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Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 INTRODUCTION
SAIL’s iron & flux mines are spread over the states of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chattisgarh and
Madhya Pradesh. These mines are operated as captive sources of raw materials for its
integrated steel plants. Operations of SAIL’s mines in Jharkhand, Orissa and Madhya
Pradesh are controlled by Raw Materials Division (RMD) of SAIL. The limestone mining
project of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine located in Katni District of Madhya Pradesh State was
started in 1973 as a captive source of limestone for use as flux mainly in the Steel Melting
Shops (SMS) of Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL). In the year 1990, the mine was brought under
RMD, SAIL with a view to supply limestone to other SAIL steel plants. The Kuteshwar
Limestone Mine consists of two mining leases on the two flanks of river Chhoti Mahanadi i.e.
Right Bank Lease and Left Bank Lease. The present combined production capacity of both
the leases under Kuteshwar Limestone Mine is 0.9 Million Tonnes per Annum (MTPA). A
single Environmental Clearance has been granted by MoEF vide letter no.J-11015/34/93-1A-
II (M) dated: 16/06/1995 for both the mine leases (Right Bank Lease & Left Bank Lease).
Project Proposal
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Raw Materials Division (RMD) intends to enhance
production from Right Bank Lease of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine to 2.32 MTPA ROM to
meet the increased demand of limestone from SAIL plants. The proposal also envisages
setting up of Crushing & Screening Plant of 450 TPH capacity in addition to the existing 200
TPH Crushing & Screening Plant. At present, the limestone from this mine is transported by
road up to Khanna Banjari Railway Siding located at 14 km from the mine lease area, for
dispatch the ore to steel plants by rail. To avoid the traffic load for mineral transportation
from mine to Khanna Banjari Railway Siding, it is proposed to extend the existing railway
siding at Khanna Banjari Railway Station up to the Mine lease area and switch over to
mechanized loading of railway wagons.
Right Bank Lease of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine covering an area of 944.89 ha is located in
Marwa, Jararoda and Gairtalai villages in Vijayraghavgarh tehsil, Katni District, Madhya
Pradesh. The mine lease area falls in Survey of India Topo Sheet No.63 D/16 & 64 A/13.
Mining Plan of Right Bank Lease for the 2nd renewal period is approved by IBM vide letter
No. 314(3)/2002-MCCM (CZ)/MP-7 dated 12-06-2003. 3rd Scheme of Mining (SOM) for the
project is approved by IBM vide letter No. 314(3)/2011-MCCM (CZ)/MP-S-10/1164 dated 09-
09-2011 (for period 2011-12 to 2015-16) for producing 2.32 MTPA ROM Limestone.
RMD, SAIL has applied to Ministry of Environment & Forests for Environmental Clearance
(EC) for increase in production. MoEF has issued Terms of Reference for carrying our EIA
studies to obtain EC vide letter No. J-11015/449/2012-IA.II (M), dated 30th April, 2013.
Table 1: Salient Features of the Project
Details of The Area:
Village, Tehsil, District & State
Gairtalai, Marwa & Jhararoda Villages,
Vijayraghavgarh Tehsil, Katni District, Madhya
Pradesh
Mine lease area 944.89 ha
Type of Land Govt. Revenue Land (232.7 ha) & Private land
(712.19 ha) duly compensated
Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
ii
Topo sheet No 63 D/16 & 64A/13
Latitude & Longitude Latitude : 23°58’25.73” to 24°00’07.56”N
Longitude: 80°49’34.12” to 80°52’01.14”E
Cost of the Project Rs. 226.00 Crore
General Climatic Conditions
Maximum Temperature (Annual) 45.2°C
Minimum Temperature (Annual) 04.0°C
Annual Rainfall (Average) 808.8 mm
Wind Pattern during study period Northwest during Summer Season 2013
Elevation above mean sea level 312 m to 350 m AMSL
Environmental Sensitivity
Archaeological/ Historically Important
Site None within 10 km radius of the ML area
Sanctuaries / National Parks Bandhavgarh National Park: 11.2 km S
Important Religious & Tourist Places None within 10 km radius of the ML area
Environmental Sensitive Places
Chhoti Mahanadi River- Adjacent
Bhadar Nadi -2.8 km E
Jarjara Nallah- 5.4 km N
Gahra Nallah -3.3 km SW
Jararoda nallah - Passing through Lease area
Hardua Reserve Forest - 7.0 km NW
Karreha Reserve Forest - 6.4 km N
Bara Reserve Forest - 5.5 km NE
Open Mixed Jungle - 4.9 km SE
1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Topography & Drainage
The general ground surface level in mine lease area is about 340 m MSL. The elevation
within the mine lease area ranges between 350 m AMSL (dump top) to 312 m AMSL (quarry
bottom). The lease area is having outcrops of limestone boulders. Chhoti Mahanadi flows
along western boundary of the mine lease flowing from west to east direction before joining
the Sone River. Drainage of the study area is mainly controlled by Chhoti Mahanadi River,
Bhadar Nadi (2.8 Km E). Other major streams in the study area are Jarjara Nala (5.4km N),
Gahra Nala (3.3km SW), Jararoda nala (passing through the Mine Lease area). Most of
these streams are seasonal and are dried during summer.
The area is generally flat to moderately undulating and is intersected by some nallahs.
Reserves:
Total limestone reserves in the mine lease area (as on 1.04.2011) are 292.633 Million
tonnes, of which, proved reserves are 95.313 Million tonne, probable reserves are 183.71
Million tonnes and Feasible reserved of type 3 & type 4 are 6.22 Million Tonnes and 7.39
Million tonnes respectively.
Method of Mining:
The mining is being done by open-cast fully mechanized method of mining by deploying
heavy earth moving equipment (HEMM). All operations of mining are being done by
deployment of heavy earth moving machineries for drilling, excavation, loading and
transport. There is no change in the method of mining envisaged. After removal of Over
Burden (OB), the limestone is being mined with 6 m bench height. The width of the bench
varies from 15 to 30 m. After drilling and blasting, the blasted ore is being transported to
Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
iii
Crushing and Screening Plants for sizing and sorting to 25 - 75 mm as lumps, 10 to 25 mm
as middlings and -10 mm as fines / rejects. The sized product (lump & middlings) is
transported by a PWD road up to 5.5 km and then by State Highway No. 10 to the Khanna
Banjari Railway Siding with tipper trucks (12 /22 T capacity) for further dispatch to steel
plants. Out of the three shifts in a day, the mining is carried out in two shifts and
maintenance is being done in third shift. It is proposed to shift the railway siding to the Right
Bank Mine Lease for transportation of the mineral.
Table 2: Development and Production during Mining Scheme Period (2011-16)
Year
Excavation (cum) ROM (Tonnes)
Total
Excavation ROM IB
Total ROM
Lumps &
middling
(Product)
Fines
( -10 mm )
(Rejects)
2011-12 884,591 734,211 150,380 1835,526 1395,000 440,526
2012-13 1058,973 878,947 180,025 2197,368 1670,000 527,368
2013-14 1089,410 904,211 185,200 2260,526 1718,000 542,526
2014-15 1115,409 925,789 189,620 2314,474 1759,000 555,474
2015-16 1115,409 925,789 189,620 2314,474 1759,000 555,474
5263,792 4368,947 894,845 10922,368 8301,000 2621,368
Maximum Production and Life of Mine
By considering the annual ROM production @ 2.32 MTPA, the life of the mine will be about
41 years. The life of the mine will further increase when probable reserve will get converted
into proved reserve.
Conceptual Mine Closure Plan
After reaching the maximum feasible depth i.e. permissible depth of 60 m, the mined out
area will be backfilled up to 30 m from the surface with the dumping material and the
remaining area will be developed as water reservoir. The infrastructure like mine road, office
etc being of semi-permanent nature will be removed and reclaimed for plantation. The rest of
the area which is non-mineralized and undisturbed will also be utilized for plantation. At
conceptual stage 410.537 ha area will be rehabilitated by plantation and 189.2 ha mined out
area will be developed as surface water reservoirs.
Extent of Mechanization
IR Drills, Jack Hammer drills, Excavators, Dozers, Pay Loaders, Dumpers, crushing &
screening plants, Water Tankers, Explosive Vans, etc are deployed in the mine.
Mine Drainage
Impoundment in the Bansagar reservoir has been inundating the Chhoti Mahanadi river upto
Kuteshwar Limestone Mine area since 2006 and has resulted in increased seepage to the
working limestone quarries of the mines. The mining operations in Jararoda quarry has
stopped in the year 2008, while the work in Gairtalai has been discontinued since early
nineties. Presently, mining operations are being continued for limestone only in the Marwa
quarry under Right Bank Lease by pumping an average of about 14000 m3/day to keep the
ground water level within safe depth for mining in the quarry. The mine pit water is being
pumped into the river across the protection bund through two nos. of pipelines.
A protective ring bund of 5.1 km length encircling the limestone deposits in Right Bank
Lease of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine has been constructed to protect them from submersion
from the Bansagar reservoir or inundation during high floods of the river Chhoti Mahanadi.
Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
iv
Employment Potential:
Total manpower required after proposed expansion in production for the Kuteshwar
Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease) is 287 persons. Apart from direct employment, there will
be an indirect employment to more than 500 nos. from the project.
Township & Site Services
The Kuteshwar Limestone Mine has well established township with all basic infrastructures
to meet the residential accommodation requirement of its employees. Presently, there are
269 nos. of various types of accommodations exist at the township. In the township, there is
a dispensary, DAV School, Local Market, Shopping Complex, etc. In order to meet the
accommodation requirement of additional employees, about 54 nos. of various types of
quarters along with drainage & sewerage system is under consideration.
Mine Office, Store, Workshop, VT Centre and other facilities like First-Aid Center, Rest
Shelters, Canteen etc. are present at the mine, which will be suitably augmented to cater the
additional needs from the proposed enhancement of production. Some of the site
infrastructure buildings like, RCC framed Pump cum Compressor House, Electrical Room
cum Office Building, Magazine, Administrative Building, etc. will be constructed as per the
statutory requirement.
Water Requirement
Water in the mine is mainly required for dust suppression, workshop, plantation & domestic
purpose. Presently about 335 m3/day of water is used for both industrial & domestic
purposes at the mine. About 165 m3/day is used for dust suppression, vehicle washing and
plantation purpose, which is being supplied from mine pit water. About 170 m3/day is used
for domestic purpose both at Mine Site & Township, which is supplied from Bore Wells.
After, proposed expansion, the total water requirement will be around 600 m3/day. Of this,
300 m3/day water for dust suppression, workshop and plantation will be supplied from mine
pit and 300 m3/day water for drinking and domestic use will be supplied from bore well.
1.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Study Period: Summer season 2013 (March - May, 2013)
Meteorological Data (Summer Season- 2013 )
Parameters Data
Maximum temperature (°C) 45.2 °C
Minimum temperature (°C) 13.6 °C
Maximum Relative Humidity (%) 86%
Minimum Relative Humidity (%) 21%
Predominant wind direction NW
Average Wind Speed (m/s) 1.44
Calm winds frequency (%) 14.09
1.3.1 Ambient Air Quality
Existing Ambient air quality was monitored in summer season 2013 at 10 locations in the
study area including 3 locations in the mine lease area and 7 locations in the buffer zone.
Pre-calibrated R.D. Samplers were used for monitoring the existing ambient air quality
status. The summary of Ambient Air Quality test results are given below.
Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
v
Table 3: Summary of Ambient Air Quality results (Maximum values)
Station Code PM10
(µg/m3) PM2.5
(µg/m3) SO2
(µg/m3) NOX
(µg/m3) CO
(mg/m3)
A1, Near Mine Office 84.8 32.1 14.4 20.9 1.5
A2, Near Haulage Road 82.6 36.8 15.0 22.8 1.6
A3, Mine Township 59.8 17.5 9.8 14.5 1.0
A4, Kuteshwar Village 67.6 23.3 10.6 14.0 0.8
A5, Amatara village 67.2 20.5 13.0 15.1 0.8
A6, Gairtalai village 62.3 20.1 13.6 15.0 1.5
A7, Amarpur village 54.2 20.8 13.0 17.8 1.0
A8, Salaiya village 51.3 18.5 12.4 18.2 1.0
A9, Koyalari village 51.2 17.2 11.9 15.2 0.9
A10, Barahi Town 71.2 24.5 14.2 16.4 0.8
A11, Near Left Bank Lease 50.3 19.1 12.2 16.8 1.6
NAAQ Standard 100 60 80 80 2 (8 hour)
1.3.2 Ambient Noise Level
Ambient noise level monitoring was carried out at 10 locations i.e. 3 location in mine lease
area and 7 locations in buffer zone during the study period, to identify the noise scenario in
the area. Summary of noise level data of monitored locations is given below.
Table 4 : Noise Levels During Study Period [Units: Db (A)]
S. No.
Location Day Time Noise Levels Night Time Noise Levels
Min Max Ld Min Max Ln
N-1 Near Mine Office 55.2 68.5 64.0 54.5 59.5 56.3
N-2 Near Haulage road 57.8 69.5 66.1 57.2 59.7 58.5
N-3 Mine Township 41.9 54.7 50.8 40.1 42.8 41.6
N-4 Kuteshwar village 40.2 54.2 50.1 42.2 50.2 43.6
N-5 Amatara village 40.9 53.8 48.9 41.5 48.5 45.7
N-6 Gairtalai village 41.2 52.2 49.0 40.2 47.6 42.6
N-7 Amarpur village 42.3 54.1 50.7 40.9 47.2 42.4
N-8 Salaiya village 41.3 53.2 49.9 40.2 44.2 41.9
N-9 Koyalari village 41.2 54.2 49.3 40.2 46.5 41.6
N-10 Barahi village 46.8 60.6 56.1 41.5 49.1 47.7
N-11 Near Left Bank Lease
41.7 54.5 50.7 40.1 42.9 41.8
Noise Standards
Industrial Area 75 70
Residential & Rural area 55 45
1.3.3 Water Environment
Surface Water: Chhoti Mahanadi river, which is a tributary of Sone river, flows adjoining the
mine lease area from SW to NE bifurcating the two leases namely Right Bank lease and Left
Bank lease. There are no other perennial surface water sources in the mine lease area. The
western part of the mine lease area and the left bank lease of the company remains flooded
during most of the time of the year due to back waters of Bansagar dam, constructed on
Sone river at about 50 km downstream.
Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
vi
Chhoti Mahanadi river and Bhadar Nadi forms the major drainage of the study area through
a network of second order streams. The drainage pattern of the study area is dendritic.
Other major streams in the study area are Jarjara Nala (5.4km N), Gahra Nala (3.3km SW),
Jararoda nala (Passing through the Mine Lease area). Most of these streams are dried
during summer. Apart from these, there are some ponds in the villages in the study area.
Ground Water : The ground water table in the Kuteshwar Mine Lease area is observed at
12-15 m bgl from the general ground level of 340m AMSL. The mine workings have reached
312 m AMSL and the mine has already intersected the ground water table.
Impoundment in the Bansagar reservoir has been inundating the Chhoti Mahanadi river upto
Kuteshwar Limestone Mine area since 2006 and has resulted in increased seepage to the
working limestone quarries of the mines. The mining operations in Jararoda quarry has
stopped in the year 2008, while the work in Gairtalai has been discontinued since early
nineties. Presently, mining operations are being continued for limestone only in the Marwa
quarry under Right Bank Lease by pumping an average of about 14000 m3/day to keep the
ground water level within safe depth for limestone mining in the quarry. The mine pit water is
being pumped into the river across the protection bund through two nos. of pipelines.
Water Quality
Seven surface water and nine ground water samples were collected and analysed to assess
the water quality of the study area. Summary of the ground water quality results is given
below:
Table 5: Summary of Ground Water Quality in the Study Area
Locations pH TH Fe Cl TDS Ca Mg SO4, NO3, F
Mine lease area 7.28 340 0.12 76 526 98 23 64 4 0.4
Salaiya 7.96 140 0.06 43 266 42 8.5 23 10 0.3
Gairtalai 7.26 265 0.07 36 398 78 17 86 16 0.4
Kuteshwar 7.1 320 0.09 33 604 96 19 107 35 0.6
Barahi 7.41 315 0.18 20 610 98 17 139 41 0.7
Amarpur 8 250 0.09 33 420 72 17 46 1 0.6
Koyalari 7.34 400 0.09 83 636 122 23 86 42 0.7
Jhararoda 7.03 175 0.14 33 296 56 8.5 29 10 0.4
Badera 7.14 235 0.16 53 370 72 13 44 5 0.5
Drinking Water Standards (IS:
10500) Desirable (Permissible)
Limits
6.5 -
8.5
300– (600)
0.3– (1.0)
250 – (1000)
500 – (2000)
75 – (200)
30 – (100)
200 - (400)
50 (-)
1.0– (1.5)
Note: All values are in mg/l except for pH
TH: Total Hardness, Fe: Iron, Cl: Chloride, TDS: Total Dissolved Solids, Ca: Calcium, Mg:
Magnesium, SO4: Sulphates, NO3: Nitrates, F: Fluoride
Table 6: Summary of Surface Water Quality in the Study Area
Locations pH DO TSS TDS Cl F P Na SO4 Fe
Chhoti Mahanadi River Upstream 7.6 6.2 28 196 18 0.3 0.08 15.8 25 0.16
Chhoti Mahanadi River Downstream 7.92 6.3 24 184 23 0.4 0.04 14.93 28 0.14
Barahi Pond 7.33 5.6 28 280 43 0.6 0.07 37.53 40 0.18
Bhadar Nadi down stream 7.65 6.4 22 156 20 0.4 0.02 14.58 <1 0.28
Bhadar Nadi Upstream 7.9 6.3 36 160 23 0.4 0.04 15.98 16 0.16
Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
vii
Locations pH DO TSS TDS Cl F P Na SO4 Fe
Bhader Nadi confluence with Chhoti Mahanadi 7.88 6.5 24 150 23 0.4 0.05 15.22 11 0.08
Mine Pit Discharge Water 7.8 6.2 22 190 18 0.7 0.08 27.2 16 0.06 Note: All values are in mg/l except for pH
DO: Dissolved oxygen, TSS: Total Suspended Solids, TDS: Total Dissolved Solids, Cl: Chloride,
F: Fluoride, P: Phosphate, Na: Sodium, SO4: Sulphates, Fe: Iron,
1.3.4 Soil Quality
Soil samples were collected from five locations from the core and buffer zone to evaluate the
soil quality in the study area. The soil is having normal to saline pH and low to medium
fertility. The soil in the mine lease area shows poor fertility and needs to be topped with
fertile soil cover before plantation. Also, the soils in agriculture lands in the nearby villages
need to add fertilisers to improve its fertility.
1.3.5 Land Use
Mine Lease Area:
The Right Bank Mine Lease of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine is spread in 944.89 ha are in
Marwa, Gairtalai & Jararoda Villages in Vijayraghavgarh Tehsil of Katni District in Madhya
Pradesh State. The mine lease area includes Govt. Revenue Land (232.7 ha) & Private land
(712.19 ha) duly compensated. The mine is already in operation and the mine lease area
consists of excavated area, OB dumps, roads, Crushing & Screening Plants, Site services,
etc.
Table 7: Present and propose land use pattern of Mine Lease Area (Area in ha)
Sl. No.
Description Existing End Mining scheme period i,e. 2015-16
End of life of mine / / conceptual period
1 Area under Pits 64.5000 91.6466 189.2000
2 Area under roads 14.3500 14.3500 14.3500
3 Area under office /workshop 36.7000 36.7000 36.7000
4 Area under township/ settlement
70.0000 70.0000 70.0000
5 Area under protection bund 5.5900 5.5900 5.5900
6 Area under OB Dump 24.1100 44.9715 Nil
7 Area under reject/ waste dumps
14.1700 67.6133 Nil
8 Area under Crusher 6.3300 8.3300 8.3300
9 Area under Plantation 26.5300 42.0200 365.5070
10 Area under tailing pond Nil (4.9100 ) Nil
11 Undisturbed area 682.61 563.6686 255.213
Total 944.890 944.890 944.890 (Figures in bracket indicate area not to consider for totalling)
Table 8: Land use of the Study area (As per Satellite imagery)
Description Area (ha) Percentage (%)
Agriculture – single crop 16107.43 30.34
Agriculture - Double Crop 8128.88 15.31
Forest 2155.7 4.06
Open Forest 5512.13 10.38
Fallow Land 12757.71 24.03
Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
viii
Land with/without Scrub 2548.89 4.80
Built up land 809.50 1.52
Water Body 5071.95 9.55
Total 53092.19 100
1.3.6 Biological Environment
Forests: There is no forest in the mine lease area. There are four forests in the study area
viz., Hardua Reserve Forest (7.0 km NW), Karreha Reserve Forest (6.4 km N), Bara
Reserve Forest (5.5 km NE) and Open Mixed Jungle (4.9 km SE). The forest in this area is
broadly categorised as 5B-Clb - Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Dry Teak Forest and 5B-
C2C - Northern Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest (Champion and Seth's Classification,
1964).
Flora: The mine lease area consists of existing mine pits, mine roads, OB dumps, etc. The
mine lease area mainly consists of Govt. waste land. The mine lease area is scantily
vegetated mostly with shrubs like Babool, etc. Apart from this, extensive plantation was
carried out in the earlier phases of mining. Species Planted includes Kaner, Ashoka,
Gulmohar, Peltra Farm, Mango, Custard apple, Tamarind, Mahua, Beehi, Karanj, Jamun,
Neem, Harra, Bahera, Amla, Jungle Jalebi, Babool, Safed siris, sagwan, etc.
Fauna : The common faunal species observed in the study area includes Common Myna
(Acridotheres tristis), Common Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus), House Crow (Corvus
splendens), Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus),
Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolar), Gray or Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus
entellus/Presbytis entellus), House Lizard (Hemidactylus domesticus), Paddy Bird/Pond
Heron (Ardeola grayii) and three stripped Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum). No
Schedule I faunal specie is observed in the study area of the project.
1.3.7 Socio-Economic Environment
The socio-economic status (Based on Census 2011) of the villages within the study area is
given in table below :
Table 9: Socio-Economic details of the study area
Sl. No. Description Total %
1 Total Villages 36
2 Total no. of households 37191
3 Total population 166399
4 Male population 84896 51.02
5 Female population 81503 48.98
6 Scheduled caste 18349 11.02
7 Scheduled tribes 52299 31.43
8 Total literates 92873 55.81
1.4 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
1.4.1 Ambient Air Quality
Anticipated Impacts on Ambient Air Quality
To assess the impacts on ambient air quality due to proposed increase in mining operations
in Right Bank Lease and Left Bank lease of Kuteshwar Limestone Mines, predictions have
Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
ix
been carried out using ISC-AERMOD Model for study period. The maximum predicted value
of increase in ground level concentrations of particulate matter would be about 14.9 g/m3.
This concentration will be observed within the core zone of mine area where mining
operations are being carried out. The concentrations were observed to reduce below 1
g/m3 outside the mine lease boundary. The impact of increase in scale of mining operation
would be negligible beyond 1.5 km. Marginal emissions of Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Oxides
of Nitrogen (NOx) are anticipated by diesel operated equipments and vehicles plying for
mineral and waste transport.
Air Pollution Control Measures:
Existing:
Wet drilling facility with all the drills to control dust emissions from drilling operations.
Use of Slurry Explosives & NONEL Detonation to reduce the blasting emissions
Regular maintenance of haul roads and sprinkling of water on the haul road with 16
KL Water Sprinkler
Spray nozzles at the Hopper as well as screening and transfer points at Crushing &
Screening Plants
Prohibition of overloading and over-speeding of trucks.
Stabilization of waste dumps with grasses, shrubs and creepers.
Enforcing use of dust masks by workers engaged at dust prone areas.
Developed plantation covering an area of about 186.59 ha and planted 4,37,220
saplings in the lease hold area since 1989.
Additional proposed:
Procurement of drilling machines with wet drilling facility
All the HEMM fleet being procured under the proposed expansion shall be having
state of art facilities including AC operator cabins.
Use of high capacity machinery is under consideration to reduce the emission load.
Dedicated Dry Fog Dust Suppression covering all the dust generating sources at the
proposed 450 TPH C&S Plant at a cost of Rs. 1.05Cr.
Sprinklers at the Stockpile & Loading areas
Two nos. of 28 KL high pressure water sprinklers for water sprinkling on haul roads
and other areas
Stabilization of waste dumps with grasses, shrubs and creepers including use of geo
textiles wherever required.
Development of a 50 m wide shelter belt with thick plantation of tall growing trees
along the inner side of the ring bund constructed around the mine workings.
Development of a 30 m wide shelter belt with thick plantation of tall growing trees
along the village habitation of Gairtalai village located adjacent to the mine lease
boundary on the south eastern part of the mine lease area
Thick plantation along the haulage roads within the mine lease area, around crushing
and screening plants within the mine lease area, around mine pits (outside ultimate
pit limit, around OB dump areas, etc.
1.4.2 Ambient Noise Level
Impact on Ambient Noise Level
From the modelling results, it is observed that the maximum noise levels at the nearest
habitations from ML area i.e. Mine Township located within the mine lease area (located at
Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
x
about 1 km from the ultimate pit limit), will be about 54.73 dB(A). Since early nineties, mine
management has taken plantation in and around the mines with an objective to improve
green cover in the lease hold area as well as improve environmental quality. This has
significantly reduced the noise levels at the township as well as nearby villages.
Control Measure of Noise Pollution
Existing Measures.
Plantation of about 4.37 lakh saplings was carried out covering an area of 186.59 ha,
which is about 20% of leasehold area.
Regular maintenance of mining machinery.
Supply and enforcing use of earmuffs/ear plugs by workers in noise prone zones.
Speed limitation for transportation vehicles.
Proposed Additional Noise Control Measures:
All the HEMM fleet being procured under the proposed expansion shall be having
state of art facilities including sound proof operator cabins.
Provision of good silencers on transportation vehicles
Proper maintenance of haul roads & transport roads
Provision of sound proof enclosures to stationary noise generating equipment,
wherever possible.
Provision of the following noise & vibration control measures at the new 450 TPH
Crushing & Screening Plant :
Sizers shall have independent block foundations isolated from the supporting
structures to control vibration & noise
Screens shall be mounted on helical spring units to isolate vibration transmission
to supporting structure thus eliminating the structure born noise and vibration
Development of 50 m wide shelter belt along the ring bund within the mine lease
area. This plantation will help in arresting dust as well as attenuating noise.
Development of 30 m wide shelter belt with thick plantation along the mine lease
boundary towards Gairtalai village settlement to protect them from dust & noise
generated from mine and also to attenuate the noise due to mining.
Periodic ambient noise level monitoring is carried out in the mine lease area and in
surrounding villages. Additional noise control measures will be adopted, if the
ambient noise levels are observed to be exceeding the permissible limits.
1.4.3 Water Environment
Impact on Water Environment
Entire industrial water requirement at the mine is being met through reuse of mine pit water. However, drinking water requirement for both mine site and township are being supplied form the bore wells. After proposed expansion of the mine, the total water requirement will be increased to 600 m3/day from the existing level of 355 m3/day. The increase in industrial water requirement shall be met from mine pit water and domestic water from the ground water. There is no proposal for drawl of river water for use in mine.
The mineral as well as associated waste rocks do not contain any harmful / toxic substance that may contaminate the ground water. Hence, contamination of ground water will not be expected from both the existing and proposed expansion of the mine.
As there is no beneficiation / washing of limestone at Kuteshwar Limestone Mine, there is no effluent generated from the ore processing activities. However, only properly settled mine pit
Executive Summary of Draft EIA/EMP Report of Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease)
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water is being pumped out and discharged to river, which may slightly increase the suspended solids in the river. Surface runoff from the mining and other areas also initially being collected in the mine pits / low laying areas and being pumped to river across protection bund after proper settlement. Hence, no significant impact is envisaged due to the mining activities on the Chhoti Mahanadi River.
Existing Control Measures:
The following measures are adopted to avoid the impacts of the mining activities on the
surface water quality of the area:
Ring bund constructed around the mining area also forms a protection against
siltation of the Chhoti Mahanadi river due to mining activities as all the surface runoff
from the mines is being allowed to settle in the leasehold and clarified water is being
pumped across the Ring Bund to river.
Constructed garland drains around the mine pits, surface dumps, rejects stacking
area, etc to collect the surface run-off from the mine lease area. The garland drains
are connected to mine pits to collect the water for settling.
The seepage water and rainwater accumulated in the mine pits is used for dust
suppression and plantation in the mine lease area. Only excess water is pumped to
the Chhoti Mahanadi river, after ensuring proper settling.
Domestic effluent from the mine’s office and township is discharged in septic tank
followed by soak pits.
Proposed Water Pollution Control Measures
In addition to the above the following additional water pollution control measures have been
identified for implementation during the prosed expansion of the mines:
Construction of retention walls around the OB dumps to arrest the rolled down
boulders and silt wash off from the dumps.
Old OB dumps and inactive dumps slopes are afforested with thick plantation of
grasses, shrubs and creepers to stabilise them.
Construction of vehicle washing platform along with oil & grease traps for treatment
of wastewater generated from the workshop is under construction.
Provision of check dam, gully checks, etc at strategic locations to arrest silt wash off
Provision of rain water harvesting structures for augmentation of ground water levels.
1.4.4 Land Environment
Impact on Land Use
The mine is in operation since 1973 and the mine lease area consists of mine pits, surface
dumps, infrastructure facilities, haulage roads, township, crushing and screening plants, etc.
The mining activities will continue till the exhaustion of mineral in the mine lease. At
conceptual stage, the mine lease area will consists of mined out pits, haulage roads,
plantation, etc. The mining activities have completely changed the original land use pattern
of the mine lease area. Up to the end of mine life, out of the 944.89 ha mine lease area,
about 189.2 ha surface area will be broken up for mining and 134.97 ha area will be
occupied by infrastructure facilities & township for mine employees.
Control Measures for land degradation
At conceptual stage of mining, after reaching the maximum feasible depth i.e. permissible
depth of 60 m, the area will be backfilled up to 30 m from the surface with the dumping
material and the remaining area will be developed as water reservoir.
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A sufficiently thick bund wall will be constructed all around the ultimate pits for safety. The
plantation will be done all around the bunds by leaving 3 m space. The infrastructure like
mine road, office etc being of semi-permanent nature will be removed and reclaimed for
plantation as proposed above. The rest of the area which is non-mineralized and
undisturbed will also be utilized for plantation. Thus, at conceptual stage 410.537 ha area
will be reclaimed and rehabilitated by plantation and 189.2 ha mined out area will be
developed as surface water reservoirs.
Table 10: Post Mining Land Use Pattern of the Mine Lease Area
Type of post mining land use Area (in ha)
Mined out area backfilled up to 30m depth and developed as water reservoir 189.200
Plantation on infrastructure area and other plantations 410.537
Area for public use (Roads and township) 84.350
Area under protection bund and undisturbed area 260.803
Total 944.890
1.4.5 Solid Waste Generation and Management
The top-most fertile soil (average : 0.5 m thick) is being directly transported & used in
plantation areas and as such no separate dump yard for this is required. About 24,036 m3 of
top soil is likely to be generated during the life of mine, which will be entirely used for
plantation purpose.
About 12.25 Million m3 OB will be generated during the life of the mine and utilized for back
filling. During mining scheme period, the OB will be dumped on the present working dump
located south of Marwa quarry (near dumps B & C) of Marwa Block. At the end of this
scheme of mining period, the area covered by the dumps will be 44.9715 ha with a
maximum height of 12 m. The maximum height of the dumps will be limited to 20 m in two
layers of 10 m each. The overall slope of dump will be maintained at less than 37O which is
nearly equal to the angle repose for waste material.
During the Scheme of Mining period (i.e. 2011-12 to 2015-16), the Reject minerals which
form (-)10 mm limestone of about 1,048,547 m3 & IB of about 894,845 m3 will be generated
and stacked near the departmental C & S plant. The feasibility of beneficiating the fines /
rejects will be explored in future for their effective utilization. Use of existing Gairtalai pit for
temporary storage of tailings will be considered. After complete working of Marwa block by
exhausting of usable limestone, tailings can be shifted to this area and Gairtalai block can be
worked out. At the end of the life of the mine, the reject dumps will be fully utilized as graded
limestone.
At conceptual stage, once the mine pits have reached the ultimate pit depth of 60 m bgl,
backfilling will be carried out in the exhausted mine pits. The exhausted mine pits will be
backfilled by overburden stacked in surface dumps. The backfilling will be carried out upto
30 m depth as directed by IBM and the remaining mine pits will be converted into surface
water reservoirs. All the OB dumps will be re-handled for backfilling and there will not be any
surface dump remaining at the conceptual stage. The area covered by surface dumps will be
afforested with plantation of local flora species.
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1.4.6 Biological Environment
Impact on Flora & Fauna
The mine is in operation since 1973. Hence, the proposed increase in production will not
have any significant negative impact on ecology of flora and fauna of the area. There are no
wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks within 10 km radius study area of the mine. The
Bandhavgarh National Park is located about 11.2 km SE of the mine lease area.
The vegetation cover in the proposed area for mining is very thin. The mine management
has carried out extensive plantation in the mine lease area outside the ultimate pit limit.
Thus, there is no danger to the community structure of flora or small animals dependant on
the existing vegetation.
Control Measures for Biological Environment
Collecting the surface run-off water from ML area and from surface dumps in the settling
ponds / mine pit bottom through a network of garland drains.
Provision of retaining walls, check dams and gully plugs at strategic places to arrest the
silt from washing off.
Adoption of rainwater harvesting measures to compensate the ground water loss and
impact on the vegetation.
Existing trees and vegetation from the ML area will be removed only when required.
The plantation, to be carried out along the periphery of the mine, on barrier zone, etc will
arrest the dust generated from the mine and will not allow it to spread it outside the mine
boundary. Thus, the deposition of dust on the crops will be insignificant.
Blasting is carried out only in morning period.
The ultimate reclamation planned leaves a congenial environment for development of
flora & immigration of fauna through afforestation and water reservoir. The plantation and
water reservoir developed within the ML at the end of mine life will attract the faunal
species towards the ML area in the post mining period.
1.4.7 Socio-Economy
Impact on Socio-Economy
The Kuteshwar Limestone Mine is in operation since 1973 and the mine has provided direct
and secondary employment opportunities to a many number of persons in the nearby
villages. Persons are directly employed in the mine, township of the company and through
contractors working for the mine. Also, persons are employed in service sectors required for
the mine. There is no additional land requirement in the mine. The mine lease area consists
of Govt. revenue land and private land (duly compensated).
Socio-Economic Development Measures
In accordance to the MoEF guideline and as a Maharatna company of India, SAIL has
envisaged its policy on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and committed towards
economic as well as social development. The policy also aims improving the quality of life of
the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large.
SAIL serves the neighboring community through hospitals, primary health centers, schools
(inside & outside SAIL townships), sports academies (for hockey, football, athletics &
archery) and has other sports facilities and programmes for all-round development of sports.
The major CSR activities of SAIL can be grouped as Health & hygiene, Human
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empowerment, Income generation & livelihood, Peripheral development, Education, Sports
and cultural activities and others like assistance during natural calamities.
CSR activities of SAIL have played an important role in upliftment of society in surrounding
regions of SAIL’s units. The performance of SAIL in CSR activities can be portrayed by the
various awards/recognitions given by various stakeholders including Government of India,
financial institutions, leading rating agencies and several industry bodies.
Being fully aware of SAIL’s social responsibilities, RMD has taken a giant leap in Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) by providing Health and Hygiene Improvement, Education,
Income generation through self reliant economic activities, Sports & Entertainment in and
around the mines.
In line with the CSR Policy of SAIL, Kuteshwar Limestone Mine is also committed for social
development of the region and spent an amount of Rs. 88.18 lac during last five years in the
villages surrounding to the mine lease area as a part of their CSR Programme & peripheral
development activities and earmarked an amount of Rs. 101 lac for the year 2013-14.
Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan
There are some un-authorized habitations (temporary hutments) in the mine lease area,
outside the ultimate pit limits. The unauthorized habitations in the mine lease area are
adopted by the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) Scheme for the
relocation and resettlement. The State Govt. of Madhya Pradesh will provide them housing
and other required facilities as per the NRRP 2007 Policy. SAIL will provide necessary
infrastructure facilities to these rehabilitated areas as a part of their CSR activities.
1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME
Monitoring of ambient air quality, ambient noise levels, surface and ground water quality, soil
quality, plantation and green belt in the mine lease area, etc. is / will be carried out as per
the applicable guidelines and the reports are / will be submitted to the corresponding
regulatory authorities. An Environment Management Cell is formed for implementation of the
monitoring programme and the environmental management plan.
1.6 ADDITIONAL STUDIES
1.6.1 Risk Assessment and Disaster Management Plan
The mining activities are subjected to various risks like inundation, surface fire, explosion,
dust from drilling and other operations, noise, accidents during loading of material, accidents
due to heavy vehicles, etc. A proper risk assessment has been carried out and a suitable
Disaster Management Plan is put in place to avoid any kind of accident / disaster.
1.6.2 Hydro-geological studies
Detailed hydro-geological studies were carried out in and around the Kuteshwar Limestone
Mine (Right Bank Lease) to assess the ground water and surface water conditions, to
identify the impacts from the mining activities on the surface and ground water resources
and to suggest the mitigation measures to improve the hydro-geological status of the area.
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1.7 PROJECT BENEFITS
The people residing in the nearby villages are getting the following benefits from the
Kuteshwar Limestone Mine, which will be further strengthened through the proposed project:
Direct and indirect employment opportunities
Improved medical and education facilities
Improved communication and infrastructure facilities
Medical and recreational facilities to the employees
improved economic status
Kuteshwar Limestone Mine is carrying out various programmes for the social and economic
upliftment of the nearby villages and has earmarked an amount of Rs. 101.12 lac for the
year 2013-14.
Table 11: Proposed Budget for Socio-Economic Welfare Activities (For year 2013-14)
Sr. No.
Particulars Proposed Expenditure (Rs. in Lac)
1 ITI Training to 30 Nos. of youth in 2013-15 session 12.00
2 Provision 3 Nos Computers, UPSs, printers and furniture to peripheral schools
1.25
3 Water supply to Gairtalai village Pond 2.00
4 Water supply to Konia village Pond 20.00
5 Over head tanks, water storage tank and water distribution system at Gairtalai village
15.00
6 Digging of 4 nos of Bore well with hand pumps 2.87
7 Construction of 3 nos of Community Centre in Gairtalai, Konia and Jararora villages
45.00
8 Medical camps 1.00
9 Miscellaneous expenditure 2.00
Total 101.12
1.8 BUDGET FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF EMP
The mine management has proposed a budget for carrying out various activities under
Environmental Management Plan.
Table 12: Budget for Environmental Management (Rs in Lac)
S. No Activity Capital Cost Recurring expenses/Year
1. Environmental Pollution Control 365.0 68.36
2. Environmental Monitoring 25 8.0
3. Occupational Health & Safety - 15.0
4 Plantation/Green belt 15.0 18.0
5 Social welfare activities - 101.0
6 Economic up-liftment measures 25.0 15.0
Total 370 225.36
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1.9 CONCLUSION
The increase in production from Kuteshwar Limestone Mine (Right Bank Lease) will lead to
the sustainable development of the nearby areas. The enhanced mining and allied activities
will increase direct and secondary employment opportunities for local people. This will lead
to the improvement of economic status of the nearby villages. The increase in production will
also benefit the State & Central Govt. by way of increased excise duty and revenue on
mineral.
During the active mining period, the pollution will be controlled within permissible limits by
way of adopting various pollution control and mitigation measures. In the post mining stage,
the mine lease area will be developed into an afforested area and surface water reservoirs.
This will improve the aesthetics of the area.
A sum of Rs. 370 lac as capital cost and Rs 225.36 lac / annum as recurring budget for
environmental protection has been proposed to achieve the environmental quality as desired
after increasing the production capacity of the Right Bank Lease. Hence, it can be
summarized that the development of the mine will have a positive impact on the socio-
economic environment of the area and will lead to sustainable development of the region.