source only. The boulders separated will be brought to the dressing yard for dressing. If the boulders, which fit into the required market grade size will be transformed into cuboids. Secondary Splitting : After separation from the mother rock, it is properly checked by washing with water to identify defects and cracks. Based on this observation, the size is decided and the blocks are marked and separated by drilling and wedging. The separated pieces will be examined for defects and lines, then the block or blocks are marked in clear area and holes are drilled along the line of marking, with the help of 9

10 feathers and wedges the waste portions are separated forming a rectangular blocks. Any bulges will be removed by drilling and wedging making it perfect blocks. A perfect block is that all the sides shall make with each other Dressing: After primary separation the rock mass will be carefully examined to avoid hairline cracks, minerals segregation s and veins etc. The dressing of the rough blocks will be made by chipping the edges and geometrically equating the edges of the block at the dressing yard. The rough blocks obtained after primary out it will be dressed for obtaining good geometric shape of Black ed granite. Dressing of dimensional rough blocks for export: Dressing is final phase of mining operation, wherein the secondary rough blocks are squared into regular perfect rectangular sizes, thereby avoiding uneven bulge or cavities and other defects. Jackhammers with compressor, feather end wedges and sledgehammers are equipments generally used for dressing the block. Drilling: Drill hole of 9 M depth will be drilled in a single row with spacing of less than 0.3 M and burden of 1.6 M or more shall be maintained uniformly. This arrangement will yield rock size of 3 M x 2 M cross section. A bench height of 6.0 M will be tackled in two steps. Drilling parameters: i) Drill Hole Diameter 32 MM up to 9 M Long. ii) Depth and Inclination of Drill Hole : Generally drilled vertically in an alignment, however in primary cutting in the absence of sheet joints to develop bottom level horizontal holes also are drilled. MACHINERY: Excavator (Hitachi)300 Compressor 300 Jack Hammers 32 mm Tipper Dewatering Pumps Wire Saw 1 No. 1 No. 6 No s. 2 No 1 No s 2 Nos 10

11 2.6 MINERAL PROCESSING The applicant does not possess a processing plant at the moment. The applicant will sell Granite blocks produced from the quarry to processing units located in A.P, Tamil Nadu and other part of India and also export raw Granite blocks. 2.7 SITE SERVICES Sufficient stock of spares, lubricants and fuels are maintained at the mine site for effective and optimum utilization of man power and machinery Infrastructure required for such mines like office, stores, canteen, First Aid station shelter, latrine and bath rooms have to be provided as per the Mines Rules, 1961 as a welfare amenities for mine Labourers. 2.8 EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL The mining activity will provide the job facilities to the local people. It will have 1 Mines Manager, skilled & unskilled labour about 30 persons. 11

12 3. EVALUATION OF IMPACTS 3.1 INTRODUCTION Opencast mining activity causes some adverse impacts on the surround environment unless proper environmental management plan is adopted. Selecting suitable sites for mining and adopting the guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) and Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), one can minimize the major possible impacts. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to quantify the possible environmental impacts on various features such as air, water, noise, land, ecology and socio-economies. The following aspects have been studied to identify the possible impacts while achieving the total production of 200 Cum/Year of Black Granite. The magnitude and significance of the environmental pollution caused by mining depends on method of mining, scale and concentration of mining activity. 3.2 AIR ENVIRONMENT The impacts on air environment from a mining activity depend on various factors like production capacity, machinery involved, operations and maintenance of various equipments and vehicle. Apart from these, there will be other activities associated viz transportation of mineral and waste, stocking facilities and dump management within the mine lease area that may contribute to pollution SOURCES OF DUST EMISSION Mining is carried out by open cast semi mechanized method by using jack hammer drilling & wire saw cutting and using low explosive blasting. Based on the various operations involved in the production of minerals, the various emission sources has been identified as given below. 12

13 a. Point sources b. Area sources. c. Line sources. Drilling operations of the mine are considered as point sources. Extraction of mineral from mine, are considered as area sources. Transportation of material from mining benches to various end points are considered as line sources. The impact of above sources on air environment is discussed below: a) Drilling & Blasting One the boulder is freed by removing the soil and waste rock surrounding it, a series of holes are drilled by compressed air using Jack Hammer at a regular interval of cms depending on the size of the boulder, the depth of the hole depends on the height of the boulder and the holes are drilled up to the bottom leaving about a foot at the base. The holes have to be perfectly straight and vertical so that the vertical split is obtained. Line drilling machine can be used to drill straight holes. Feather and wedges are inserted into the holes and hammered continuously applying uniform pressure and the boulder splits vertically. Similarly dressing is done and the boulder is given a rectangular shape. All the defects are avoided during the dressing stage. Diamond wire saw may also be employed to dislodge the block from the parent rock. Drill hole pattern will be uniform single lined pattern, equidistances holes from 0.33 m to 0.75 m, 4.5 m in depth. Spacing depends upon the size of the boulder, in general it 15 cms from hole to hole for better splitting. The concentrations due to low explosives blasting will be confined to a maximum distance of 10 m from the area of blasting. These concentrations will not be emitted continuously. However presence of personnel near the blasting site during blasting will be totally avoided. So, the impact of blasting on the air environment will be minimal. b) Extraction & Loading Extraction & Loading will be done by a crane and excavator and these activities of mine operation is contributing to the area source emission and the extent of influence of this operation is about 100 m 2. 13

14 c) Haulage &Transportation In the operating mine, the dressed blocks from mine face to the consumers is transported by hired trucks. The trucks will be well maintained so that exhaust smoke does not contribute abnormal values of noxious gases and unburnt hydrocarbons. The other sources of air pollution is due to the dust generated during the movement of tippers on the haul road. The above sources, which include drilling, low explosives blasting, excavation, haulage for transport of blocks will contribute to dust pollution in the air ANTICIPATED IMPACTS The impacts envisaged due to mining activity are evaluated based on various factors. The emission inventory of the pollutants is as follows, the main air pollutant would be dust or particulate matter generated by handling and transportation of Black Granite. But the impact of mining operations on air quality is minimum as mining involved method by using jackhammer drilling & wire saw cutting & low explosive blasting and as the production quantity is very less i.e Cum/Day only Dust Generation and Control The air pollutant would be dust or particulate matter generated by handling and transportation of granite blocks. The existing ambient air quality at quarry lease area is within the limits prescribed by A.P.P.C.B. The envisaged production of minerals is only 0.66 Cum/Day. The dust generated due to mining operations will be controlled by water sprinkling through water tankers 3.3 NOISE ENVIRONMENT Noise will be produced at the mine is due to operations of machinery, drilling, blasting, and movement of vehicles. The noise generated by the mining activity is dissipated within a small zone around the mine. The present noise levels at quarry lease area are within the limits prescribed by A.P.P.C.B. There is no major impact of the mining 14

15 activity on the vicinity however; pronounced effect of above noise levels will felt only near the active working area and on the personnel working in the vicinity. The impact of noise on the villages is negligible as the villages are located far from the mine site. 3.4 WATER ENVIRONMENT The Mining activity will be carried out on mound slope will not have any effect on the ground water and the static water table in this area is below 35 m Impact on Surface Water There are no major streams and rivers, which can get effected by the mining. Hence, there will be no effect on the surface water. During the present plan period quarrying will go to depth of 10 meters from the present level of mining. During the monsoon period, the rainwater, if gets stagnated, will be drained out. The benches will made with an inward slope to facilitate run off more faster on to the mine floor. Small bunds, garlands and silting tanks also will be constructed to minimize inflow muddy water which carry fine material Impact on Ground Water Mining activity will be above the BWL (35 m). Hence, there will be no effect on the ground water regime Impact on Water Quality Water quality in the buffer zone have indicted that the ground water is free from heavy metal concentration and this mining activity will not interference on the water quality Water Consumption & Wastewater Generation The water requirement for this proposed mining activity will be 6.5 KLD. Breakup details are: 15

16 Sl. No: Purpose Quantity (KLD) 1 Dust suppression purpose Domestic purpose Greenbelt purpose 1.5 Total 6.5 There is no generation & discharge of wastewater from this mine. 3.5 LAND ENVIRONMENT Various components of land environment have been identified for study of impact of the mine operations. Details of the same are given below: Solid Waste Generation Removal of weathered rock and the rock waste is the only solid waste that will be generated from this mine. Some of the material from the waste may be sorted out and used for making small blocks to be used by the local unit for making tiles. The market for tiles is good at the moment and they will offer a better substitute for marble in terms of price and quality. Some rejected and unsorted material may be used in the civil engineering projects in the vicinity of the area. The waste material can also be crushed into smaller sizes and can be used as road metal The waste generated during the five years may be dumped in the zone separately reserved for dumping along Northern Part of the quarry lease area (Within the quarry lease area). The dump will be designed in such that it will have slopes equal to the angle of repose of such material. Garland drains have to be sunk along around the leading edge of the dump. A retaining wall will be constructed around the dump to preventing the slanting of boulders Care will be taken to minimize the waste generation at the source. About 1800 m 3 /Year of waste will be generated from this mine. The waste generated will be dumped in the Northern side of the quarry lease area (within the quarry lease area) with an average height of 6 M with 45 0 slope angle will be formed Impact on Land use The mine is located in an area of 1.00 Ha. No forestland is involved. 16

17 After the operations cease, the mine spoiled area will be back field. It may not be possible to complete regain the original topography of the area. During quarrying whatever solid waste is generated shall be dumped at dumping site inside the Q.L. area. The mining lease area is not a part of any type of forest. Entire mine lease area is govt. land hence all the impact on land use is positive because aesthetic environment will not be effected, as the mine is located on a plain with some bushes. Due to opencast mining activities, the landscape will be slightly changed. There will be no land subsidence as the country is made up of hard rock. The Soil cover in this mine is almost nil and Agriculture is seen mainly in the plains in the vicinity of the lease area and the mining will not have any impact on the agricultural pattern. Only few bushes will be cleared to facilitate mining and other related activities and there are no big trees, which may have to be cut Impact of Ground vibrations Fragmentation of rock by blasting is an important operation in mining project, where hard rock occurs. Blasting will be done only when it is absolutely necessary, using low intensity explosives. Blasting of the mineral at the proposed mine will be done by using Low-density chemical explosives like ECM/ CaOH will be used. Sometimes smooth blasting may be done using silent non-explosive demolishing agents like Acconex. The ground vibrations caused by blasting will not have any affect as the mining is on a mound and the vibrations will be minimum and will not be carried too far due to the hard nature of the rock. 3.6 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT There is no adverse impacts are anticipated due to the proposed mining activity on biological environment. However, with the implementation of the environmental management measures, there will be improvement in the parameters of biological environment. 17

18 The tree species found with the core zone represent the common type of flora species along with small shrubs and bushes. Due to mining activities community structure of the vegetation will not change. Whereas diversity of plant species and food web index of the area reduced to certain extent. However, if the proposed reclamation of the mining area and dumped out area using proper re-vegetation techniques and development of green belt around the ultimate limit and roadside there shall be an improvement in the species diversity and food web index compared to the existing level. 3.7 SOCIO- ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT No Rehabilitation The mine area does not cover any habitation. Hence the mining activity does not involve any displacement of human settlement. No public buildings, places, monuments etc. exist within the lease area or in the vicinity. The mining operations will not disturb/ relocate any village or need resettlement. Thus no adverse impact is anticipated Improvement in Socio Economic Status It will be obvious to assume that the activities of the mining operations have to be produced some improvements in the socio-economic levels in the study area. The Lessee will provide employment to local population and it will give preference to the local people whenever there is requirement of manpower. The proposed mining activities will provide employment to persons of different skills and trades. The local population is the largest plausibility among these employees. The employment potential ameliorated economic conditions of these families directly and provided employment to many other families indirectly who are involved in business and service oriented activities. This in-turn will improve the socio-economic conditions of the area. 18

19 3.7.3 Occupational Health and Safety The mine is going to be developed mainly semi mechanized opencast method by using jackhammer drilling & wire saw cutting & low explosive blasting. No major crushing or pulverization will be done here. The small-scale mining will not have any ill effects on the health of labour. Excessive dust and noise are the chief health hazards for the miners. As already mentioned these causative factors are well within the safety limits and the proponents will strictly implement the prescribed safety measures. The health of the workers will be regularly checked and suitable medical facilities should be created on or close to the site. Highest safety will be ensured in the working conditions of the miners. 19

20 4. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 4.1 INTRODUCTION The mining development in the study area needs to intertwined with judicious utilization natural resources within the limits of permissible assimilative capacity. The assimilative capacity of the study area is the maximum amount of pollution load that can be discharged in the environment without affecting the designated use and is governed by dilution, dispersion and removal due to natural physio-chemical and biological processes. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is required to ensure sustainable development in the study area. This chapter covers the genesis of pollution, the principal sources of pollution, the nature of pollution, the proposed measures required for meeting the prevailing statutory requirements of gaseous emissions, wastewater discharge characteristics, noise levels etc. for environmental management purpose in connection with the mining and mining related activities in the study area. This section discusses the management plan for mitigation/abatement impacts and enhancement of beneficial impacts due to mining. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been designed within the framework of various Indian legislative and regulatory requirements on environmental and socio-economic aspects. Environmental Management Plan giving the environmental protection measures at mine to meet the stipulated norms of IBM/MoEF are as detailed. 4.2 AIR POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES The present ambient air quality measurements in the mine area are well within the limits. Due to the proposed production of 200 Cum /Year of Black Granite, there will be marginal increase in dust concentrations. 20

21 Mitigative measures suggested for air pollution control are based on the baseline ambient air quality monitoring data. From the point of view of maintenance of an acceptable ambient air quality in the region, it is desirable that air quality should be monitored on a regular basis to check it vis-à-vis the standards prescribed by CPCB and in cases of noncompliance appropriate mitigative measures shall be adopted. The following dust prone areas are identified for adopting proper control measures in the mine area. i) Drilling & Wire Saw Cutting & Blasting ii) Excavation iii) Transportation The environmental control measures which will be implemented to control the fugitive dust released from the proposed production are given below: Wet drilling system & Dust proof Optima Wire Saw Cutting (using water reduces dust) Use of sharp drill bits for drilling holes. The charge concentration of the explosives will be between grams per linear meter. Water sprinkling arrangements such as specially fabricated tankers mounted on tipper are deployed at mine site to control the fugitive dust generation from the haulage roads. Regular grading of haul roads and service roads to clear accumulation of loose material The blasted blocks (temporary) are wetted by spraying water Avoiding blasting during high windy periods, night times and temperature inversion periods. Excavation operations are suspended during periods of very strong winds. Massive afforestation for control of dust Spraying of water on sub grade stacks 21

22 The vehicles and machinery are kept in well-maintained condition so that emission of fugitive constituents is minimized. Plantation of wide leaf trees, creepers, tall grass around working pit, along roads will help suppress dust. Tall trees with an average height of 5 m will be developed all along the boundary of the lease area to minimize the dispersion of the dust from the mining. Periodical monitoring of air quality to take steps to control the pollutants OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES All the precautions would be adopted to prevent dust generation at site and to be dispersed into the outer environment. However, for the safety of workers at site, engaged at strategic locations/dust generation points like drilling, loading and unloading points, etc., dust masks would be provided. Dust masks would prevent inhalation of RSPM thereby reducing the risk of lung diseases and other respiratory disorders. Regular health monitoring of workers will be carried out. 4.3 NOISE POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES The ambient noise level monitoring is carried out in and around the proposed mine shows that ambient noise levels are well within the stipulated limits of CPCB. Noise generation may be for an instant, intermittent or for continuous periods, with low to high decibels. Periodic inspection and checks of the risk prone areas and equipments have to be conducted. To control noise pollution during the proposed mining operations following steps will be practiced. The noise generated by the machinery will be reduced by proper lubrication of the machinery and equipment. The workers employed should be provided with personal hearing protection equipment, with earmuffs and earplugs combined, as a protection from the high noise level generated at the plant site. 22

23 The provision of green barrier along the boundary will further reduce the propagation of noise level generated. Limiting time exposure of workers to excessive noise. Speed of trucks entering or leaving the mine is limited to moderate speed of 25 kmph to prevent undue noise from empty tippers. Safety in Blasting Care should be taken to evacuate the mining area completely at the time of low explosive blasting operations. The blasting team should be equipped with all personal safety and precautionary measure. The following safety measures will be given attention while conducting the blasting operations. A blasting SIREN should be used at the time of blasting for audio signal. Before blasting and after blasting, red & green flags should be displayed as visual signals. Warning notice boards indicating the time of blasting and NOT TO TRESPASS are displayed prominently. 4.4 WATER POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES The action program for minimizing adverse affects on water regime is to prevent washoff of mine water and uncontrolled run-off water during monsoon. Proposed measures for this are as follows: a) Building/extending of retention/toe walls at the foot of the dumps b) Construction of Garland drains along the slopes to divert the rainwater course away from the dumping areas. c) Covering of dump slopes with grass plantation to stabilize and prevent erosion. d) Plantation of trees along the ridges and slopes. 4.5 LAND ENVIRONMENT The Dhanbad declaration on Environmental Management in Mining Industry states It is imperative that in order to ensure the continued and sustained progress of the mining 23

24 industry in India, the environmental dimensions should be integrated into the planning, design, development, operation and working practices of quarry on scientific and rational lines, by the Governments and the industry in a mutually reinforcing manner. The land related Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been presented here under two sections viz., Soil & Water conservation and Afforestation. Storage and Reuse of Top Soil: Topsoil removed during clearing of the area for granite extraction shall be stacked separately to check the erosion of the stacked soil. A retaining wall shall be constructed all around the topsoil stockyard. Planting of grass and local species etc., are proposed on the surface of this stack to prevent erosion and to increase the soil nitrogen. As per the analysis of the soil samples they are found to be basic in nature. During afforestation, it is recommended to plant fast growing species with good canopy cover and dense leaf density and some ornamental species to give a good aesthetic look. It is recommended to sow neem, mango any plants as soil and climatic conditions are suitable for the growth of these plants. Solid Waste Management Removal of weathered rock and the rock waste is the only solid waste that will be generated from this mine. Some of the material from the waste may be sorted out and used for making small blocks to be used by the local unit for making tiles. The market for tiles is good at the moment and they will offer a better substitute for marble in terms of price and quality. Some rejected and unsorted material may be used in the civil engineering projects in the vicinity of the area. The waste material can also be crushed into smaller sizes and can be used as road metal The waste generated during the five years may be dumped in the zone separately reserved for dumping along Northern Part of the quarry lease area (Within the quarry lease area). The dump will be designed in such that it will have slopes equal to the angle of repose of such material. Garland drains have to be sunk along around the leading edge of the dump. A retaining wall will be constructed around the dump to preventing the slanting of boulders Care will be taken to minimize the waste generation at the source. 24

25 About 1800 m 3 /Year of waste will be generated from this mine. The waste generated will be dumped in the Northern side of the quarry lease area (within the quarry lease area) with an average height of 6 M with 45 0 slope angle will be formed. Stabilization and vegetation of dumps: The dumps will be stabilized and shaped trapezoidally. The angle of repose will be in such a manner that the run off of material will be avoided. The trench will be dug around the dump to avoid run off. The dumps will be safe-guarded by plantation of trees along the slope and of the soil cover area. In first five years, it is planned to undertake plantation of 50 trees per year on the slope of the dump, depending on facilities available. Land Restoration/Reclamation: Land restoration or reclamation of the area is very essential in any mining industry. Proper measures adopted during restoration will control most of the adverse environmental impacts of Quarry and also improve the aesthetic beauty of the area. Due to the Quarry activities in this area the profile of the ground will change due to formation of pits. At the end of the Quarry operations, the top soil/mineral rejects will be utilized for back filling wherever suitable and rehabilitated. Following steps shall be taken for improving and protecting the environment. a) Quarry lease area b) Surrounding the Quarry lease area. c) Surrounding the statutory buildings d) On the undisturbed virgin lease area. Surrounding the Mining area The dust generated during the quarrying operations will be carried by wind and will be deposited over the trees and on the adjacent area around the quarry in the buffer zone. To filter this dust, a green belt of 10m width shall be developed along the quarry lease area i.e., around ultimate pit limit, this green belt will also act as sound barrier. In between the tree saplings, grass and bushes shall be grown. Creation of the green belt around the lease 25

26 areas shall be undertaken on priority basis and shall be completed concurrent to Quarry over a 10-year period. Surrounding the statutory buildings All around the proposed statutory buildings and along the road sides trees shall be planted in addition to the existing ones which will protect the workers from the noise and dust. To plant trees around the statutory buildings, the topsoil that is going to be mined from the area shall be laid to form a strip of 10-15m width and 0.5m thickness. On the undisturbed virgin lease area: The undisturbed virgin lease area shall be utilized for afforestation purposes by developing the area with local varieties. This work shall be done after the cessation of Quarry operations. Afforestation Plan: Local trees like neem, Mango, Casuarinas, Eucalyptus, tamarind etc will be planted along the lease boundary and avenues as well as over Non-active dumps at a rate of 30 trees per annum with interval 5m in between. The rate of survival expected to be 80% in this area. Land use and Afforestation Plan is given. Year Place Types of Trees Number Rate of Survival I Lease Boundary Neem, Tamarind, Teak etc II Lease Boundary Neem, Tamarind, Teak etc III Lease Boundary Neem, Tamarind, Teak etc IV Lease Boundary Neem, Tamarind, Teak etc V Lease Boundary Neem, Tamarind, Teak etc The area that is not suitable for raising the plantation. However, plantation will be taken up at the site services, office and on both sides of road where some soil cover exists. Apart from the green belts and aesthetic plantation for eliminating fugitive emissions and noise control, all other massive plantation efforts shall be decided and executed with the 26

27 assistance and co-operation of the local community. Based on the community needs the afforestation would mainly aim at: a) Protection & Development of Natural Vegetation b) Protection of soil erosion c) Plantations of fuel wood blocks to meet the energy requirements. 4.6 SOCIO ECONOMIC BENEFITS There is positive impact on socio-economics of people living in the villages. The villages in buffer zone depend upon agriculture. Mining operations in the subject area has positive impact by providing direct and indirect job opportunities. There will be indirect employment opportunities in transportation of ore to destination. 4.7 POST PROJECT MONITORING The Lessee will monitor the environmental parameters as per APPCB/IBM/CPCB guidelines 4.8 IMPLEMENTATION OF EMP & MONITORING PROGRAMME The environment management plan is detailed on the basis of impact assessment. Control and mitigation measures for the adverse impacts envisaged. As the major environmental attributes have been confined to the project area alone, implementations of the proposed control measures and monitoring thereof will be undertaken on the regional basis. The Lessee will ensure the implementation of the measures within the mine area and carryout efficient monitoring. In order to implement the measures suggested for mitigating the adverse impacts on the environment, it is suggested to monitor the environmental parameters regularly. The details of investments to carryout the regular monitoring and pollution control measures are given below in table 2. 27

28 Table 2: Cost of Environmental Protection Measures (in Rs.) Capital Recuring Sl.No Description Item Cost Cost 1 Air Pollution Water Pollution Noise Pollution Occupational Health & Safety Nose Marks 120 No's - Cloth for drillers 30 no 2.0 m each. - Gunny bags for covering the surface of jackhammer - holes Road wetting and plant water feeding Plantation on road side plus maintenance Construction of garland drains Construction of check dams Construction of retaining wall for waste dump Maintenance of machinery suitably Rs per 3 months PPE s like Ear muffs Rs. 15 each Providing First aid kits 2No s and fire extinguishers 5 No s Providing Personal protective equipments to all employees (hand gloves, safety shoe and helmets) 2, , , , , Remarks Replaceable, and cost can increase with time Issued thrice in a year As and when needed Water tanker two tankers per day for 8 months 35, , Re-plant the nonsurviving plants 120, , Once only (For manual de-silting) Once in year, cost 60, , incurred is to buy sand bags and filling sand Cost of construction 140, , of wall around the dip side of the dump. 40, , Included in main cost 8, , Once in six months 8, , , , Once in year, replace by conducting periodical checkup Included in air pollution and noise pollution 28

29 5 6 Environmental monitoring CSR Activities Training and awareness programs on risk factors during emergencies by the experts Periodical medical checkup and supply of medicines Rs. 200 per head Ambient air quality studies Once in six months 3 locations Water quality studies Once a year 3 Locations Noise studies once in six months 3 Locations Vibration studies Once in year 1 location For providing School uniform, Books and health camp etc. 15, , , , , , , , , , TOTAL 616, , Once in six months and create sign boards about the risk and safety precautions regularly Once in a year and supply of medicines for every three months MoEF /NABL recognized laboratories The applicant will adhere to all the terms & conditions laid in respect of safe working keeping in view of the sustainable Environmental Management and will comply with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act-1986, The Mines Act-1952 & Mineral Conservation & Development Rules-1988 and any other Rules notified from time to time. 29

30 CONCLUSIONS, SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS The Mining method proposed as per the approved Mining Plan from Dept. of Mines & Geology is small-scale semi mechanical mining activities without deployment of deep hole drilling and use of Heavy machinery. The actual method of mining Black Granite is by slicing. Based on the appraisal of the existing environmental scenario coupled with the assessment studies carried out, it is concluded that there is no long term environmental impact due to the Black Granite quarry at the lease area. The particulate matter getting airborne from the mining activity gets dispersed in close proximity itself and settles down early. The noise levels due to the proposed quarry activity are also not of a higher order that calls for immediate corrective measures. The ground water analysis indicates that the sources do not get influx of pollutants from the quarry activity. There is positive socio-economic front in the surrounding region due to the proposed mining industry. The practice of afforestation scheme is a step in the right direction towards achieving ecological balance. Suggestions/Recommendations Even though there is no perceptible impact from the quarry activity on the environment of the region, it is imperative that mitigative measures have got to be implemented on full scale for creating environmental balance and intern maintain the ecology of the region. The following suggestions/recommendations merit due consideration in this regard. As no control over wind can be exercised, the frequency of the dust suppression measures like constant watering of the haul roads shall be practiced. Afforestation as envisaged in the mining plan is to be carried out so that it not only enhances the green canopy but also stop the spread of dust particles and air borne pollutants. Surface water conservation measures and groundwater recharge be given high priority. 30