ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF MINE FIRES IN

JHARIA COALFIELD

Presented by-………..

IntroductionThe Jharia coalfield which is the only coking coal source of India is located in the district of Dhanbad in Jharkhand (formerly known as South Bihar till the formation of new state Jharkhand in 2000).

This is the largest coal producer in India with 23 big underground and nine open cast mines.

probably this is one of the most polluted coalfield in the country

features of the coalfield

History of Minefire in Jharia

The mining activities in these coalfields started in 1894

In 1916 the first fire was detected

At present, more than 67 mine fires are reported from this region.

There are about 20 fires spots covering an area of 17.35 sq.km

The coalfield has more than 70 mine fires spread over an area of about 17 sq km.

Impact of mine fires on environment

The impact of mine fires on environment are very severe. It causes major perturbation of the micro as well as macro-environment of the locality. So long as the fires are limited to underground workings only, the effects are not severe but once these fires become surface fires the environment of the locality is put under heavy stress. Major adverse impacts of the mine fires are observed on all the basic components of the environment viz. air water, land/soil and  population/society.

Impact on air quality

The cracked strata acts as a chimney stack discharging various pollutant gases into the environment. E.g. carbon monoxide, co2, sulphur oxide ,nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons etc

Oxides of sulphur and oxides of nitrogen are most important pollutants in ambient air around mine fire areas where fire has developed cracks or has become surface fire. These gases have far significant effect on human health

ADD point

Apart from above impacts on air quality within the fire area it was found that the sulphation rate is also twice the rate of normal value (Banerjee, 1990). It was observed that the ambient temperature within fire area is higher than the area having no mine fires.

Impact on water quality

The effect of mine fires on water quality in fire areas are quite severe in respect of following parameters (a) pH, (b) Hardness, (c) TDS, (d) Dissolved oxygen, (e) chemical oxygen demand, (f) tar/phenolic compounds, (g) salinity, (h) sulphates and chlorides, and (i) trace elements.

The interaction of the various gases with percolating water causes the change in the characteristic of the water quality of the area.

The potential use of such water is thus greatly affe

This kind of polluted water is toxic to the aquatic life

Effects on soil/land quality

surface land is affected by

 Soil becomes biologically sterile.

Water table goes down.

 Upward migration of salts take place.

Soil conductivity becomes very high because of increased salt content in soil

Leaching out of nutrients of soil renders it unsuitable for the purpose of revegetation.

Erosion of top soil during precipitation or due to wind erosion.

Devastation of ecology (flora & fauna).

Impacts on population/society

Mine fires affect the society and its surroundings in following ways:

  discomfort to the people living in nearby areas due to increase in temperature, poor visibility, air pollution and overall environmental pollution.

loss of land and thereby produce from it and destruction of eco-system.

damage to surface properties, i.e., houses, roads, etc. and

 reduction in availability of ground water and its quality.

Impacts on economy

 The mine fires in Jharia Coalfield have not only devastating effects on the environment but also resulted in huge loss of prime coking coal required for steel making. 

An estimated amount of 40 million tonnes of coal have already been lost and another 1864 million tonnes is locked and become unmineable due to fire projects.

A total of 17.32 sq km area of land has become sterile and unproductive due to these fire.

An amount of Rs.114 crores is planned for expenditure under the Jharia fire project, BCCL.

As per the past data 40 million tonnes coal has already been lost valued at around Rs.2000 crores (The Telegraph: 4th Jan, 1997)

Conclusion

Mine fires pose serious problem due to their peculiar complexities in the field or air, water and soil pollution. 

soil element is the worst sufferer of mine fires as it cause total loss of vegetation and erosion of soil due to air and water.

Jharia coalfield requires immediate attention if the mining and associated activities in and around the coalfield are to be sustained on a long term basis as the present situation if allowed to continue will bring a marked decline in the mining and other activities and in about 30 years time the area may become deserted.

Recommendation

Our research should aim to provide the basis for local authorities and planners to take appropriate measures for control and abatement of the environmental pollution in the mine fire area at the earliest opportunity

Referenceshttp://www.ismenvis.nic.in

http://www.jharkhand.org.in/jharia