1.0 INTRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN The Environment Management Plan has been developed with a view to bring down the levels of impacts during proposed mining activities In each of the areas of impact, measures have to be taken to reduce potentially significant adverse impacts and where these are beneficial in nature, such impacts are to be enhanced/ augmented so that the overall adverse impacts are reduced to as low level as possible. Measures to be taken for each of the impact areas are detailed in the following paras: 2.0 LAND Land degradation and ecological disturbances generally occurs in open cast mining. Open cast method of mining causes some land degradation and disturbs the ecology of the area. While preparing the Environment management plan emphasis has been laid on restoring the ecology of the area as much as is possible. This has been made possible by planning the mine workings in the most systematic, safe and scientific manner with due regard to conservation of mineral. Degradation of land is not a very significant adverse impact in present mining of as no fragile Zone is present.creation of access roads, mining operations, transportation of mined out material may have some impact on surrounding environment. In order to prevent the environmental degradation of leased mine area and its surroundings, the following measures shall be taken; Operations during daylight only. Mining will be done in steps and geological formation is having slopes. There is no structure in the lease area.mining activity will be done manually. Movement of the vehicles on the road will be increased; however, non metalled road leading to stone mining area will be sprinkled with water at regular intervals. In addition to prevent spillage by trucks/tractor trolley, over loading should be controlled along with speed limit. 2.1 PLANS FOR LAND ENVIRONMENT The total excavated area at the end of 5 years mining scheme comprised of 1.28 Ha in lease area of 4.362 Ha. Total 2.837 Ha. of the excavated lease area will be backfilled leveled and made suitable for agriculture and during mine lease period 1.28 Ha will be reclaimed. At the time of closure of present mine scheme, plantation on 0.20 Hectares will be done. Mining is proposed by opencast manual mining method. A total 200 No. plants will be planted up to the end of life of mine covering an area of 0.20 Ha. Minimum land should be used for mining and allied activities. The planning for mining has been done systematically by Bench formation to minimize the land degradation. 1
2.2 POST MINING (CONCEPTUAL) LAND PATTERN OF ML AREA (HA.) The area to be occupied due to mining by the end of 5 th year is about 1.28Ha. by the end of the present mining scheme about 2.837 Ha area shall be covered by mining & all the excavated area shall be backfilled/reclaimed. 2.3 POST MINING LAND USE The area will be restored after fillings the benches by top soil and waste material and plantation will be done. 3.0 MITIGATION MEASURES INCORPORATED INTO THE PROJECT TO MEET ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS 3.1 AIR POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES The proposed mining operations are not anticipated to raise the concentration of the pollutants beyond prescribed limits. However, the following measures would be adopted to mitigate the SPM levels in ambient air. Dust particles generated during various mining activities when become airborne lead to increase in PM10 & PM2.5 level in the ambient air. The major source of dust generation is the transport of material by trucks and tractor trolleys. Adequate control measures shall be taken during mining operations as well as transportation of minerals. The following steps shall be adopted to prevent air pollution due to airborne dust. Dust mask provided to the workers engaged at dust generation points like excavations, loading and unloading points. The only air pollution sources are the vehicular movements. The dust suppression measures like water spraying will be done on kachha roads. Overloading will be prevented. The trucks/ tractor trolley will be covered by tarpaulin covers. Ambient Air quality monitoring once in three month at project site and nearby villages. 3.2 NOISE POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES As there will be no heavy earth moving machinery, there will not be any major impact on noise level due to sand mining and other association activities. Blasting technique is not used for soapstone lifting, hence no possibility of land vibration. It was found that the proposed mining activity will not have any significant impact on the noise environment of the region. The only impact will be due to transportation of soapstone by trucks and tractor trolleys. As the only impact is due to transportation of soapstone to the stone crushing unit, the following control measures shall be taken to keep the ambient noise levels well within limits: Minimum use of horns and speed limit of 10 kmph in the village area. Timely maintenance of vehicles and their silencers to minimize vibration and sound. Phasing out of old and worn out trucks/tractors. 2
Care will be taken to produce minimum sound during soapstone loading. Noise level monitoring with a frequency once in three month during mining operation period at nearby receptors. 3.3 MEASURES FOR MINIMIZING ADVERSE EFFECT ON WATER REGIME There is no chance to toxic contamination or water pollution from the mining of soapstone. No noticeable change is expected and quality of water will remain potable. 3.3.1 Garland Drainage/ Earthen Mound Since it is an open case manual mine in which the working pit is open to sky, it is necessary that the rain water falling outside the edge limit of the working pit should not be allowed to enter into the pit. For this purpose about 5 m away from the proposed workings, garland, over burden mix mound wall is provided around the working pit to check any inflow of water. 3.3.2 Surface Water Management The existing surface of the area is undulated and rugged with gentle slope. There is no surface water bodies/nalla crossing the mine lease area. The nearest water body is Gadelikhet Gadhera which is at a distance of 100 m from Mine lease area and ultimately falls in river Saryu. The slopes in the area varies from moderate to gentle. The garland, over burden mix mound wall is provided around the working pit to check any inflow of water inside the pit. 3.3.3 Ground Water Management The water table in hills is usually very deep and does not have any relevance with mining activities. However concurrent restoration will be done for original topography. Further no significant impact on water quality is anticipated as material exposed will be magnesite and dolomite. Water will be supplied from spring or water source of nearby village. 3.3.4 Waste Water Management Eco-friendly Mobile Toilet will be provided for the disposal of domestic effluent. No waste water generation is envisaged during the mining process. No toxic material is encountered in the deposit. The mine drainage, if any, will not be harmful to the biotic life. Adequate control measures will be adopted to check not only the wash-off from soil erosion but also uncontrolled flow of mine water. 4.0 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT The waste generated during the proposed period will be dump at earmarked site and same will be backfilled in excavated area at the end of life of mine. Retaining wall around the waste/top soil dump yard will be constructing to arrest the waste and garland drain is made to flow of water. The topsoil will be stacked and utilized in plantation purpose within the lease area pits and for backfilling. Mining is proposed in two pits Pit I & Pit-II having soil cover 0 to 0.75m and separate areas are selected for stacking of waste in external dump and stacking of top soil adjacent to the mining pits. Since these external dumps will be for temporary period and as soon as space in the mining pits will be available and mineral will be excavated waste will be backfilled and top soil will be spread over backfilled area. 3
These external dumps of waste dump and top soil will also be subsequently vacated and backfilling will be done in the space created in the mining pits. At all the times it is necessary that top soil will not be allowed to mix with waste rock. Separate stacking will be done, it will also be done separately so that precious top soil is not properly conserved and utilized at all he stages of stacking and backfilling. Since the land chosen for disposal of waste is mineralized land and also cultivated land therefore, the land will be ultimately vacated and utilized for mineral excavation and also for cultivation. The quantities of top soil & over burden to be generated at the blocks of five years up to the end of lease period are as below: Year Soil (Tonnes) Interburden (Tonnes) First 698 4946 Second 424 11239 Third 496 11375 Forth 560 12302 Fifth 352 12382 Total 2530 52244 Source: Approved mine plan. Local fast growing species like Rambas, Hisalu, Kilmora etc. shall be planted over top soil & sub soil stacks for the stabilization of stacks. 5.1 LAND RECLAMATION The area to be occupied due to mining by the end of 5th year is 1.8 ha. By the end of the lease period about 2.837 ha area will be covered by mining & all the excavated area shall be backfilled/reclaimed ultimately there will be no any pit, road, dumps & stacks & all the area will be backfilled & brought to its maximum original topography & will be used for agriculture purpose. (Source: Approved Mine plan) 6.0 Biological Environment 6.1 Mitigation of Impacts on Biological Environment There is a requirement to establish a stable ecosystem with both ecological and economic returns. Minimization of soil erosion and dust pollution enhances the beauty of the core and the buffer zone. To achieve this it is planned to increase plantation activities. The basic objectives of plantations are as follows:- Improvement of Soil quality Quick vegetative cover to check soil erosion Conservation of biological diversity Provide forage and browse for wild life 4
6.2 Measures to Control Impact on Flora Since there is no important species which are in endangered of flora observed in core zone, so no adverse impacts on flora is anticipated, therefore measures are not required. 6.3 Measures to Control Impact on Fauna No endangered faunal diversity is found in the area, therefore measures are not required. 7.0 AFFORESTATION PROGRAMME During first five years plantation shall be undertaken over benap land and it is outside the mine lease area. Plantation at the block of five year period up to the end of lease period is as below: During first five years plantation will be undertaken over Van Panchayat land and it is outside the mine lease area. Plantation at the block of five year period up to the end of lease period is as below: Years Area (ha) No. of Saplings 1 0.04 40 I I 40 0.04 50 40 III 0.04 40 IV 0.04 40 V 0.04 40 Total 0.20 200 Agava sisilana will be planted as soil binder. Local native species like Peach (Khubani), Kafal, Apricot (Aaru), Faliyat, Hisalu, Buransh, Kilmora, etc. shall be plantedwith consultation of with Forest Department Officials. The survival rate of the plants shall be 60%. Post Plantation care will be rendered in terms of protection from grazing, fire, Pest, watering during dry spell & replacement of plant by healthy sapling, if required. 8.0 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goal of all occupational health and safety programs is to foster a safe work environment. To control and minimize the risks at workplace, proponent implements Health, Safety and Environment Policy with the following objectives: To prevent hazards To provide safe and healthy environment to all the employees. The Proponent therefore, adopts the policy set below for the purpose of creating and maintaining safe and healthy environment. 5
8.1 Occupational Health Hazards at Mine Site Mining activity experiences risk of a number of hazards. Some examples of such hazards are as under: Exposure to dust Noise exposure; Physical Hazards; Vehicular movements. These mainly impact on those working within the mine although health hazards can also impact on local communities. 8.2 Implementation of Occupational Health and Safety Measures Occupational Health & Safety measures result in improving the conditions under which workers are employed and work. It improves not only their physical efficiency, but also provides protection to their life and limb. Proponent will consider the following safety measures: To depute dedicated safety team Inspection and maintenance of equipment's and accessories Periodic health check up Removal of unsafe conditions and prevention of unsafe acts Detailed analysis of each and every incident To provide standard PPEs and ensure its uses Periodic inspection by internal and external safety experts Celebrations of various safety events for awareness Medical facilities & first aid boxes will be established is the mine premises 8.3 Safety Policy Safety of both men and materials is accorded maximum priority in the mine. An occupational health and safety policy has been framed with the following objectives. In general following measure are been done. To improve working conditions and environment: To propagate safety measures and create safety consciousness among workmen, supervisors and officials. To train workmen as well as the supervisors in their respective fields of operations; To reduce the scope of accidents and to aim at accident free performance: To adopt measures for improvement in health standards: To ensure that no long term effects on health due to industrial environment take place. To ensure that all statutory provisions relating to safety are followed. 9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM The project proponent shall set up an Environmental Management Committee as laid down below and also proposes the Environmental Monitoring Plan for the regular monitoring of the pollution load. The EMC has the responsibility for liasoning with state and central governmental environmental authorities for enforcing environmental legislation, environmental protection, and control. 6
The duties of the EMC will include the following: 1. Environmental monitoring of the project site and the surrounding area. 2. Ensuring that standards for pollution control are well maintained. 3. Developing the green belt. 4. Ensuring water use is minimized. 5. Carrying out the Environmental Management Plan. 6. Organizing meetings of the Environmental Management Committee and reporting to the committee. 7. To ensure proper funding for implementing EMP. The proponent will follow the standard methods for monitoring various environmental parameters i.e. Air, Water, Noise, and Soil through accredited laboratory and submit the compliance report as per EC conditions applicability. Monitoring Schedule for Environmental Parameters Particulars Monitoring frequencies Imp. monitoring parameters Surface Water Twice in a year ph, SS, TDS, Iron, Cl, Hardness, alkalinity, NO 3, PO 4 Ambient Air Quality Twice in a year PM10, PM2.5, SO 2 & NOx Soil Analysis Twice in a year ph conductivity SO 4, NO 3, PO 4 texture, Alkalinity Noise Twice in a year Noise level in dba 10.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT The lessee has not only taken keen interest in the socio-economic upliftment of the area but also served as a helping hand to the local people and Government also. The lessee made various efforts for the local development mainly by paying more attention in the fields of agricultural, medical, & primary health, drinking water, literacy. The applicant also plans for conducting some cultural activities, sports and games during major festivals for the staff, workers and people of the nearby area. Better education facilities, proper health care, road infrastructure and drinking water facilities are basic social amenities for better living standard of any human being. Proponent will help to enhance all basic facilities in the area, which will help in uplifting the living standards of local communities. About 52 persons shall be employed at mine site and local villagers are to be benefited directly or indirectly by the project. 7
Proposed Action Plan Towards of social economic development General Development of the area 1 st year 2 nd year 3 rd year 4 th year 5 th year 2020-2025 Expenditur e Proposed (in Rs.) - - - - - - - Housing 20,000 22000 23,000 25,000 28,000 30,000 - Water Supply 15,000 16000 17,000 18,000 19,000 20,000 - Sanitation 20,000 21000 23,000 24,000 27,000 30,000 - Health, safety & Medical Facilities 20,000 22000 24,000 26,000 29,000 30,000 - Education & Training 30,000 31000 32,000 25,000 28,000 60,000 - Employment to local inhabitants, Land owner compensation, Supervisor & Headers etc. Public Transportation & Communication 80,000 83000 85,000 87,000 90,000 1,00,000-20,000 22000 23,000 24,000 27,000 30,000 - Recreation & other sports activities 20,000 22000 25,000 27,000 32,000 50,000 - Other (Compensation to land owners) 21750 0 - - - - 1,42,500 - Expenditure In curred (in Rs.) Source: Approved Mine plan The amount to be invested for social development in the surrounding areas is given above: 10.1 Economic repercussions of closure of mine and manpower retrenchments: All the workers being employed are contractor labours. The local residents will earn significant amount of money due to mining activities. It will change their life style. Due to closure of mine, it will create positive impact on the economy of the workers for their survival. Those earning good money will get some occupation for survival of their families. The literate workers will move here and there for the search of job. In the overall view the closure of mine will give good impact on the society and surrounding areas. Remarks Expenditure will incurred as the maintenance of houses, tent houses for the workers and maintenance of water line. Salary for community teachers For the maintenance of PWD road and cementation of foot track. Organizing sports, Ramleela and other cultural activities. Salary for community teachers 8
11.0 CONCEPTUAL MINE CLOSURE PLAN It is proposed in the mining plan that mining will open from higher levels and subsequently advance towards lower elevations so that concurrent reclamation will be undertaken to restore the topography of area. By the end of the lease period about 2.837 ha area will be covered by mining & all the excavated area shall be backfilled/reclaimed. The backfilled area will be again used for agriculture purpose. A) Post mining reclamation. The reclamation by back filling of the excavated pit will be started after exhausting the proposed dumping space. The total reclaimed area will be 1.28 Hectares. B) Post Mining Plantation The reclamation by back filling of the excavated pit will be started after exhausting the proposed dumping space. The waste dumps would be stabilized by growing trees and bushes etc. It will increase aesthetic beauty of the area. In Ultimate life, of the mine, a green belt of 0.20 Hectares will be developed. 12. OVERALL JUSTIFICATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT No Monument/Biosphere/National Park/Sanctuary etc. located within core zone & buffer zone. Method of mining is open cast with occasionally, semi-mechanization and restricted up to maximum 9m depth only. Waste accumulated and generated will be partly backfilled at the earmarked dump sites and the remaining will be backfilled, after the complete excavation of mineral. Water requirement is 1.5 KLD. No forest land and no rehabilitation/resettlement are involved in the mining lease area. No ecologically sensitive area is located in the study area. The development of the project will generate rural employment in the area. The mining project will generate revenue to the State Govt. in the form of royalty and other taxes. The applicant has agreed to implement all the recommendations given in report as well as put by SEAC/SEIAA constituted by Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, as deemed fit and necessary. 9