REUSE OF
ABANDONED QUARRIES AND MINE PITS
KERALA
RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE
OCTOBER 2011
Vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dtd. 25-02-2011 Thiruvananthapuram
i
Acknowledgements
We thank the GOK (Industries Department) for identifying us to assign the task
of Quarry and mine pit reuse measures study. We wrote the text that appears in
the following pages, after an in-depth literature research and study of the best
practices in this regard in the leading countries of the world. We had had field
visits, discussions with stake holders, other scientists and non-governmental
organizations. In this context, we owe a special word of thanks to the following
organizations, officials, and non-officials. The Principal Secretary, Industries
Department, GOK, Shri. T. Balakrishnan (Addl. Chief Secretary, GOK) is the
moving spirit behind initiation of this project. We also appreciate deeply the
keen curiosity of Shri. Rajesh Kumar Singh (Secretary, Dept. of LSG, GOK) in this
project.
We, the members of the Sub-Committee (SC), sincerely acknowledge help, co-
operation and ambience afforded by the Director and professional and
administrative staff, Department of Mining and Geology, Government of Kerala,
Thiruvananthapuram.
We tender our special gratitude to M/s. Jacob Punnen (Consultant Mining
Engineer, Trivandrum) and Jacob Kurien (Formerly Director, KMED Project and
Department of Mining and Geology), for their critical and thoughtful
contributions in tempering our minds in this task.
We also place on record the scientific inputs from the Director, CESS, Akkulam,
Trivandrum; Regional Director, CGWB, Trivandrum; Director, Geological Survey
of India, Trivandrum; Director, GWD, Government of Kerala, Trivandrum and
the Kerala State Landuse Board, Trivandrum.
The SC in order to gather the views of the LSGs, circulated to all District
Panchayats in the state, a set of five data sheets for filling in/recording
response from Panchayats coming under their jurisdiction.
ii
We dispatched a set of data sheets each to the Secretaries of the DPs along with
a request to make photocopies of the same if need be for distribution in the GPs
to collect their response. On this theme, the SC had a face to face interaction
with the Chairperson, Secretary and some members of the DP, Trivandrum.
Prof. (Dr.) A. Bijukumar, Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries,
University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus enthusiastically contributed to this
effort by answering the some relevant points in the data sheet.
M/s. English India Clays Ltd. and Dakshin Clay Mines (P) Ltd. (both operating in
T’puram dist) afforded a cordial welcome and a safe visit to the mine pits in
their operational areas.
Dr. Babu Ambatt, (Executive Director CED, Trivandrum) and his team of
scientists, facilitated a roundtable with us on our own request, which helped to
flag very useful points/positions on Quarry reuse modalities.
But for the help and co-operation of local quarry men and members of the civil
society, our visits to a large number of abandoned quarries and some operating
quarries and clay and laterite pits and china clay mines in Kerala would not
have been useful and rewarding.
The Sub-Committee
October 2011
iii
Members of the Sub-Committee
(G.O. (Ms.) No. 57/2011/ID dtd. 25.02.2011)
1. Sri. Chandramohana Kumar, K.R.
Senior Geologist (Rtd., Department of Mining and Geology
Kanakavilasam, MERA-3, Chalakuzhy Road, Medical College P.O.,
Thiruvananthapuram-695 011
2. Prof. (Dr.) Thrivikramji K.P.
Convener
Head of Department of Geology (Rtd.)
University of Kerala
C/32 Sankar Lane, Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram-695 010
3. Sri. M.P. Muraleedharan
Director, Geological Survey of India (Rtd.)
Ashwini, 300B, Gandhi Nagar, Vazhthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram-695 014
4. Sri. J. Pradeep Kukillaya
Director, Ground Water Department (Rtd.)
DPN 146, Survey School Road, Peroorkada P.O., Thiruvananthapuram-695 005
5. Prof. (Dr.) V.K. Venugopal
Head of Department of Soil Science (Rtd.)
Kerala Agricultural University, College of Agriculture, Vellayani
Madhavi Nivas, GRA 231 , Kottara Lane, Gowrishapattom, Thiruvananthapuram-
695 004
iv
Glossary
ADB: Asian Development Bank
Aerobic compost: A method of composting biodegradable waste in windrows
Agro forestry: A land management system that integrates agricultural crops
with forest species
AQ&MP: Abandoned Quarry and Mine Pit
Aquaculture: Also known as aqua farming, is the farming of aquatic organisms
such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants
Aquifer: A saturated underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or
unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, or silt) from which groundwater can be
usefully extracted using a water well
ar: are
Artificial aquifer: An aquifer created by placing aggregates of appropriate
specifications in an abandoned quarry
Bathychart: Bathychart (or hydrographic) charts are typically produced to
support safety of surface or sub-surface navigation, and usually show seafloor
relief or terrain as contour lines (called depth contours or isobaths) and
selected depths (soundings), and typically also provide
surface navigational information
Biogas: Typically refers to a gaseous fuel produced by the biological
breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen
Biological reuse: Rehabilitation measures involving plant and animal species
BOT: Build, Operate and Transfer
Brick and tile clay pit: An extraction pit for red brick and tile making clay;
usually located in modern or ancient floodplains of rivers
CESS: Centre for Earth Science Studies, Akulam, Thiruvananthapuram
CGWB: Central Ground Water Board, Kesavadsapuram, Trivandrum 695004
China clay mine: An organized commercial surface mining project for
extracting raw china clay
Composite quarry: A quarry which started operating as a shelf or L-shaped
quarry, later transformed into a pit (U-shaped one) on continued extraction
v
DMG: Department of Mining and Geology, Government of Kerala
DPR: Detailed Project Report
Eco-restoration: An intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the
recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity and sustainability
EFA: Ecologically Fragile Area
Ela: Malayalam word for a contiguous stretch of Paddy fields usually confined
on either side with toes of slopes
ESA: Ecologically Sensitive Area
GOI: Government of India
GOK: Government of Kerala
GP: Grama Panchayat
Groundwater: Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces
and fractures of rock formations
GSI: Geological Survey of India, (founded in 1851) is an attached office of the
Ministry of Mines, GOI. GSI is the prime provider and repository of basic earth
science information. From 2004 onwards, GSI is also the nodal agency in the
country for landslide studies (Hazard zonation and mitigation studies)
ha: hectare
Horticulture: the study, activity covering different disciplines related to
production of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants
Hydroseeding: A single step process involving spraying of slurry of seed,
fertilizer, top soil, farm manure and water
Kole: Low-lying floodplain, fertile paddy lands in Thrissur and Malappuram
districts. Kole is the Malayalam equivalent of bumper yield as crop failures
were very common in the historic days.
Laterite pit: A pit out of which the laterite bricks are cut and partly dressed in-
place and extracted and used widely as in building construction in the Malabar
districts
Laterite: a red, residual soil containing large amounts of aluminum and ferric
hydroxides, formed by the decomposition of many kinds of rocks, and found
esp. in well-drained tropical rain forests
vi
Lease: A contract by which one party (landlord or lessor) gives to another
(tenant, or lessee) the use and possession of land, buildings, property, etc. for a
specified time and for fixed payments
LSG: Local Self Government
ML: Mining Lease
msl: mean sea level
NGO: Non-Governmental Organization
Pattaland: A piece of privately owned land
Permit: A document granting permission; license; warrant
Pisciculture: Breeding and rearing of fish as a science or industry. Fish
farming is the principal form of aquaculture
PL: Prospecting Lease
Poramboke: A parcel of land whose sole owner is the government
QDB: Quarry Data Base
QRAC: Quarry Reuse Advisory Cell
Quarry rim: A line along which head of a quarry wall and surrounding ground
meet
Quarry shoulder: A ribbon like strip of land adjoining the far side of the
quarry rim
Quarry: A quarry is a type of open-pit mine or shelf facilitating extraction of
rubble mechanically or manually
Recharge of aquifer: A hydrologic process where water moves downward
from surface to replenish groundwater
Refilling: Process of completely/partially covering a natural or made
depression or pit (for e.g., an abandoned quarry) with environmentally
harmless waste
Reuse measure: measure intended to convert sites once used for extraction
(e.g., quarry) without harming the environment
Rogue Quarry: Amenable only to fencing and cordoning-off.
Royalty: A revenue levied by the government from the lessee.
RQP: Recognized Qualified Person
SC: Sub-committee appointed by the GOK based on the GO
vii
SHG: Self Help Group
Silvopasture: Agroforestry practice integrating livestock, forage production
and forestry in the same land management system
TCCPSG: Technical committee under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary to
Government (2009)
Theme park: A park dedicated to specific theme like water sports, camping,
sport fishing etc
Water harvesting structure: Any artificial structure with an open “mouth”
that will efficiently capture and store every drop of water entering /falling into
it
Water-logging: Accumulation of water in variable depths in the quarries
WB: World Bank
***************
Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i
MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE iii
GLOSSARY OF TERMS iv
CH.-I: EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS 1
CH.-II: A PROFILE OF QUARRYING IN KERALA 21
CH.-III: RESTORATION MEASURES FOR QUARRIES AND MINE PITS
AN OVERVIEW 37
CH.-IV: SUMMARY 58
APPENDICES
I. Know Your Quarry- A Course Outline
II. Quarry Study Tour
III. “Green” Fund for reuse treatment of quarries
IV. Quarry Reuse Advisory Cell, Q-RAC
V. Quarry Data Cell, Q-DAC
VI. Inventorying of Quarriable Tracts in Kerala
VII. Redesign DMG Website with Additional Content
VIII. Scientific Advisory Board
IX. Quarry Enumeration Sheet (Draft)
X. Press Release and Responses
XI. Questionnaire on reuse of abandoned quarries
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 1
CHAPTER-I
EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
The GOK issued an order vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011,
constituting a sub-committee (SC) to undertake a study on the reuse of
abandoned quarries/mine pits. This report is aimed at enabling the
government to formulate policy/strategy for the rehabilitation of abandoned
quarries in the state, which are at present blemishes on the landscape and
dreaded points of accidental drowning deaths. The study the first of its kind in
the state and perhaps in the country is envisaged to aid in the preparation and
implementation of rehabilitation and reuse of abandoned quarries thereby
minimizing impairment to the quality of soil, land, water, air and environment,
which constitute the basis for all living systems. The recommendations on the
mandate of the SC are presented under the following sub heads:
1. Current state of quarries and quarrying in Kerala
2. Quarry reuse measures and their implementation
3. Recommended measures for ensuring the safety and security
4. Identifying the agency which can restore the abandoned quarries.
5. Legal/legislative measures for quarrying and reuse
6. Financial implications and support needed
7. Restoration of quarry pits in a phased manner giving priority to category
of quarry, area and danger to the public.
8. Success stories of quarry/mine reclamation
9. Other recommendations
The SC identifies a host of reuse options which can be successfully implemented
through community/stakeholder participation. The abandoned quarries which
are currently “bold eyesores” can be transformed to “Oases of sustainable
livelihood support systems” of the masses, managed by the community and
monitored by the LSGs, leading to better protection and conservation of natural
ecosystems.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 2
1.1. Current Status of Quarries and Quarrying
1. The state has a very large number of quarries, a staggering 8,000-
10,000 according to the Kerala Quarry Owners Association - a self
interest group. It roughly works out to be 8 or 10 quarries per
panchayat.
2. The quarries are primarily used for extraction of runoff quarry
rubble or to produce value added products or for producing brick
and tile clays.
3. Due to the relatively low unit cost of the quarry products, this
industry is distributed far and wide in the state and the only
ruling constraints regarding spatial distribution are purely
geological.
4. Even though quarries have a wide range of size, (say anywhere
between 10 or 15 ares to several hectares), the smaller quarries
have a low operational life whereas the larger ones are of the
order of hectares in terms of the areal extent, and most have been
operational for the last several decades.
5. The quarry land ownership varies widely in the state, many are in
patta land, some are operated on leased patta land, and still
others are in poramboke or public land. Such varied land
ownership obviously creates hurdles wherein implementation of
reuse treatment utilizing public funds or third party donated
funds come face to face with certain legal hurdles. The GOK will
have to come up with solutions for removing such hurdles.
6. Currently, the DMG keeps an automated data base of quarries of
the state and only data pertaining to eight of the southern
districts have populated the database. The creation of database,
being a crucial piece of centralized facility, is progressing rather
“slow”. At the current pace, the database might take a couple of
more years to attain full coverage of the state and functionality.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 3
7. This state can be remedied only by switching to a mission mode
program of basic field data collection and supplementing it from
the paper files in the office/s of DMG.
8. All the hard rock quarries and many of the pits remain flooded
most of the time during the monsoon seasons and the operations
get disrupted. Pumping the ponded water is the only recourse
before the operator to ensure the uninterrupted supply of rubble
or other rubble based manufactured products.
9. The inspection in various districts revealed one or two points,
viz., the quarry pits are flooded and stay that way for the rest the
year, so that the water accumulating is available for one or the
other type of societal use.
10. Laterite pits and tile and brick clay pits are sort of exceptions, in
that if suitably located on the land surface, such pits shall serve
very useful recharge structures of GW to the aquifers.
1.2. QUARRY REUSE MEASURES
I.2.1-A: RECOMMENDED REUSE OPTIONS: U-SHAPED ROCK QUARRY
Summary of Recommendations
1. Type of
Quarry
U-shaped quarry. Two types:
a. Deep quarry (water column > 2.0 m) and
b. Shallow quarry (water column ≤ 2.0 m)
2. Pre-
Treatment
a. Physical treatment like stabilization of shoulders/rims;
easing of head of slopes, rough levelling of quarry floor,
developing/managing of lower order channels.
b. Depth charting of reservoir area.
A. Deep Quarry (Possible Reuse measures)
3. Reuse
measures
a. Water reservoir (drinking/irrigation/water sports)
b. Aquaculture site (e.g. Pisciculture etc.)
c. Artificial aquifer
d. Vegetative greening of quarry-walls
e. GW recharge source
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 4
Specifics of Recommendations: U-Shaped Deep Quarry
a. Water
reservoir
Drinking water source with/without treatment.
Irrigation
Swimming, diving, boating
Picnic and camping sites etc. on the back shores
b. Aquaculture
site
Edible/ornamental fish farming
Cultivation of flowering aquatic plants (e.g., Lotus,
Water lilies)
c. Artificial
aquifer
Suitably refilling a small quarry in areas of severe drinking
water scarcity to create an artificial aquifer.
d. Vegetative
greening of
quarry-walls
Vast areas of stone quarry walls greened by planting vetiver on
multi-storey, “perched”, planting ditches fixed on quarry face
with rock bolt and thin reinforced concrete-slab/toughened
plastic-plank. (A wide practice in many quarries in China).
e. GW recharge
source Water siphoned off to recharge-pits,-wells and –ponds.
Summary of Recommendations: U-Shaped Shallow Quarry
B. Shallow Quarry (Possible Reuse measures)
4. Reuse
measures
a. Aquaculture
b. Pisciculture
c. Composting site
d. Fruit crops
e. Vegetable and tubers
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 5
Specifics of Recommendations: Shallow Quarry
Shallow quarries (Reuse measures)
a. Aquaculture Cultivation of aquatic flowering plants, like lotus and water
lilies
b. Pisciculture Edible/ornamental fish farming (e.g. for edible fishes Tilappia,
Catla, Rohu)
c. Composting site Aerobic composting of biodegradable waste of neighbouring
community
d. Fruit Crops Banana, Gooseberry, Pineapple, Papaya
e. Vegetable &
Tubers
Moringa and Koval, Yams (Chena, Kachil, Chembu), Sweet
Potato (Madhura Kizhangu)
Recommendations: Rogue Quarry
“Rogue”
Amenable only to rim/shoulder stabilization by hydro-seeding,
geo-textiles carpeting and planting tree species.
Erecting (1) protective metallic barricade around the rim (2)
hazard warning signs and (3) depth charts
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 6
I.2.1-B: RECOMMENDED REUSE OPTIONS: L-SHAPED ROCK QUARRY
Summary of Recommendations
1. Type of
Quarry L-shaped quarry
2. Pre-
Treatment
Physical treatment, i.e., stabilization of shoulders/rims; easing of
head of slopes, rough leveling of quarry floor, developing/managing
of lower order channels and preservation of water reservoir in
quarry.
3. Reuse
measures
i. Quarry
floor
a. Plant nurseries
b. Forage farm
c. Silvopasture
d. Composting yard
e. Mini-biogas plant site
f. Mini-livestock farms
g. Mini-piggeries
h. Mini-solar electric farms
i. Crematoria
j. Highway side rest area for motorists
k. Education site
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 7
Specifics of Recommendations: Quarry Floor
a. Plant nurseries Composite nurseries of multi-purpose trees, fruit, vegetable
crops, medicinal plants and forage.
b. Forage cultivation Grass species viz., Guinea, fodder trees, Subabul, Gliricidia,
green manure crops dhainja, sun hemp
c. Silvopasture Planting of bamboo, Casurina and fodder grass
d. Composting yard Aerobic composting site; waste supplied by neighbouring
communities
e. Mini-biogas plant
site Feedstock is aerobic compost
f. Mini-livestock
farms
E.g., dairy, poultry etc. as a community livelihood support
system
g. Mini-piggeries Seclusion of site qualifies for pig farming
h. Mini-solar electric
farms
Co-exist with the rest of activities. Erection of solar panels
on southerly facing quarry walls
i. Crematoria Ideal site for locating modern community crematoria
j. Roadside rest area Vehicle (minor) repair and parking; cafeteria, shops,
restrooms, children’s park etc for motorists
k. Education site Rock, mineral and soil learning sites for school-age youth
Specifics of Recommendations: Quarry Wall/Rim and Shoulder
ii. Quarry wall Build artificial gutters with rock bolt and concrete/ rigid plastic
slabs on quarry wall for planting vetiver.
Rim and
shoulder
Stabilize rim/shoulder by hydro-seeding, geo-textile carpeting
followed by planting tree species
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 8
I.2.2-A: RECOMMENDED REUSE OPTIONS: LATERITE BRICK AND RED
EARTH PITS
1. Type of Quarry Shelf (L-shaped) and Pit (Box-shaped) (no minimum area
stipulation as per Minor Mineral rules.)
2.
Pre-Treatment: rim
and shoulder
a. Protective green fencing, and warning signs and
crash barriers (if wall abuts on edge of right of way
of road)
b. Re-vegetation with Lemon grass, Vetiver along the
rim and shoulder of the pit
c. A Green belt of Casurina/Bamboo
d. Vetiver hedge row to protect rim and wall of quarry
3. Reuse measures: floor
a. Garden land (Cashew, tuber crops, yams etc.)
b. Real estate
c. Amphitheaters and open-air theaters
4.
Water storage &
conservation
structure
Recharge pit with recharge bores.
I.2.2-B: RECOMMENDED REUSE OPTIONS: TILE AND BRICK CLAY
PITS
Currently, in an ela, brick and tile clay permits are held by several lessees and
as a consequence, the pits are non-contiguous, separated by “virgin” paddy
patches of ela. There is a bank guarantee (currently @ ` 275/- per m3 of
extract) to ensure the refilling of pit in the post-extraction/exhaustion state by
the lessee, finally placing back the saved and stored top soil evenly. Since 2009,
the extraction permits are granted only on the basis of a No-Objection
Certificate issued by the District Collector concerned. The geologist concerned,
if satisfied on inspection of the restored site, recommends release of bank
guarantee.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 9
If an ela is dotted with numerous abandoned pits following are recommended:
1. Type of Quarry Box shaped, water logged pits (in units of < 0.25 ha)
2. Pre-Treatment
Topsoil of undisturbed patches in the ela
gathered and stored.
Uneven ela-scape remade as levelled and
terraced cultivable land.
Finally spread the stored topsoil evenly at the
top.
3. Reuse pre-condition Cultivate such areas on a co-operative basis.
Abandoned
1. Type of Quarry Box shaped, water logged pits (in units of < 0.25 ha)
2. Pre-Treatment a. If water-logged, fencing and water-hazard
warnings along with display of depth charts
3. Reuse measures
a. Pisciculture of edible and ornamental fish
b. Farming sites of aquatic plants (e.g., lotus, water
lily)
c. Source of irrigation water and domestic use after
treatment.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 10
I.2.3: RECOMMENDED REUSE OPTIONS: CHINA CLAY MINE
1. Type of Quarry Large mine pits (currently 1.0 ha or more in area); water
logged
2. Pre-Treatment
Protective fencing, and warning signs
Depth charting
Re-vegetation of rim and edge (e.g., vetiver, lemon
grass)
Masonry, or earthen gutters to divert surface run off
away from the mine pit to protect erosion of the walls
and water quality
A Green belt of Casurina/Bamboo in the buffer zone
3. Reuse measures
Pisciculture: Edible and ornamental fish
Cultivation of aquatic flowering plants like lotus, water
lily
Source of water for lift irrigation, industrial and
domestic use after treatment.
Develop children’s park, picnic ground, play ground,
open air theatre etc. after landscaping the land around
the shore line as in Sargalaya, Kozhikode district
All quarries treated for reuse based on one or more methods in the
foregoing need periodic after care (i.e., periodic monitoring and
maintenance)
The key to success of any of the restoration programmes is the
identification of suitable indicators (of quality of biodiversity, soil, water
and air) to monitor the quality of the restoration programmes.
However, each reuse option proposed in the foregoing needs careful
validation by a group of specialists in the Quarry Reuse Advisory Cell,
Office of DMG, Thiruvananthapuram.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 11
1.3. Recommended measures for ensuring the safety and security of the
general public and also animals; if the abandoned pits cannot be
used for any particular purpose.
1. Erect a metallic barricade to serve as a barrier for both humans
and animals (similar to metal barricades erected by the sides of
dangerous curves in modern Highways).
2. Proper warning signs shall be erected at specific points in all the
foot paths and roads heading to the quarry or passing alongside
the quarry. If the quarry is seasonally or permanently flooded,
warning signs announcing the maximum depth of ponded water
shall be displayed.
3. The Grama Panchayat (GP) concerned shall be in charge of
securing and servicing this fence. The GP will arrange mock drills
with the school/s in the neighbourhood (i.e., within a radius of
1.0 Km from the quarry) twice every academic session (viz.,
before the onset of SW and NE monsoons) on the risks and
hazards in trespassing the perimeters (i.e., barricaded area) of
the quarry.
4. The fenced abandoned quarry needs periodic maintenance, like
de-weeding of the right of way of the protective fence. The
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Program) funds could be used for the maintenance of
the restored quarries.
1.4. Identify the agency which can restore the abandoned quarries.
The abandoned quarry restoration is a new ballgame in the state. As such, there
is no designated government agency or readily available expert group in the
government sector to assist the GPs in identification, design and preparation of
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 12
DPR and in the supervision and implementation of restorative treatments of
quarries.
Therefore, the committee recommends creation of:
1. Quarry Reuse Advisory Cell (QRAC) in the Department of
Mining and Geology, Govt. of Kerala, shall be the apex scientific
and technical group in the state to offer scientific/technical
framework to assist the LSG in reuse related activities.
2. The QRAC shall have a panel of experts (consisting of geologists,
eco-restoration experts, hydrogelogists, forestry/farm scientists
and civil engineers) to identify and design the tasks of the
framework and advise the Cell in implementing the tasks to
complete the reuse treatments. QRAC also shall design a
monitoring and maintenance scheme to accompany the
restoration related DPR.
3. The District/Block/Grama Panchayat concerned shall approach
QRAC for designing a restoration plan (like identification, design
and estimate, implementation of restoration plan and future
upkeep of the restored quarry) and a DPR.
4. For identification of restoration measures, the LSG shall seek
initial advice from one or more of their technical committees.
This committee/s shall advise the LSG regarding the possible
reuse options and the LSG will forward the same to the QRAC for
further scientific and feasibility analysis through outsourcing or
in-house preparation of the DPR. The DPR will be examined and
approved by QRAC in the DMG prior to implementation.
5. The LSG/Government can be in the lookout for industry/
institution/ organization directly involved in the quarrying or
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 13
indirectly involved in quarrying as an end user or societal-well-
wisher, for adopting the quarry identified for implementing
restorative measures based on a DPR for restoration and post
restoration maintenance and monitoring for periods of 5 to 10 yr.
1.5. Legal/legislative measures, if any required
1. In the ‘Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1967’, there does
not exist any clause for the prevention of abandoning of quarry
pits. However, the lessee is obligated to give a 3 months’ notice to
the government expressing his intention to stop the operation.
2. The GOI has published draft rules “Minor Mineral Regulation And
Development Act, 2011” in which majority of the existing rules
governing the administration of major minerals have been
extended for minor minerals also. In this, provision is made for a
Quarry Closure Plan. The SC understands that GOK will frame
rules under this act in due course.
3. The quarries found abandoned for more than 5 years have to be
taken over by the LSG for adopting rehabilitation or to take up
reuse projects according to the merit. Government may make
suitable legislation for this purpose.
1.6. Financial implication required for reclamation/reuse
1. The Bank guarantee currently exists only for mining of major
minerals. The current legal regime does not impose any bank
guarantee in respect of quarrying of minor minerals, except in the
case of brick and tile clay and sand (karamanal). Unlike in the
case of major minerals, there are no laws governing the quarry
closure or their reuse, at present.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 14
2. The SC, therefore, recommends a total overhaul of fund inflow to
GOK from quarrying operations. Obviously, this warrants newer
measures of raising the money through cess/tax on account of
trade of quarry extracts, viz., runoff quarry rock or rubble, value
added coarse and fine aggregates as well as rail road ballast, road
metal etc.
3. The current option of compounding of royalty levied from the
quarry operators is anachronistic, illogical, and unscientific and
consequently is a great drain on the exchequer. Instead of
optional compounding, a tax on royalty based on ad valorem be
introduced. The Government may reserve 20% of such proceeds
for quarry reuse works. Introducing a modified tax regime
similar to VAT in which the ‘end-user-pay-the-royalty’ (as
currently practiced in the State of Gujarat) can be thought of after
due consideration of its feasibility.
4. A financial instrument like quarry reuse bond be issued by
government to the lessee to ensure the fund flow at the time of
implementation of reuse related programmes in abandoned
quarry/ies. The size of quantum of bond money shall be
proportional to the quarry extract output as per the mining plan
(see Appendix III).
5. All quarrying operations are a direct assault on the environment
and hence the state government has to come forward to create a
Quarry Restoration Super Fund for implementing quarry reuse
programmes. This issue can be taken up with the Ministry of
Environment and Forests, GOI, for financial support considering
the special status of Kerala due to high population density.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 15
1.7. Restoration of quarry pits in a phased manner giving priority to
category of quarry, area and danger to the public.
Certainly all the abandoned quarries do not call for immediate restoration or
reuse. The quarries range widely in their areal extent, depth, land title,
proximity to population centers, state and national highways and protected
areas (like, sanctuaries, national parks, ESAs, EFAs). Hence, the SC
recommends prioritization of abandoned quarries for implementation of reuse
related programmes on the bases of the criteria in Box 1.1.
The second priority shall go to quarries in patta land fulfilling criteria in the
Box 1.1. Any quarries in patta land, remaining abandoned for a period of 5
years or more be taken up for reuse. Logically, the issue of implementing any
measure in patta lands needs the consent of the land owner. Another item
needing careful consideration is the investment of public funds in a privately
owned structure like quarries. The latter calls for suitable modification of rules
governing investment or the government (through the LSG) acquiring the land
and quarry, enabling the investment. The feasibility of a framework like ‘BOT’
in the reuse programmes can be examined.
BOX 1.1: Criteria set for selection of quarries for reuse options
1. All quarries larger than 10.0 ar in area
2. All quarries located in poramboke land
3. All quarries posing hazards and located within 500 m of population centers
and tribal colonies
4. All quarries regardless of their hydrologic status
5. Quarries, with good access, abutting on the right of way of state roads,
national highways and rail roads
6. Quarries abutting on the floodplains of rivers
7. Any other
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 16
Small abandoned quarries (area ≤ 10.0 ar) need to be taken up in a different
perspective. The respective LSG can initiate discussions with the quarry-land-
owner, based on scientific facts regarding profitability of implementing
measures for reuse. In this context, SC recommends water based reuse
programmes.
The quarries of Kerala are located in one or the other physiographic division’s
viz., midland, low highland or portions of the high coastal land. The SC
recommends the creation of Quarry Data Base as the first step in prioritizing
and phasing of the restoration of abandoned quarries and pits. The request for
reuse measures shall originate from the respective LSGs.
The expert team then shall make a site-inspection of the particular abandoned
quarry to judge the level of priority warranted by the site. This will pave the
way for taking up the quarry reuse program development/implementation. As
a continuing process QDB shall also be the basis for research leading to
prioritization of quarries for reuse related programs.
1.8. Success stories of restoration
1. In Trivandrum district, a large parcel of land reclaimed from an
equally large, exhausted clay mine in Thonnakkal has been sold
to build a venue by TCS, India.
2. An abandoned quarry (Iringal quarry) on the left bank of
Kuttiyadi river in Kozhikode district has been transformed into
an arts and crafts village-Sargalaya, a tourism destination, an
initiative of the Department of Tourism, GOK. This is a classical
example of reuse of an abandoned perennially water-logged rock
quarry spread over 2.0-3.0 ha.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 17
1.9. Success stories of innovative uses
1. Currently, water accumulated and stored in a cluster of large
abandoned quarries adjacent to Kochi Refineries Limited campus
is used by the refinery to partially meet their needs.
2. During water scarcity, the Pariyaram Medical College, Kannur
meets part of its water requirement by ferrying tanker loads of
water from a quarry to the East of the Medical College Campus.
3. Some innovative brains in Kerala are raising ornamental/edible
fish on a commercial scale in Palaghat district.
4. Utilization of ponded water in the abandoned quarries for
irrigating farmlands is successfully practiced in Palakkad and
Wayanad districts.
5. In Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram district, a company
operating a modern clay mine and a clay processing industry has
been using one of their large mine pits to collect water, which is
used repeatedly in their processing plants by recycling.
6. Accumulated water in a large, exhausted china clay mine pit, in
Mangalapuram, Thiruvananthapuram district, after treatment is
supplied to a community of about 200 families.
7. A perennially flooded, large abandoned (approx. 3.0 ha) quarry
exists on the western side of NH-47 at Kalluvathukkal, Kollam
district. It was considered earlier by the LSG concerned for
conversion into a children’s water park with GOI’s funding.
However, the project did not take off.
8. The right of way of NH-49 at Mamala, sits perched on a “thin”
rock wall (like on a natural rocky embankment) separating two
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 18
deep-abandoned-flooded-quarries (cluster of flooded quarries on
the north and a single one on the southern side). An enterprising
mind has chosen to run a mobile ice cream Kiosk at the road-side
entrance to the fenced quarry making the first step to develop the
spot into a picnic centre/road side rest area.
1.10. Additional recommendations
1. Public awareness of state of abandoned/working quarries is
practically nil. The SC therefore recommends conduct of an
awareness programme for elected members of LSGs,
representatives of school-age youths, social activists, and
nominees of NGOs (for course content and related details in
Appendix-I).
2. As part of educational tour of school-age youth, the SC desires
inclusion of a quarry study with the help of the geologist of the
revenue district concerned (details in Appendix-II).
3. The SC recommends proceeds from the conduct of a Bumper
Lottery to start a corpus (fund) for eco-restoration of quarried
land. Given wide publicity and media coverage this lottery shall
fetch a large profit of at least ` 20.0-30.0 crores. This fund may
enable initiation of restoration works during this financial year
(see Appendix-III).
4. A WB/ADB loan for environmental rehabilitation of the quarried
lands may be thought of (see Appendix-III).
5. Introduce a new cess of 10% of royalty in force for quarry
extracts (i.e., quarry products) to supplement the corpus of funds
for restoration (see Appendix-III).
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 19
6. A quarry advisory cell (Q-RAC), working from the office of the
Director, Mining and Geology, is a team of experts to advise on
matters relating to formulation of measures for quarry reuse
shall be constituted. (see Appendix-IV)
7. The quarry database available in the DMG is a good step towards
e-governance policy. The SC opines that the data elements in the
database have not addressed the theme in the angle of selecting
or choosing the abandoned quarry sites for restorative work.
Therefore, the SC recommends a revision of the data elements in
the system in the line proposed in the data collection format
designed by the SC. The details regarding staff requirements,
financial outlay and other infrastructure like equipments and
vehicles etc are given in Appendix-V.
8. The SC underscores the need to launch a three year (three field
season) programme to map the potential tracts in the land area of
Kerala to demarcate the quarriable tracts, affording due
consideration to environmental and social impacts to meet the
future requirements of the infrastructure development in Kerala
(see Appendix-VI).
9. The SC is of the opinion that the website of DMG, as it stands
today needs an overhaul especially in the context of knowledge
society and e-governance (see Appendix-VII).
10. Unlike many other arms of the GOK, the DMG is a scientific
organization, in that the technical staff are scientists in the
pursuit of scientific utilization and management of natural
resources. The SC is of the unanimous view that a statutory
scientific advisory board be created to advise the DMG to
administer the non-renewable resources without impairing
natural environmental fabric (see Appendix-VIII).
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 20
11. A pilot project of reuse implemented in an abandoned quarry in
poramboke land will showcase the abandoned quarry as an asset
and not an eyesore. Such a project helps in motivating the society
to switch over to alternative uses of these abandoned sites.
12. One quarry in every district after restoration be designated as a
student-field-lab for the sake of school going youth to study rock,
minerals and other resources in the natural setting.
***************
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 21
CHAPTER - II
A PROFILE OF QUARRYING IN KERALA
Introduction
Accidents and loss of life to adults, children, domestic and stray animals while
negotiating the perimeters of abandoned quarries and mine pits that have
proliferated across the state of Kerala have been of late, a source for sensational
public and media attention, resulting in melancholic reactions among the
society at large. This situation has prompted the GOK to appoint a sub-
committee to look into the matter comprehensively, collecting the ground truth
and collating the inputs into a meaningful document containing
recommendations for their re-use.
The need for quarried materials (Like rock rubbles, road metal and aggregates)
is immeasurable and keeps growing. Building stones and aggregates are the
principal bulk besides steel in the construction and maintenance of all
structures including railroads, highways, airports, harbors and so on.
Consequently, quarrying has become an industry based on ever-rising demands
and the spurt in the number of new quarries as well as the abandoned quarries
is a direct fall- out of its adverse impacts which have to be addressed
scientifically.
In Kerala, there are reportedly 8000 to 10, 000 operating quarries for granite
and Laterite (both legal and illegal) which cater to the domestic demands for
building stones, road metal and aggregates. Moreover, the new constructions
and developmental work that is in an infant stage demand huge inputs (billions
of tons) of stones and aggregate, enhancing bulk requirements of the material
manifold. Another set of pits needing a rehabilitation policy is the hundreds of
abandoned brick/ tile clay pits in the paddy fields of the coastal stretch and
flood plains of several rivers.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 22
There is a secondary consequence(s) of the abandoned quarries/pits such as
partial or complete (either seasonal or perennial) flooding of the ex-quarries.
An abandoned quarry and environs full of waste piles of unsold rubbles and
rip-rap-a residual feature due to the absence of clear-cut exit formalities for
quarrying operations of minor minerals is often a great eyesore.
A tertiary consequence is the often reported drowning deaths of children,
adults and animals in the stagnant pools of water in the pits. Thus, pools of rain
water or ground water accumulating seasonally and in variable depths into the
AQ & MP have more notorious (sic) attributes as ignoble sites of accidental
drowning and deaths than positive benefits useable by the neighboring
community.
Hence, restoration of these degraded landscapes is absolutely essential. That no
doubt, would create a better and healthier environment conserving biodiversity
and would free the community from untoward incidents and hazards related to
the AQ/MP.
The Government of Kerala issued an order read as GO (Ms) No.57/2011/ID
dated 25.2.2011 of the Industries (A) Department constituting a Sub-
Committee to undertake the study on re-use of abandoned pits/quarries.
(Annexure-A). The terms of reference of the Committee were as follows:
1. How to restore the abandoned quarries/mines within the State.
2. To furnish suggestions regarding alternative uses of the abandoned
quarries.
3. Recommendations/measures to be taken for ensuring the safety and
security of the general public as also animals, if the abandoned pits
cannot be used for any particular purpose.
4. To identify the Agency which can restore the abandoned pits.
5. Legal/legislative measures if any required.
6. Financial implications/ support needed for reclamation/re use.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 23
7. Restoration of quarrying pits has to be done in a phased manner giving
priority to category of mines, are and danger to public.
The Sub-Committee constituted by the GOK swung into deliberations
immediately after receipt of this order and examined every aspect of possible
restoration of the pits and quarries from within the ambit of the specified terms
of reference. The Sub-Committee (the SC), made a general questionnaire to
elicit information through the District officials of the Department of Mining and
Geology, with the idea of short listing and prioritizing the abandoned pits and
quarries which require restoration measures. The SC met officials of
departments and organizations who deal with earth resource and eco systems
management, such as the DMG, CGWB, GSI, the state GWD, the Kerala Land use
Board, The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Biology, University of Kerala,
and a few veteran professionals who had singular scientific experience in such
fields. The SC formulated detailed questionnaires in English and Malayalam
(Annexure-B&C) to reach out and to get suitable feedbacks from LSGs, NGOs
and well informed civil society members. In addition, a press release was also
issued (Annexure-D) to elicit views and suggestions from the public at large.
With pleasure, the SC has synthesized all view points and suggestions and has
arrived at solutions which are placed in this report as a cloister of futuristic
ideas.
Current Status
The need for quarried construction materials (like rock and aggregates) is
immeasurable and keeps growing. Besides steel, quarried rock and aggregates
are the principal bulk in all modern constructions (as well as maintenance) like
airports and harbours, rail roads and highways, industrial, commercial and
residential blocks, power projects and drinking water supply schemes and so
on. Consequently, quarrying is now an industry and the rising demand would
add an extra spurt in the number of new quarries as well as abandoned
quarries.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 24
Hence, the restoration of these degraded landscapes is intended to create a
better and healthier environment, conserve biodiversity and prevent hazards
affecting the community.
State of the art of Quarrying
The Kerala state is ecologically fragile with 16.4% of the total geographical area
being coastal land, 28% of the geographical area being forest land, with 41 west
flowing and 3 east flowing rivers, 27 estuaries, 7 lagoons, 580 Km of coastal
belt, 4 to 6 months of monsoon rainfall, extensive ‘kole’ and wet land areas, and
high density of population almost equally distributed all over the state.
Quarrying and mining being a onetime concentrated activity may basically
appear destructive with irreversible ecological fall outs and scars on the geo-
environment, but are unavoidable evils focused for the constructive upheaval of
the population at large. The human civilization prospers on earth resources and
their value-added products and the mining and quarrying activities if carried
out sustainably, can be a boon for societal development convergence.
Kerala is endowed with limited mineral resources and the major minerals
mined are mainly china clay, mineral sand, bauxite/aluminous Laterite,
limestone, lime shell and quartz/silica sand. These minerals are won by open
cast mining to an average depth of 50m. Silica sand/Quartz and mineral sand
are usually extracted by scooping and making small pits/trenches.
Granite building stones and Laterite constitute the majority of minor minerals
quarries of the State. Brick and tile clay pits which are mainly in the wet land
are the other mining features.
Quarrying activities for the above minerals have been rampant in the State
from time immemorial. The increasing demands for construction of roads,
railways, bridges, sea ports and air ports, sea walls, public and private buildings
etc have progressively made the mining and quarrying industry flourish over
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 25
decades and proved its unavoidability and significant relevance in the
transactions of the present day society.
In today’s economic scenario, building materials, minerals and metals play a
vital role. All these final products are derived basically from the mother earth,
by quarrying from naturally occurring different rock formations. The need of
the day is to mine these earth resources in an environment-friendly and
sustained manner. Considering the environmental impacts, each step of the
process will have to be examined in detail, as a preamble to any large scale
projects. Equally important is to examine the reasons for cessation of the
quarrying/ mining activity without addressing the adverse environmental
impacts it has already created along with irreversible blot on the landscape.
To highlight the state of the art in Kerala, it would be worthwhile to go through
some paragraphs of the Report of the Technical Committee under the
Chairmanship of the Principal Secretary to Government, Industries Department
(September 2009) on Mining/ Quarrying Operations in Kerala with Special Focus
on safety and Environmental Issues---etc. The points given in them are self-
explanatory, and the paragraphs are reproduced below:
“Safety aspects of quarrying / mining operation in the State (p-6 of the
Report)
Kerala is endowed with limited mineral resources and hence the number of mines
(major minerals) is limited and they are mainly china clay, mineral sand, bauxite/
aluminous Laterite, limestone, limeshell and quartz/ silica sand etc. These
minerals are won by open cast mining to an average depth level of up to 50 m,
especially in china clay and limestone mines. Silica sand/ Quartz, mineral sand
are usually extracted by scooping and making small pits/ trenches and the mining
doesn’t involve any threat to life and environment. No major accidents have been
reported from these mining operations in the State.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 26
Among the minor mineral quarries, granite building stones and the laterites are
the most abundant in the state and quarrying activities are mostly carried out in
the mid land area of the state. The quarrying activities for the above minerals are
being carried out far before the formation of the State of Kerala for construction
of railways, bridges, roads, sea wall and other public and private buildings and
even from Palaeolithic age. The increase in population and due to the big boom in
construction industry in recent years, there is a high demand of minerals
especially for granite/ Laterite building stone, construction grade sand and brick/
tile clay. But the spatial extension of mineral deposit is being reduced day by day
due to fast urbanization and formation of new roads.
Accidents in Quarries
In Kerala accidents in mining sector is very less when compared to the other parts
of the country. Two or three cases are being reported annually. The intensity of
quarry/ mining accidents when compared with road accidents, natural
calamities, epidemics and death associated with riots and violence are negligible
but still safety of mine/ quarry needs to be given prime importance.
Nature of quarry accidents
Quarry accidents can be grouped into two main categories:
1. Accidents to the workers involved in quarrying operations.
2. Accidents to the public, animals etc., due to falling into the active or
abandoned mine/quarry pits.”
The Physical System
Out of a total area of 38864 sq.km of the State, 35955 sq. km is covered by hard
rock which comes under the industrial classification of ‘Granite’. All the
physiographic regions of the State are also dominated by these rocks. The state
is situated in the southwestern fringe of the south Indian Peninsular Shield
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 27
between latitudes 080 15’ and 120 45’ N and longitudes 740 50’ and 770 20’ E.
The State can broadly be divided into three physiographic units from the
coastline on the west to the Ghats in the east-the coastal plains with an average
elevation of 10 m above m.s.l, the midlands which are the pediments of the
mountains with an average elevation of 300 m and the high lands of the
western Ghats with hill ranges and plateaus rising to heights of 600 to 2500m
above m.s.l, in the eastern parts (Plate-1). The Wayanad plateau and Munnar
upland fall in the high lands. The midlands are mostly covered by Laterite
cappings and thick and weathered pedogenic profiles. ‘Granites’ (in Geological
parlance Khondalites (including leptynites), charnockites, charnockite gneiss,
migmatites, granites and granite gneiss) outcrop on the hill ranges, peaks in the
pediments and the coastal uplands. Apart from these, there are coastal
sedimentary formations comprising clastic rocks like clays and sandstones and
marine carbonates (at some places with thin seams of lignite) and impure
clastics. The youngest of the sedimentary formations is composed of sands,
clays, molluscan shell beds, riverine and beach alluvium. (Plate-2).
Climate
Kerala has a typical hot, humid tropical climate with clear spells of excessively
wet monsoon seasons. (SW and NE Monsoons) .The SW monsoons are stronger
in the central and northern parts of the State and the NE monsoons or the
retreating monsoons are relatively stronger in the southern parts of the State.
The rainy seasons are active during June to September and November to
February. The average annual rainfall in the State is 3000 mm with about 115
wet days on an average. The mean daily temperature is 32˚ C.
Structure and Seismicity
Kerala falls under seismic zone III, where seismic activity could be moderate to
the tune of 5 to 6 magnitude in Richter scale and 6.5 in exceptional cases along
neotectonically active deep faults. According to lineament maps of Kerala, the
ENE-WSW trending lineament zones are chronologically the youngest and are
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 28
vulnerable for seismicity. Lineaments along with joints, fractures and foliation
have exercised considerable control over the weathering profile, course of river
channels and the size and extent of aquifer qualities of this terrain.
Groundwater Occurrence
In the geological formations of Kerala, groundwater occurs under water table
(unconfined), semi confined and confined conditions. The weathered hard
rock’s (thickness= ~10.0 m), laterites (of variable thickness), valley fills
(thickness=~3.0- 7.0 m) and alluvial formations form the major unconfined
aquifers and fracture zones in the hard rocks and granular zones in the
sedimentary formations form the semi confined to confined aquifers. Depth to
water level varies from 2.0 to 9.0 m below ground level in weathered hard rock,
2.0 to 20.0 m below ground level in laterite and <1.0 to 6.0 m below ground
level in valley fill and coastal alluvium.
In spite of the reputation as a water surplus state, the state experiences
drinking water scarcity at many places due to a variety of reasons. The highly
dissected and undulating topography, high subsurface runoff, massiveness of
geological formations and the resultant unfavourable sub-surface storage
conditions, are the factors responsible for shortage of water in summer season.
Quality problems due to saline water incursions along rivers and backwaters,
toxic and biogenic contaminations from anthropogenic wastes and putrescible
matter in coastal and inland backwater aquifers etc further leads to the scarcity
of drinking water.
Need for Quarrying & Mining
Quarrying is as old as civilizations are. In today’s world, there is absolute need
for building materials, metals and minerals. All those final products are derived
basically from minerals, which are extracted from quarries or mined from
subsurface and surface mines from different rock formations found in nature.
Therefore, the need is to mine these minerals in the most optimum way.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 29
Considering the environmental impacts, the process has to be examined in
detail before any large scale mining projects have to be considered.
Reasons for abandoning/ orphaning of quarries
The following are the reasons for abandoning of quarrying activities in a
particular area:
1. The expiry of the lease period and the lessee not opting renewal due to
(a) the exhaustion of the deposits, (b) reaching the stage where
quarrying is uneconomical due to rise in wages and other inputs, fall in
market demand of the extracts
2. Unscientific working methods exposing the quarry workers to accidents
and injuries
3. Court directives banning the quarrying operations on public safety or
environmental concerns and
4. Personal reasons of the lessee to stop the operations.
Development Initiatives
The construction materials used in Kerala state are principally granite rock
(stone and coarse and fine aggregates) and laterite (bricks and road metal). So
many development projects are in the offing in Kerala like multi-lane-highways,
bridges, state highways ports (e.g., Vizhinjam), Metro-rail systems (e.g., Kochi),
air port (e.g., Kannur) and so on. While all these concrete based constructions
consume huge volumes of coarse and fine aggregates, the larger sized granite
stones go to making of breakwaters in ports and harbours and seawalls along
stretches facing coastal erosion. The housing sector growing at 10-15% is
another principal consumer of coarse and fine aggregates. All such stone
construction materials are sourced from quarries that are spread all over the
state, especially in the midland and lower highland.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 30
Governance of Quarrying in Kerala
In Kerala, quarrying and mining of minerals are regulated by the powers
vested under the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957,
Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules,
1967 and the Granite conservation and development Rules, 1999. The
Department of Mining and Geology is empowered to administer the said rules
in the State.
However, certain Officers/authorities in other departments/local bodies such
as Revenue, Panchayat, Forest and Municipal Administration have also been
declared as Competent Authorities by the Government to administer the rules
specifying the area of jurisdiction, extent of powers to be exercised and the
duties to be performed by them in each case.
Due to the lack of co-ordination among the competent authorities the
Department of Mining and Geology may not be able to administer the said rules
effectively which may lead to loss of revenue for the State and orphaning of
quarries and mines. Currently, the Mineral Exploration Division and the
Mineral Development and Mining Lease Division of the DMG administer the
mineral development in Kerala.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 31
Classification of Quarries
Classification of quarries based on the products, as well as by their overall
shape
No Type Field geometry Type of Extract
1. L-shaped L-shaped Rock /rubble
2. U-shaped U-shaped; a deeper pit Rock /rubble
3. Composite U-in-L Rock /rubble
4. Box shaped
Walled shallow Box ; walls of
variable height; flat or stepped
floor;
Laterite brick/red earth;
brick and tile clays
5. China clay
pits/mines
Large geometric pits or L-shaped
cuttings with benches/steps
stepped
China clay
(under MMRD Act, 1967)
Environmental Impacts of Quarrying
Quarrying is one of the most primitive but important activities that continues to
support human civilization. Construction of buildings, infrastructure
development, and a host of other activities affecting our day-to-day life are
largely dependent on the products from the stone quarries and mine pits.
Kerala with its undulating topography has an abundance of quarries in the
midland, lower highland and mid-highland regions. ‘Sheet rock’ morphology
and isolated domes in the midland / lower highland pediment and ridge and
valley structure alternating in the mid-highland regions support a large number
of quarries all through the length of the state. Quarrying activity and the
presence of abandoned quarries have created numerous complex problems
directly and indirectly affecting the psyche of the civil society The adverse
impacts at times reach catastrophic proportions resulting in landslides, land
slumps, tip-slides, debris slides and rock topples in the quarry/ pit vicinities,
leading to casualty and fatality. Adults, youngsters, children, cattle are all
affected.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 32
The dominant environmental problems associated with quarrying are:
Land degradation
Deforestation and loss of vegetation
Water pollution
Air pollution
Noise pollution
Depletion or loss of groundwater
Socio-economic problems caused by any one or all of the above.
On environmental issues, the TCCPSG (2009) commented as follows:
“4. Environmental issues – (P-9)
The mining activity without the destruction of environment and ecological
imbalance are not practicable. To sustain economy of the country extraction of
natural wealth and technology to exploit the mineral resources with modern tools
are inevitable and there is legislation to control the degradation of environment.
The opening of mining industry provides job opportunity for many people
including the local tribes which in turn develop the area and the State economy
also flourishes. Gain in economy and loss in ecological balance are to be weighed
with positive attitude for betterment of the state.”
The abandoned quarries and mine pits no doubt, are primarily indelible
eyesores and scars on the otherwise pristine landscape and greenery of the
state. During recent years, there has been a growing awareness on the part of
the administration and civil society on the importance and need for protection
and conservation of the environment. There is also a widening realization
among all concerned that developmental activities though inevitable, have to be
executed in a sustained way without adverse impacts on environment and eco
system. Hence the urgent need to embark on a massive programme on a war-
footing for the restoration of abandoned quarries and mine pits to minimize
hazardous impacts directly and indirectly affecting the populace dwelling in
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 33
their close proximity and to make these locations abodes of positive outputs
beneficial to the society.
Environmental problems of Quarrying
Stone Quarries
Quarries for building stones are the most widespread, and are generally located
in the midland and mid high land regions of the state. The main impact of
quarrying is on the landscape resulting in its gross unaesthetic disfiguration.
The removal of some of the landscape components such as trees, other
vegetation and slope could lead to a cascading effect on the surrounding
landscape. Quarrying can lead to soil erosion, land slump, debris flow and
slumping of talus, scree and quarry waste towards lower slopes. The main
negative ecological and biological effect is the loss of habitat and species and
dwindling of bio diversity that inhabited the area. In effect, a link in the
ecosystem chain is chopped off and the entire bio diversity of the area is
subjected to irreversible damage. When the operations go below the ground
level, the result is impeded natural drainage. Blasting is another prime activity
in quarries used to break and detach massive rock into smaller fragments. This
involves the use of heavy machinery and explosives which affect the immediate
environs in more than one way. The noise and vibrations of the blasts can be
annoying and repulsive to those dwelling in the vicinity. Blasts also produce a
lot of dust and fumes causing pollution. Irregular blasting may open up more
rock fractures resulting in hanging of boulders and their precarious perching,
haphazard landing of rubbles and scree on steep slopes, thereby leading to
dangerous situations of rock topple and debris movement.
Laterite Bricks and Red Earth Pits (Box- and L-shaped)
Laterite quarries dominate the midland and mid-highland regions of the State.
Quarrying is carried out below the ground surface and hence leaves shallow
pits in the landscape. Loss of vegetation and fertile top soil are other effects.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 34
Land damage and disfiguration of the landscape are the major problems. The
overburden soil causes erosion and deposition of material to lower landscape
positions. During monsoon the pits are filled up with water and cause hazards
of drowning to human and cattle.
Brick and Tile Clay Pits (Box-shaped)
These are often located in the lower landscape depressions especially the
paddy fields. The main impact is the loss of fertile top soil and impeded
drainage. The resulting deep pits get filled up with water as the water table in
these areas is only a few meters below the surface. The overburden soil is
unstable and act as source of pollution of air, water, loss of aesthetics. There
can also be direct removal of habitat or habitats altered or destroyed by excess
dust, water runoff and soil erosion.
China Clay Mines
Mine development for clays involve removal of top soil and results in the
formation of depressions and craters. These are often very deep pits filled with
water. Depletion of water table in wells of adjoining areas is widespread. The
water-filled pits prove to be focal points of hazards to human beings and cattle.
The overburdens in these areas are physically unstable and are prone to creep
and slump. They also act as sources of pollution with washings seeping down
slope to lover levels in the landscape. The major effects are the destruction of
original habitat, pollution of air and water, siltation and loss of aesthetics.
However, abandoned china clay mines in the state portray an altogether
different picture, primarily because of the scale of operations and limited
occurrence of the clay deposits. Being governed by the rules for mining of major
minerals, the china clay mining has all along been a more organized and better
governed process than quarrying of building stones or Laterite which are
grouped under minor minerals. China clay mines operated in the northern and
southern districts of the state are either Ls pits or Us pits and unlike stone
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 35
quarries, a fair amount of post-mining reclamation measures are seen
implemented by the respective operators. A good example is near Thonnakkal
in Thiruvananthapuram District, a company operating a modern clay mine and
a clay processing and upgradation industry has been progressively back-filling
the mined pits and using some of the pits as rain water harvesting centers, and
pits for recycling of used water for reuse. Another point that needs mention is
that one of the refilled pits of about 10ha here, partly re-vegetated by the miner
has been purchased by an Indian software company of repute, to develop their
campus. Progressive back-filling of the mined pits are noticed in the china clay
mine sites at Pazhayangadi in Kannur District also. In the Mangalapuram china
clay mine belt in Thiruvananthapuram District, instances of leasing out
reclaimed land to other industry operators and supplying of the rainwater
accumulated in the mine pits after treatment to neighbouring settlements are
also noticed.
The Rules in administration of Quarrying
The MM (D&R) Act 1957 and rules there under govern the administration of the
major minerals in the country. As far as Kerala is concerned, chiefly china clay,
bauxite, limestone, iron ore and silica sand come under the purview of the rule.
Quarrying, on the other hand, is governed by The Kerala Minor Mineral
Concession Rules, 1967. However, unlike the case of major minerals, the lessee
is not legally bound to restore the quarried land with the top soil in place. Yet,
the rules governing extraction of brick and tile clays and sand (karamanal)
warrant restoration of the landscape by the operator for which a bank
guarantee of ` 275 per m3 is submitted. Mining of certain minerals (Scheduled
Minerals) require the concurrence of the Govt. of India (Ministry of Mines, Dept.
of Mines).
Section 15(1) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) act has
empowered the State Government to frame rules in respect of minor minerals
for regulating the grant of quarrying leases or other mineral concessions and
Section 23 C has delegated the power to make rules for preventing illegal
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 36
mining, transportation and storage of minerals. Kerala Minor Mineral
Concession Rules 1967 has been framed by the State Government as per
Section 15 (1) of Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
for regulation of minor minerals like granite building stone, laterite, Tile/ Brick
clay and ordinary sand used for construction purposes etc.
Whenever a mining lease is granted, the incumbent lessee has to execute a lease
deed in which conditions for mining the mineral in a work-man like (Form K)
manner are specified. However, there is no proper check to ensure that the
lessee is carrying out mining in accordance with the provisions of the Mines
Act, 1952 and Metalliferous Regulations (MMR) 1967. This is probably due to
the fact that at present, there is shortage of staff in the department mandated to
carry out periodic inspections to this effect. However, the Directorate of Mine
safety under the Indian Bureau of Mines, Govt. of India carries out yearly site
inspections and points out violations to these Acts (Mineral Conservation and
Development Rules) directing the lessee to comply with the remedial measures.
Even then there is no mechanism to ensure if these directives are being
complied with, by the lessee. Paucity of a state unit of the Directorate is the
main drawback in following-up the rules and regulations enacted by these Acts.
***************
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 37
CHAPTER-III
RESTORATION MEASURES FOR QUARRIES AND MINE PITS: AN OVERVIEW
Introduction
This chapter is an account of the SC’s learned opinion on the basis of literature
study, field visits, discussion with a segment of the stake holders and experts on
each of the clauses of the terms of reference listed in the GO (MS) No.
57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 of the GOK.
1. Restoration of Abandoned Quarries/Mine Pits
The first step in respect of any design and implementation of measures for re-
use of abandoned and mine pits/quarries is creation of an automated database
of quarries. To enable this, the SC has designed a format for data collection
(data sheet; see Appendix-IX). The SC is of the strong opinion that all the
operating and abandoned quarries of the state shall be brought into this
automated data base.
The SC points out that the Mining and Geology Department has launched a
similar data base project in its HQ. However, this data base so far has covered
only eight districts of the state. A sample data sheet used in this project is given
in Appendix-IX.
The SC recommends that the Mining and Geology Department of the State be
mandated to complete this data base using the data sheet proposed by the SC.
Obviously the data base project will entail additional staff and fund under the
DMG’s. However, without such basic essential information the effective
implementation of re-use measure could be difficult.
The Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1967 governing quarrying (i.e.,
issue permit/lease and operation), does not stipulate any clause/s for the
quarry closure except in the case of tile and brick clay pits. A bank guarantee of
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 38
` 275 per m3 intended for the implementation of restoration measures is
charged in respect of brick and tile clay pits. However, GOI has published draft
rules “Minor Mineral Regulation And Development Act, 2011” in which the
majority of the existing rules governing the administration of major minerals
have been extended to minor minerals also.
2. Furnish Suggestions regarding Alternative Uses of the Abandoned
Quarries
Abandoned Quarry Reuse
1. Leave-it-cordoned off
2. Water based reuse
3. Real estate based reuse
4. Treatment for Community service
5. Recreational reuse
6. Thematic reuse
7. Agricultural reuse
8. Reuse as Artificial Aquifers
Stability of Quarry wall/Pit and Shoulder
Before considering any tangible reuse option, the LSG shall satisfy itself
regarding the stability of the walls or slopes as well as the shoulders of the
abandoned quarry/pit. A Professional Geologist (from the Department of
Mining and Geology of the state, GSI, CESS or a certified professional Geologist
like RQP) is aptly suited to make this assessment on the stability or instability
of the quarry wall slope. The stabilization measures recommended by the
Professional Geologist shall be implemented by the LSG as the first step in the
direction of reuse.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 39
Environmental Rehabilitation and Eco-restoration
Quarrying activities no doubt cause environmental damage, ecological
imbalances and hazards to human life. The spurts in population growth,
developmental programmes, and urbanization have necessitated stepping up of
quarrying to meet the increased demands of the community. It is pointed out
that both quarrying and environmental conservation are important and a
balance between the two has to be worked out. Environment management,
restoration, reclamation or rehabilitation programmes are to be concurrently
adopted to minimize adverse impacts on environment.
Issues in Eco-restoration
The present state of the quarry, its characteristics and surroundings will
decide on whether restoration, rehabilitation or reclamation is to be
carried out.
The first step in any restoration programme is to adopt physical
methods to reclaim the area like easing of slopes, terracing, leveling,
construction of retaining walls etc to make it conducive to interventions
for restoration.
Development of the peripheral drainage channels for safe disposal of
collected water to prevent erosion and sedimentation.
Identification of constraints in seed germination, species establishment.
Screening of suitable legumes, forage trees for nitrogen enrichment,
nutritional and microbial constraints of spoils/overburden in respect of
establishment of species.
Conservation of biodiversity, eco restoration matching with surrounding
landscape.
Use of soil amendments/ameliorants, identification of suitable mulches
and practices for in-situ moisture conservation practices.
Reclamation of erosion prone and steep areas with geotextiles, hydro
seeding and biological stabilization methods.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 40
Strategies for Eco-restoration
The aim of restoration is to create a diverse mix of after-uses catering to
community amenities, agriculture and nature conservation. The restoration
programmes have to be initiated in phased manner. It is not possible to reverse
the whole area in a short span of time. A pilot project has to be taken up and
executed to demonstrate the possibility of making an area more productive and
remunerative using resource conservation and careful utilization of land. This
would help in motivating people to switch over to alternative uses of these
abandoned lands. The interventions proposed are location specific and have to
be systematically planned and measures appropriate to the site are proposed to
be executed scientifically.
Classes of Eco-restoration Measures
Engineering measures
Biological measures
Engineering Measures/Physical Reclamation
Prior to the introduction of biological methods, physical reclamation methods
like easing of slopes, land leveling, terracing, development of drainage channels,
filling up of craters and stabilization of overburden with geotextiles are to be
carried out to make the area conducive to biological re-cultivation
Biological Measures
In a majority of cases the raw overburden material from the mining activities
does not possess any soil character. It is totally devoid of organic matter and
soil micro flora so essential for establishment and sustenance of plant growth.
The alkaline/acidic nature of the heterogeneous spoil material delays the
natural plant succession processes. Moisture availability also plays a vital role
for initial plant establishment. For initial startup in such derelict sites organic
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 41
amendments have a dominant role. The natural process of soil formation is
accelerated only when revegetation starts and slowly the soil establishes
equilibrium with the surroundings.
Choice of Plant Species
Choice of the plant species depends on the characteristics of the soil, climate,
moisture availability and ultimate landuse.
Selection Criteria for Plant Species
Species should be capable of colonizing in the degraded site. Grasses are
more tolerant to adverse pH and moisture conditions than legumes.
Nitrogen fixing species are preferred as it enriches soil nitrogen.
Species capable of producing fuel, fodder for local community is
preferred.
Pasture grasses and legumes can be used for stabilization of spoil
dumps.
Afforestation using tree species increases the aesthetic value of the site.
Trees and shrubs can be used as wind breaks in areas where visual
shield is required.
Methods of Replanting
The availability of water in the area especially during summer and the ability of
spoil to retain moisture are vital for establishment of planted species. Raising of
vegetation can be done by the following methods.
Sowing seeds in-situ.
Planting nursery raised seedlings using microbial inoculums like
VAM/bacteria for easy seedling establishment.
Transplanting of individual species of natural vegetation from
surrounding areas.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 42
Pocket planting of species recommended.
Modes of Green Cover Development
Transporting good quality top soil from surrounding natural areas
which contain seeds of grasses, rhizomes and tubers of herbs.
Grass mulches and sowing seeds of grasses.
Planting nursery raised seedlings.
Innovative Approaches in Biological Restoration
Hydroseeding
Suited for difficult terrain. This is a single step process and involves spraying
slurry of seed, fertilizer, fertile top soil, cow dung and water. A layer 0.5 to 2mm
thick is sprayed. Very effective in stony and nutrient poor shallow voids filled
with over burden waste materials. Hydro seeding can be practiced in pit
method to enhance seed germination.
Mulching
Overburden spoils should be leveled and erosion preventing structures
developed. The surface is then stabilized by application of organic mulches like
straw, composted coir waste, saw mill dust and biodegradable town waste
which will help in establishment. It improves water holding capacity, aeration,
drainage, and development of good structure. This method can be adopted in
pits used for raising seedlings.
Carpeting with Geotextiles
Spreading of geotextiles on surface on dumps helps improve infiltration,
drainage, and prevent surface erosion. It ensures stability and reinforcement of
slopes, amelioration of site condition and establishment of vegetation. Seeds or
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 43
nursery raised seedlings can be used as planting material. Coir geotextiles from
the Coir industry can be used for the purpose.
Use of Organic Wastes and Compost for Remediation and Restoration
In abandoned quarries where greening/agriculture is an option for restoration,
composting of organic wastes is a pre requisite. Composted coir pith waste or
biodegradable organic town waste can be utilized. Large scale composting
yards with Windrows for composting the waste have to be planned. The
compost mixed with the available material in the site such as sub soils, quarry
fines and waste dump materials forms an excellent planting medium. It
provides a balance of nutrients, organic matter, high water retention capacity,
aeration, drainage, good structure development and an ideal condition for
establishment of plant species.
Seed Mixtures of Grass and Legume
Grass and legume mixtures of native vegetation can be used. Grass should be a
local perennial with fibrous roots preferably a forage. Legume is a good
nitrogen fixer.
Vetiver Eco-engineering
Vetiver (Ramacham) grows well in landfills and quarries. It resists prolonged
dry spells or waterlogged situations and is an ideal species for quarry
restoration programmes. The vetiver eco-engineering, first developed by the
Chinese is now successfully practiced in over hundred countries. This technique
is mainly used for eco-restoration of vertical quarry walls which are an eyesore
in the natural landscape.
The technique consists of puncturing holes on the quarry face along the contour
using pneumatic drills. The orientation of the holes is at an angle of 450.
Hardened galvanized stakes protruding 60-80 cm on the quarry face are fixed.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 44
Toughened plastic/PVC planks are placed over the fixed stakes to form a
triangular trough for filling soil/planting medium. Seedlings of vetiver or locally
available hardy species with massive roots, and rapid growth are planted. The
hedge rows of plants no longer need any maintenance except for some pruning
and hence easily establish. The major benefit is that the ‘Earth Scar’ on the
landscape is removed, the barren structure becomes an ‘Oasis’ and a self
persistent ecosystem gradually develops.
Vetiver Eco-restoration on Slopes
In slopping lands as part of slope stabilization, sand bags are placed at 2 m
contour intervals. Vetiver seedlings are planted above the sand bags in pits
filled up with a mixture of compost and waste as planting medium. The
restoration is quite successful as the survival rate of the planting seedlings is
very high. The original scree pile becomes a “green hill” with luxuriant grass
and other species that are planted.
Water based quarry restoration
Pisciculture
Large voids and pits eventually become large water bodies. After suitable
physical reclamation to ease slopes and depth they can be utilized for
Pisciculture. The side-slopes of such pits must have gentle slopes, which can be
aesthetically afforested with tree species. Technical knowhow of species to be
raised and rearing techniques can be had from experts in the Fisheries
Department. In Kerala, 879 rock quarry pools covering a cumulative area of
3.41 km2, has been identified by the Matsyafed, Government of Kerala, as
potential sites for fish farming.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 45
Rainwater harvesting structures
Abandoned quarry pits can be used for harvesting rainwater and also for
recharging the groundwater reservoir in an area. The reuse options can be
classified into four.
1) Use of water in abandoned quarry pits for irrigation
The water collected in the abandoned pits can be used for irrigating garden
lands in adjacent areas. Both rainwater falling directly into the pit and seepage
into the pit from surrounding areas can be collected and used. The SC came
across instances of such use in Mullankolli panchayat of Wayanad district,
which is an area with comparatively less rainfall. Water collecting in the pits
are pumped out and used for irrigating crops like vegetables in summer. In
some cases the water is siphoned out if the land to be irrigated is further down
slope. A small pit with an area of 200 m2 and a depth of 5.0 m can store one
million liters of water. In many areas there are large pits with storage capacities
of 20 million liters or more.
An agriculturist from Palakkad district (Sri. Ibrahim Haji, S/O Abu Rahiman
Haji, Machingathodi house, Kudumunda PO, Pattambi) wrote to the SC stating
that he is using the water collecting in the abandoned quarry on his land for
irrigation. This water is used for irrigating coconut trees. Similarly a resort in
Kappad beach, Kozhikode utilizes water collecting in an abandoned quarry pit
for gardening. In addition, the Pariyaram Medical College in Kannur district
augments their water supply by ferrying quarry water in tanker lorries. Other
such examples are Kochi Refineries Ltd (KRL) etc. These are good examples of
use of abandoned quarry pits. Storage of water in some pits can be increased by
collecting surface runoff in addition to the rain falling in the pit. This should be
done only if there is no possibility of destabilization of quarry walls by the
seeping water. A fence should be constructed around all such pits to prevent
accidents due to drowning.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 46
2) Recharge of aquifers
Water collecting in quarry pits could be pumped or siphoned to large recharge
pits located in nearby areas where there is a sufficient thickness to weathered
zone. The bottom of the recharge pit should be at least 2 to 3 meters above the
shallowest water table at that site. The recharge pit may be about 5 to 10
meters square and 2 meters deep, depending upon availability of land, quantity
of water collecting in the quarry pit and local hydro geological conditions. This
type of pit recharges the unconfined aquifer tapped by open wells.
The pit can be further modified by drilling a recharge bore from its bottom for
recharging the fracture aquifer tapped by bore wells in the area. The borehole
should be drilled up to a fracture zone in the crystalline rock below the
weathered zone. A suitable sand filter has to be provided in this case for
filtering the water before it enters the bore hole. Recharge pits with recharge
bores are also feasible in laterite quarry pits. Study of wells around a laterite pit
at Padiyathadka in Kasaragod district revealed that water percolating into the
pit is rapidly lost as subsurface runoff in the post monsoon season and hence
does not improve the availability of water in the open wells in the area in
summer. Provision of recharge bores as mentioned above will divert at least
part of this subsurface runoff into water-yielding fracture zones in the hard
rock. Construction and monitoring of these structures should be done under the
guidance of hydro geologists of the Ground water department. The exact
specifications depend on hydrogeological conditions at a particular site.
Where a quarry pit is suitably located on a hill slope, water collecting in the pit
can be siphoned off to ponds in nearby valleys without using electrical energy.
HDPE pipes of suitable diameter may suffice. Additional storage in the ponds
helps to recharge wells in the area. Consequently, drowning accidents can be
avoided. Siphoning of water from springs emerging on hill slopes is widely
practiced in Kasargod district. The pipes cover distances of 100 to more than
300 meters across rough terrain.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 47
3) Drinking water supply
Where conditions permit, water accumulating in quarry pits, after pre-
treatment can be used for drinking water supply to small communities. In
places with minimum chances of pollution, collection of surface runoff in the pit
can also be considered for this purpose if facility for proper treatment of the
water is provided.
4) Quarry Pits into Man-made Aquifers
Small abandoned quarries with impermeable walls and floor can be rebuilt as
man-made aquifers by partially filling with suitable granular materials like
coarse aggregates and sand, especially in communities facing acute drinking
water scarcity and to the avoidance of tanker lorry water supplies. The pit may
initially be filled with coarse aggregate and the top one meter filled with sand to
act as a filtering medium. Interception of rainwater by the pit will saturate this
artificial aquifer and water can be drawn using hand pumps. The potential of
such aquifers can be improved by directing surface runoff into the quarries.
This requires a thicker filling of aggregates in the pit for storing the additional
recharge and also construction of settling ponds for removing suspended
matter in the runoff before it enters the aquifer. The top few centimeters of
sand acting as filter in the pit will have to be washed seasonally to remove the
fine material clogging the pores. This type of reuse may be viable only in cases
of extreme drinking water shortage.
Aquaculture of flowering water plants
Cultivation of aquatic flowering plants like Lotus, Water Lilies etc in small
and/or large quarry pits is a remunerative alternative. Scientists, Malabar
Botanical Gardens, Kozhikode and the University of Calicut are the apt
resource persons for rendering appropriate Scientific/Technical support.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 48
Hydro reclamation
An interesting area of restoration of water bodies is for water sports and other
recreation. Parameters like side slope, depth, quality of water are to be looked
into. This is especially suited for areas without water bodies and would be a
profitable venture.
Development of Community facilities
Based on the site characteristics of the quarry in terms of area, distance from
township, accessibility etc. they can be utilized for development of community
facilities like recreation places, sports, parking lots for trucks and large
vehicles, compost yards, cemeteries etc.
Exotic plantations
Current reclamation and rehabilitation efforts often use fast growing exotic
species. The raising of such exotic species is justifiable only in degraded areas.
In biologically fragile ecosystems they have to be used with caution.
Development of Composite nurseries
Subject to availability of water and site attributes, abandoned L-shaped
quarries and laterite pits are potential sites for starting composite nurseries
(of grasses, shrubs, multipurpose trees for fuel, fodder, timber, fruit crops, and
medicinal plants). This facility shall supply planting material for development
of eco-friendly production systems. Scope of participation of landless labour,
NGOs, self help groups, farm women and other agencies can be thought of.
Biomass and bio-energy development
Since most of the abandoned quarries are located in non arable land with
hostile environment, ways and means of organizing peoples voluntary
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 49
participation in developing common property resource pools for fuel,
multipurpose trees, community grazing lands, fish ponds, composting yards,
biogas plants, low cost solar devices for sharing of resources by the local
community. The people have to manage the installations as common property
(but also have common responsibility to derive common benefits). NGO’s are
apt motivators of people in this activity.
Farming systems approach
Farming systems approach, highly suited to laterite pits falling in less hostile
environment, where overburden soil responsive to management. A judicious
blending of farming systems with components of agro forestry, horticulture,
livestock, Pisciculture, pasture and fodder would be a viable proposition. The
components of the system, crops to be raised are based on site conditions and
local needs. Failure of any component can be offset by the other components of
the system.
Monitoring and Maintenance
The success of any quarry restoration programme should be couched in the
acuity of Monitoring and Maintenance schedule. This has to be initiated
immediately after the initial revegetation process is concluded, to ensure that
the desired target land use is achieved within a reasonable time period. The soil
amelioration and vegetation management is often overlooked leading to total
failure. The after care has to be planned for a period of two to five years is to
ensure establishment of plants after overcoming the initial growth constraints
in the hostile environment. Another objective is the development of a viable
soil-plant system with nutrient cycling and turnover to support the vegetation.
After care involves various management strategies like addition of fertilizers,
amendments, irrigation, gap filling, and other operations to ensure satisfactory
growth of the species planted. The buildup of biomass and fertility of the soil
would eventually lead to development of a soil profile and vegetation cover.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 50
Monitoring of fertility status especially nitrogen, soil reaction, plant protection
are important to ensure a healthy growth environment. Once the soil has
ameliorated and the plants established, the system develops on its-own but the
process of equilibrium of the eco system will take a longer time.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 51
Planning restoration strategies
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 52
Institutional mechanisms
Each abandoned quarry shall be developed as a unit with multiple
livelihood support systems and common property, managed by the
community/stakeholder group and at the same time conserves resources,
improves ecological foundations and quality of life.
It is imperative to evolve collective consciousness among the members of
the community, NGOs and SHGs shall organize themselves for success of
the program and for reaping the bountiful of benefits.
Monitoring quality of restoration programmes
The key to success of any restoration programme is the early establishment of soil
microbial population in the restored sites. Organic matter replenishment in the
early stages of revegetation hastens easy establishment of the planted species and
the soil microbial community. Monitoring of the quality of biodiversity, soil, water
and air in the restored ecosystem periodically has to be undertaken for quality
assessment.
3. Recommended measures for ensuring the safety and security of the
general public and also animals; if the abandoned pits cannot be used for
any particular purpose.
Whether or not the quarry qualifies for any sort of restorative measure/s, erecting
a metallic barricade is recommended, to serve as a protective and hazard warning
structure to the public and animals.
Proper warning signs shall be erected at specific points in all the foot paths and
roads heading to the quarry or passing alongside the quarry. If the quarry is
seasonally or permanently flooded in nature, warning signs also shall announce
the average depth of ponded water.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 53
The Grama Panchayat (GP) concerned shall be in charge of securing and servicing,
this fence. The GP will arrange with the school/s in the neighbourhood (i.e., within
a radius of 1.0 Km from the quarry) mock drills twice every academic session (viz.,
before the onset of SW and NE monsoons) on the risks and hazards in trespassing
into the quarry.
The fenced abandoned quarry needs periodic maintenance, like de-weeding of the
right of way of the protective fence. The MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee Program) funds could be used for the maintenance
of the restored quarries.
4. Identify the agency which can restore the abandoned quarries.
Currently, there is no readily available expert group in the government sector to
assist the LSGs in identification, design and preparation of DPR or in the
supervision and execution of restorative measures.
Therefore, the committee recommends creation of:
a. Separate cell (Abandoned Quarry Reuse Cell) in the Department of Mining
and Geology, Govt. of Kerala to offer scientific and technical assist and to
the LSG in reuse related activities.
b. A panel of experts (viz., geologists, forestry/eco-restoration experts,
hydrogelogists, farm scientists and civil engineers) to advise the Cell in
formulating the modalities of reuse.
c. The District/Block/Grama Panchayat concerned shall indent this agency to
go for identification, design and implementation of restoration plan and
future upkeep of the restored quarry.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 54
d. For developing the restorative measures, the LSG shall seek advice from
one or more of their technical committees. This committee/s shall advise
the Panchayat administration regarding the outsourcing or in house
preparation of the DPR. The DPR will be evaluated by the Cell in the DMG
and approved by the advisory committee prior to implementation.
e. The LSG/Government can be in the lookout for industry/ institutions/
organizations directly involved in the quarrying or indirectly involved in
quarrying as an end user or societal- well-wisher,, for adopting the
implementation of DPR for restoration and post restoration maintenance
for at least a period of 5 to 10 yr.
5. Legal/legislative measures, if any
The existing rules and regulations governing quarry closure cover only tile and
brick clay among the minor minerals. With the exception of a handful of instances,
hardly any example of implementation of quarry closure can be cited from the
state. In fact, the operator just abandons the operations without paying any heed
to the clauses of contract that enable issue of the operating permit by the issuing
authority.
In order to take up the task of ensuring effective implementation of quarrying
rules and to prevent violations, if any, it will be necessary to rejuvenate the
mineral conservation and development wing of the state department. The staff
should include mining engineers and geologists specially trained for this purpose.
Also the rules have to be extended to all minor minerals in the state.
While granting a quarrying permit, it should be made imperative on the part of the
lessee to undertake to restore the landscape to its near-original state after
quarrying, as in the case of major minerals. It is absolutely essential on the part of
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 55
the government that provisions for realizing the actual cost of the restoration
process projected in advance by taking into consideration the simulated areal
extent and final depth of the quarry based on the submitted mine plan vis-à-vis the
extant rules for limitations. It would be necessary for the department to take the
services of mining engineers, RQPs and their supporting technical assistants to
arrive at a realistic quantification of mineable reserves.
Further, it would be necessary to involve the LSGs even at the stage of granting
quarrying leases, so that there would be an on-the-spot check of the violations of
the act and rules during ongoing operations.
To take an example of the practices in a neighboring state, it would be worthwhile
to note that in Tamil Nadu, each district Collectorate has a mines cell attached to it
which is the recommending authority for the grant of mineral concessions. The
staff at the Collectorate comprises Dy. Director and Asst. Director under whom a
Tahsildar and Review Inspectors function as the supporting staff. This system has
proved to be more effective in disposing of the applications for mineral
concessions since the respective collectorates have been responsible for
furnishing the availability of land and also for checking the day-to-day mining
activity down to the village level. Introduction of this system in Kerala too
deserves due consideration. The staff of the DMG, can be deputed to the Mines Cell
to work in tandem with the Revenue team to address these issues.
Existing Regulatory
The following are the major acts and regulations controlling mining activities in
India.
a. The Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1967 govern quarrying related
activities sanctioned by GOK.
b. Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
c. Mineral conservation and Development Rules, 1988
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 56
d. Granite Conservation and Development Rule, 1999
e. Mineral Concession Rules, 1960
f. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
g. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
h. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
i. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
6. Financial implication required for reclamation/reuse
The GOI (MMR, 1988) makes a provision of a bank guarantee of ` 150, 000/- per
ha and a progressive- and final -mine closure plan, which are pre-conditions for
the grant of mining lease for major minerals. In addition, the RQP (Registered
Qualified Person), a professional authorized by the Indian Bureau of Mines, shall
prepare a mining plan for the first five years along with a progressive Mine
Closure Plan, which commences from the fourth year on wards.
On the contrary, in the State with exception of a few, majority of operators leave
the mined pits unattended. All the quarry operators in Kerala (abandoned or
operating), follow a practice of “quarry and walk off”. This is in spite of the fact
that at the time of applying for quarry permit, an undertaking in ` 50/- stamp
paper to refill the quarry/pit including restoration of the soil profile. According to
the public works department, GOK, obviously, the bank guarantee provided by the
mine operator is not sufficient to cover the cost of reclamation of the mine pit.
The SC recommends the following measures to create a corpus for restoration of
quarry/pit.
i. Institute a reclamation bond.
ii. Create a Superfund to help finance the reclamation.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 57
iii. The existing provision of Bank guarantee (in respect of major minerals), of
` 150,000/- per ha, shall be extended to the minor minerals including
granite quarries.
iv. According to the state PWD, this amount of ` 150,000/- is grossly
insufficient to undertake the refilling operations. Therefore SC
recommends enhancing this of this amount to at least ` 300,000/-.
7. How to restore quarry pits in a phased manner giving priority to category
of mine, area and danger to the public.
The quarries of Kerala are located in one or the other physiographic division’s viz.,
midland, low highland or portions of the high coastal land. The SC recommends
the creation of Quarry Data Base as the first step in prioritizing and phasing of the
restoration of abandoned quarries and pits. The request for reuse measures shall
originate from the respective LSGs.
The expert team then shall make a field inspection of the particular abandoned
quarry to judge the level of priority warranted by the site. This will pave the way
for taking up the quarry reuse program development/implementation. As a
continuing process QDB shall also be the basis for research leading to
prioritization of quarries for reuse related programs.
***************
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 58
CHAPTER-IV
SUMMARY
a. Nearly 8,000 to 10,000 quarries are in the State, of which roughly a third of
this number is abandoned. Quarrying activities undoubtedly cause
environmental damage and ecological imbalances. Abandoned quarries are
blemishes on the landscapes and are focal points of hazards to community.
The DMG has created a database of quarries covering eight southern
districts of Kerala. The datasheet designed by the DMG needs addition of
some more points to make it more comprehensive and realistic such that it
is useful for anyone concerned with quarry reuse. The SC revised this
datasheet (see Appendix-IX). Quarrying and mining are “evils” every
modern society has to coexist with. The more modern the society, the
larger the quantity of the earth materials extracted.
b. The SC has examined the problems caused by the abandoned quarries and
mine pits in the light of quarry-related accidents and ecological concerns.
The SC has identified and recommended a host of reuse measures for
restoration of abandoned quarries. Each abandoned quarry shall be
developed as a unit with multiple livelihood support systems and common
property, managed by the community/stakeholder group and at the same
time conserves resources, improves ecological foundations and quality of
life.
c. In respect of major minerals, there are provisions as well as financial
guarantees by the operating lessee to execute reclamation,
rehabilitation/reuse measures of the mined out area. The Bank guarantee
offered by the lessee holder is patently insufficient so that the reuse
measures cannot be put in place by the PWD-the designated agency for this
task. In contrast, as per the existing rules governing the stone quarrying
operations in the State; there does not exist any bank guarantee on the part
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 59
of the lessee to be used for implementation of any sort of
rehabilitation/reuse of abandoned quarries. Currently more than one
agency is mandated to issue a quarrying permit leading to a situation
where in the database or data on quarries become boundless. Quarrying for
stone and laterite is currently covered by the The Minor Minerals
Concession Rules, 1967. The quarry permit applications do not call for the
nature of reuse strategy after stoppage of quarrying for want of scientific
input. There does not exist a strategy or action plan for rehabilitation/
reuse of the abandoned quarries for any sort of common use, except in the
case of tile and brick clay pits. There are no state laws prescribing a quarry
as abandoned or orphaned. Currently, the quarry site is not identified by
the DMG/GSI or not earmarked for extraction for rock, stone or similar
materials. Issue of quarry permit does not require even a rapid EIA study.
Quarries of the State generally fall under three generic classes’ viz., L-
Shaped Quarry, U-shaped Quarry, and U-in-L Quarry. The state government
shall extend the provisions of Major Minerals Act in respect of minor
minerals also.
d. The corresponding royalty payable by the operator is far below what needs
to be legitimately remitted. This is a great drain on the state’s revenue. The
current system of opting for compounding of royalty is a great drain of
revenue to the State. The SC recommends replacing the system by making
suitable amendments to the rules, making the end-user pay the royalty.
GOK may consider levying of royalty on the basis of ad valorem. The
government may exempt the BPL families from paying the end-user-
royalty. In Kerala, Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1967 does not
prescribe any clause for prevention of abandoning of quarry by the lessee.
The GOI has published draft rules “Minor Mineral Regulations and
Development Act, 2011” in which majority of the existing rules governing
the administration of major minerals have been extended to minor
minerals. Mine closure plans should be insisted during the adjudication of
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 60
the lease as stipulated in the rules governing exploitation of major minerals
in the country. The quarries found abandoned for more than 5 years have
to be taken over by the LSG for adapting rehabilitation or to take up reuse
measures. The SC recommends the GOK to make suitable legislative
amendments enabling the takeover by LSGs.
e. Quarried land or land for quarry permit applied is mostly under lease, or
own land or public land. Bank guarantee for reclamation is to be provided
before executing the lease to operate quarry. The bank guarantee shall be
in tune with the production of quarry extracts during the first five years (as
specified in the mining plan). All the quarries in the state are either in the
operator’s own land, leased land or public land. This sort of ownership
variation puts the reclamation of quarries public funds in a tricky situation.
Quarries in patta land obviously create problems regarding investment of
public funds for reclamation. On the other hand quarries in poramboke
land do not pose any public investment related issues and hence are ready-
site for reclamation program.
f. In the given climate of Kerala, large number of quarries is flooded
perennially or ephemerally. In operating quarries, dewatering is resorted
to for continuing quarrying operations. In the abandoned quarries, flooding
is perennial and display micro-algal blooms. In respect of laterite/ brick
and tile pits and abandoned clay mines, water logging is influenced by
geological controls like a layer of impervious clayey formations
(lithomargic clay, stratified clayey formations). The water ponded in these
pits therefore could be seasonal or perennial. The abandoned clay mines on
the other hand are “vast” pits on the landscape tending to collect and
accumulate water sometimes sufficient enough to support supply to the
community after treatment.
g. An abandoned quarry on the left bank of Kuttiyadi river in Murad,
Kozhikode district, has been transformed into a world-class example of
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 61
reuse of an abandoned perennially water-logged rock quarry spread over
2.0-3.0 ha. Sargalaya, an arts and crafts village as a tourism destination has
been developed and managed by a co-operative society founded in 1925,
supported by the Department of Tourism, GOK.
h. The right of way of NH-49 at Mamala, sits perched on a “thin” rock wall
(like on a natural rocky embankment) separating two deep-abandoned-
flooded-quarries to its north and south. An enterprising mind has chosen to
run a mobile ice cream Kiosk at the road entrance to the fenced of quarry
making the first step to develop the spot into a picnic centre/road side rest
area. Currently, water accumulated and stored in a cluster of large
abandoned quarries adjacent to Kochi Refineries Limited campus is used
by the refinery to partially meet their needs. During water scarcity, the
Pariyaram Medical College, Kannur meets part of its water requirement by
ferrying tanker loads from a quarry to the East of the Medical College
Campus. Some innovative brains in Kerala are raising ornamental/edible
fish on a commercial scale in Palaghat district. Utilization of ponded water
in the abandoned quarries for irrigating farmlands is successfully practiced
in parts of Palaghat and Wayanad districts. In Trivandrum district, a large
parcel of land reclaimed from an equally large, exhausted clay mine in
Thonnakkal has been purchased by TCS, India for developing an office park.
In Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram district, a company operating a
modern clay mine and a clay processing and up-gradation industry has
been back-filling the mined pits and using the huge volumes of water
gathering in the pits for use in the processing unit and recycling the used
water for repeat use in the clay processing plant. In a large china clay pit at
Mangalapuram, also in Thiruvananthapuram district, the accumulated
water, after treatment is supplied to a community of about 200 families. At
Kalluvathukkal, in Kollam district to the west of NH-47, there is a
perennially flooded large (approx. 3.0 ha) abandoned quarry which
Report of the Sub-Committee on Reuse of Abandoned Quarries and Mine Pits
vide GO (MS) No. 57/2011/ID dated 25-02-2011 62
considered by the LSG concerned for conversion into a children’s water
park with GOI funds. The project, however, did not take off.
i. Awareness program for members of LSGs, social activists, teachers and
societal leaders is to be taken up to emphasize the need to cultivate
technical knowhow for reuse of quarries/mines and their monitoring and
management. The SC recommends to the GOK the initiation of reclamation
of a U- and L-shaped quarry in a Poramboke land in the State to showcase
the feasibility of the programme on restoration of the local-disturbed-
environment and conservation of ecosystem.
***************
Appendix-I
Know Your Quarry- A Course Outline
Goal: Public awareness on the needs, science of siting, ancient and modern operations,
management and scientific closure and reuse models and best practices.
Content:
Minerals and Rocks, decomposition and soil formation
Climate and rainfall
Durability of rocks and rock based artifacts
Use of rocks and minerals in modern society and modern living
Estimation of reserve of rocks: end use specific quality assessment.
Methods of extraction of rocks and minerals from surface, near surface or sub-
surface.
Rules concerning extraction; Adequacy or otherwise of the rules,
Environmental impact, concerns
Management of the quarrying operations.
Stoppage of extraction and reasons
Reclamation and Reuse of abandoned sites
Monitoring and maintenance
This one day (4 hr show and tell and 4 hr of field visit) on varied facets of extractive
processes, scientific closure and restoration of land ecology of the disturbed areas
warranting restoration
Outcome: Successful achievement of general awareness of quarrying.
***************
Appendix-II
Quarry Study Tour
The students these days are taken around the state and even out side of the state on
educational trips. For well known reasons, the quarries are yet to find a place in their
itinerary. So is the media attention on quarries, except in respect of injuries/fatalities
happening directly or indirectly due to the quarries?
As a matter of new policy, the SC makes a strong bid to the GOK, to advise the schools to
include a visit to a quarry for the high schoolers to bridge the element of information
gap in respect of quarries.
The District Geologist can bring out a hand out for use of visiting students and the
school administration can download the same from the website of DMG.
Outcome: Creating Quarry awareness among the students
***************
Appendix-III
“Green” Fund for reuse treatment of quarries
1. The SC recommends to GOK to conduct a bumper lottery to raise a corpus
(fund) for eco-restoration of disturbed land by quarrying. Considering the
environmental awareness and high levels of literacy, this lottery shall
fetch a profit of at least ` 20.0-30.0 crores. When the SC suggests this, it
has in mind the Christmas-, Onam-, Vishu-Bumper etc. This profit can
serve as nucleus funds for initiating restoration works before the last
quarter of this financial year.
2. A WB/ADB loan for environmental rehabilitation of the quarried lands
may be thought of.
3. Introduce a new cess of 5% of unit cost of quarry extracts and value
added quarry extracts.
***************
Appendix-IV
Quarry Reuse Advisory Cell, Q-RAC
Q-RAC is envisioned as an expert advisory body to help in the formulation of measures
for quarry reuse.
Creation: The GOK will make the appointment of members to the committee out of a
panel proposed by the DMG, GOK. The senior most scientist member shall be act as
Chairman of the committee.
Composition: This committee shall have geoscientists, Farm scientists, Environmental
Scientists, GIS Experts and Senior Engineers, at least one each from each specialty. The
convenor shall be a Geoscientist at the rank of at least Dy. Director in the DMG, GOK.
Periodicity of meeting: The committee shall meet at least once every three months or
as demanded by the convenor.
Functions: The committee shall examine and/or hear requests from the LSG or
organizations ready to take up and implement reuse measures of quarry/ies and based
on the data made available shall arrange for design of a procedure for implementation
in the site to enable an optimal reuse. The members of the committee shall make field
visits before finalizing the reuse plan.
Finance: The members of the committee shall be eligible for a sitting fee as well as TA
and DA for attending meetings are trips and tasks related to quarry reuse.
Tenure of membership: The tenure of members in the committee shall be five years.
This is to fall in line with the tenure of the LSG members, as well as programs under the
V yr plan.
***************
Appendix-V
Quarry Data Cell, Q-DAC
The System
The SC has come to the inescapable conclusion that the GOK may take the necessary
steps (Conceptual, Administrative and Financial or whatever) required to create a Q-
DAC under the DMG. Outwardly it might seem redundant, in the light of data bases
maintained in other agencies of GOK.
Unanimously, the SC has come to the understanding that a data base of quarries of all
sorts (including mines, brick and tile clay pits, laterite pits etc) in the state shall be
enumerated with both static and dynamic data elements, so that information is available
to access at any time of the day from the Q-DAC server. The SC designed a sample
format for gathering quarry specific data. This data base is a pre-requisite for
restorations site identification, quarry product supply management and so on. .
Goal
An automated computer based data base on quarries of Kerala is the minimal goal
envisioned by the SC. The data base is scalable and could be the basis for monitoring
the process of quarrying, spatial distribution of all quarries, accidents, stoppages of
work and reasons and consequences etc.
Structure of the Cell
The cell shall be an integral part of the DMG. A GIS-Geologist assisted by two Assistant
Geologists will be in charge of the day to day operations
Advisory Panel
Policies and action plans shall be formulated by a advisory committee of scientists
drawn from the GSI, Kerala, CGWB, Kerala, DMG, and Professor of Geology, Dept, of
Geology, University of Kerala. The DMG shall nominate the committee members.
Staff, Finance and Infrastructure
In the Headquarters
Geologist -1; Asst. Geologist -2
The cell will need new staff for one team each for northern and southern districts
Hardware and software cost: ` 50 lakhs
Data collection: ` 30/- lakhs (This mission can be accomplished by deploying a large
survey team trained in the enumeration of quarry data along the lines prescribed in the
sample data enumeration sheet).
Other Infrastructure:
A team of one geologist and two assistant geologists will be in charge of quarry
inventory and enumeration work in the northern districts (i.e., Thrissur, Palakkad,
Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod) and another team with same
staffing pattern will be in charge of the southern districts (Thiruvananthapuram,
Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam). The deployment
of student volunteers (on a honorarium) of the physical science stream with minimal
orientation will be a great addition to this programme.
For this two field vehicles, drivers, fuel and maintenance cost etc.
***************
Appendix-VI
Inventorying of Quarriable Tracts in Kerala
The SC recommends to GOK to launch a three year (three field season) program to map
the potential tracts in the land area of Kerala to demarcate the quarriable tracts,
affording due consideration to environmental and social impacts to meet the future
requirements at least until 2030. The demand for quarry extracts shall jump
episodically during this time band. Projects like Kochi Metro, doubling of rail roads,
construction of the new north-south intra-state highway, new airports, the Vizhinjam
trans-shipment port and malls, flats, schools, power projects etc will call for large
additional sources of quarry products. The GOK will have to take up the issue and
implement it through the DMG and involving the GSI.
***************
Appendix-VII
Redesign DMG Website with Additional Content
The SC is of the opinion that the website of DMG, as it stands today needs an overhaul
especially in the context of knowledge society and e-governance. In addition to posting
downloadable forms, the activities and scientific functions discharged by the DMG
should be part of the website. Quarries, quarrying, its essentiality to the society and
nation building should find a place. A citizens’ FAQs is essential in the site.
***************
Appendix-VIII
Scientific Advisory Board
Unlike many other arms of the GOK, the DMG is a scientific organization, in that the
technical staff are scientists in the pursuit of scientific utilization and management of
natural resource. The SC is of the unanimous view that a statutory scientific advisory
board be created to advise the DMG to better administer the non-living resources of the
state to the benefit of the state and nation. This type of advisory board, in practically all
the nations of the modern world, is devised to ensure the inventorying and sustainable
managing of specific natural resources for common good. In the various Indian states,
the practice of installing a scientific advisory board to advise on the medium and long
term resource use and management policies is not in vogue. The SC strongly
recommends to the GOK of creation of an advisory board to assist the DMG and the team
of scientists in discharging their duties and obligations for the welfare of the public of
the state,
Composition of the advisory board:
1. A senior geoscientist of the KSCSTE
2. Director, Geological Survey Unit of the state
3. RD, CGWB, Kerala
4. Director (or nominee), Mines and Geology, Tamil Nadu
5. Director (or nominee), Mines and Geology, Karnataka
6. Professor, Department of Geology, (from University of Kerala & CUSAT, Kochi)
7. Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Div., ISSER
8. DMG, Convener
Periodicity of meeting:
Once a year or as demanded by the exigencies
Appointment of Members:
Secretary, Industries Department, GOK from a panel provided by DMG.
Term:
Reconstitution once in five years.
***************
Appendix-IX
GOVERNMENT OF KERALA DEPARTMENT OF MINING AND GEOLOGY
QUARRY DATABASE MISSION (QUARRY ENUMERATION SHEET-DRAFT)
Name of Enumerator: Enumerator ID: Date and time of site visit: Data sheet ID:
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
1.District: 2. Taluk:
3. Village: 4.GPW/No
5. Name of Lessee:
6. Contact Address:
6a.Permanent address:
6c. Contact Phone/s: 6d.E-mail:
STATE OF QUARRY
7.Operating: 7a. operating from 7b.Abandoned 7c. abandoned from
If abandoned, specify: 8.Non-remunerative, 9.Court order 10.Public apathy
QUARRY LAND OWNERSHIP
11. Patta 12. Poramboke 13.Forest 14. Survey ID 15. Other
DETAILS OF DMG PERMISSIONS, APPROVALS
16. Lease 17. Permit :
18. Area covered by lease 19.Tenure of lease/permit:
GEOSPATIAL PARAMETERS
20. SOI sheet ID: 20a. Scale: 20b. CARTOSAT Scene ID:
21.GPS ID 21a. @.Quarry: 21b. at main rd.
GPS reference to 4 corners
and centre if dry
22a. N.
22b.E.
22c.S:
22d.W:
22e.C:
PROFILE OF QUARRY EXTRACT
23a. Rubble 23b. Aggregates 23c. Road metal 23d. Rail ballast
23e.BrickLaterite 23f. Red earth 23g. Brick clay 23h. Tile clay 23k.China clay
24. Approximate Annual Production:
MODE OF PAYMENT OF ROYALTY
32a: Quarterly 32b. Half yearly 32c. Annually
QUARRY - PHYSICAL PARAMETERS
33. Extent of active operational area (in ar/ha):
34.
Type of Quarry 35a. L-shaped 35b. length of face, m:
35c. Width of floor, m: 35d. L.working face, m 35e. working floor, m:
36a.U-shaped 36b. Length, m: 36c.Width, m:
36d. Depth, m: 36e.Water logged 36f. Dry 36g. Deep(>2.0m)
36h.Shallow (<2.0 m)
PHOTO/VIDEO RECORD, Camera at points identifiable at later dates.
37a. Date of photo: 37b.Date of Videography
37c.Shot from main gate 37d.View straight into 37e. View toward right
37f.. View toward left 37g. View downward
CULTURAL SETTING
38a. Nearest school, km 38b. Nearest place of worship 38c. Nearest house/settlement
38d. Nearest hospital 38e. Nearest police station 38f. Nearest fire station
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
39a. Sheet rock 39b. Ridge 39c. Isolated hill
39d. Drainage basin-ID 39e. Nearest wetland 39f. Nearest farm land
39g. Dominant natural vegetation 39h. Dominant birds and animals
39i. Source of drinking water
NATURAL HAZARDS
40a. Earth tremors 40b. Landslips 40c. Debris flow
40d. Flood 40f. Loss of life, if any
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS
41a. Fire induced 41b. Blasting triggered 41c. Lorry mishaps
GEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK
42a. Joint systems (1, 2, 3) 42b. Joint spacing (50 cm, 100
cm, 200 cm/massive)
42c. Foliation/Gneissocity
42d. Nature, type and state
of intrusive
HYDROLOGIC SETUP
43a. Type of streams
(ephemeral/perennial)
43b. Degree of elimination by
quarry/spoil dump
43c.
44. State of subsurface water
a. Depth to water level in wells within 100 m of quarry perimeter (<10.0 m/10.1-15.0 m/>15.1 m)
b. Nature of wells (seasonal/perennial)
c. Influence of quarrying on water levels;
Wells w/n 50.0 m
(rise/fall/dry)
50.1-75.0 m (rise/fall/dry) 75.1-100.0 m (rise/fall/dry)
VISUAL IMPACTS
***************
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Appendix-XI GOVERNMENT SUB-COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND ON THE REUSE OF
ABANDONED QUARRIES AND MINE PITS IN KERALA. (Vide GO. (MS) N0.57/2011 dtd 25-2-11)
(Members: M/s Chandramohana Kumar, Dr. Thrivikramji KP, MP Muraleedharan, J. Pradeep Kukillaya, Dr VK Venugopal)
1. Prologue The proliferation of abandoned quarries and mine pits, AQ&MP, (i.e., rock / laterite quarries and china clay mines) across the state of Kerala, and accidental drowning deaths that have become sort of routine, has intensely affected the psyche of the average public. This “annoyance” has taken “ugly” turns and expression of ire in public, in the form of protests of various sorts. The loss of scores of young lives annually in the water pools in the abandoned quarries or mine pits indeed, is a sad fact and consequently the GOK appointed the Sub-committee (SC) to undertake a scientific data collection and analysis, based on which to recommend scientific methods of their reuse merging with the site specific landscape features and hence avoidance of such quarry-drowning-deaths on a tangible manner..
2. Current Status With the national GDP growing at the rate of 8 or 9 percent, the need for quarried construction materials (like rock and aggregates) is immeasurable and keeps growing. Besides steel, quarried rock and aggregates are the principal bulk in all modern constructions (as well as maintenance) like airports and harbours, rail roads and highways, industrial, commercial and residential blocks, power projects and drinking water supply schemes and so on. Consequently, quarrying is now an industry and rising demand will add an extra spurt in the number of new quarries as well as abandoned quarries. Truly, in Kerala there are at least 8000 to 9000 operating rock quarries (both legal and illegal), to meeting the domestic demand for rock and aggregates. More over the proposed Vizhinjam Port and the four-laning of highways will require a huge input (Billions of tons) of rock and aggregate, putting deeper demands for the rock and byproducts. Nevertheless, another set of pits needing a rehabilitation policy are the scores of abandoned brick/tile clay pits in the Kole of Thrissur and in the floodplains of several rivers. The abandoned quarries and mine pits certainly and unequivocally, are primary indelible eye sores and scars on the otherwise near natural landscape of the state. In reality, there is another possible secondary consequence/s like partial or complete (yet seasonal or perennial) flooding of the ex-quarries. Another eyesore is quarry associated waste piles of unsold rubble covering the immediate rim of the quarry – a residual feature due to an absence of exit of quarrying/mining operations. A tertiary consequence is often reported drowning deaths of scores of youngsters annually. Thus pools of rain water or groundwater accumulating seasonally and in variable depths into the AQ&MP have more negative attributes (ignoble site of accidental drowning & deaths) than positive benefits for the neighborhood community. Such pools of water are quite attractive to the youngsters (in the communities near and far) as sites for adventure recreations or escapades.
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Therefore, we the members of the SC sincerely and earnestly seek your cooperation r by answering the queries or offering your comments to the statements appearing in the following pages. The data we gather through this effort will go a long way in finalizing our recommendations to the GoK.
[We are indeed pleased to request you (the respondent) to cooperate with us by responding to the following set of queries / suggestions raised in the pages that follow. You respond either by making a check mark or a circle around your choice or writing in your opinion. We do know well that some of the questions are targeted at professionals. We request you to study the content before attempting to record your views.]
PART I
Your Name: Address: e-mail/Post Age: Phone (M) Other Affiliation (Check or circle one): Social activist / LSG- President / LSG-Member / Member- NGO / Professional / Quarry operator / Resident near Quarry: 50-100 m / 101-500 m/ >500 m
PART II
[This section addresses the socio-cultural aspects. Check/circle your response or write in your comment]
Socio-cultural setting: Distance from School/s: <50 m / 51- 100 m/ 101- 500 / >500.0 m Distance from Town/village centre: <50 m / 51- 100 m / 101- 500 m / >500 m Distance from a place of worship: <50 m / 51- 100 m / 101- 500 m / >500 m Distance from Public road: <50 m: 51- 100 m; 101- 500 m; >500 m
Physical Setting of Quarry site Location-Administrative a. Panchayath and division/ward: b. Type of Quarry Land Title: Public / Puramboke / Janmam / Lease
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Location-Physical c. On sheet rock: Thin or no soil covered nearly flat rocky rolling land On Hill / ridge slope: d. Facing a valley linked by a quarry road to a two way road by e. Alongside and directly facing a two way road f. Stream/s emptying into quarry/pit g. Stream/s blocked by quarry spoil dump
Soil Overburden a. Thickness of soil overburden noticed on quarry wall: 50 cm / 51-100 cm / 101-200 cm/ > 201 cm b. Soil type: In situ / transported c. Soil category: Lateritic / sandy soil / red sandy loam/ clayey loam / other specify Quarry Metrices Quarry Floor Elevation, amsl: Quarry lip (top) elevation, amsl: Approximate Dimensions in m: Depth- Width- Length- Overall appearance a. Wide and shallow pit with low angle rocky walls & access road descending in b. Deep and narrow pit with high angle rocky walls & access road descending in: c. Steep cut on hill slope with active floor deep and down below d. Steep cut on hill slope with active face on the quarry wall. Current State of quarry/pit e. Water logged: yes / no; If yes, Duration/period: >4 months of yr <4 months of yr Source of water: Rain / stream flow / Ground water / all
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Peak water depth in Monsoon: <1 m / 1-2 m / 2-3 m / > 3 m
PART III
(Though answering this section, (by circling one or more options), might call for special professional knowledge, respondent could make a try with the help of
professionals or might even skip this section). Geological Makeup: a. Quarried rock: Granite / Laterite / Bauxite / Tile & Brick Clay / China clay / Other b. Joint systems: one/two/ three systems Joint spacing: 50 cm / 100 cm / 200 cm Intrinsic weathered zones/layers: Yes / no; if yes approximate visible dimensions Foliations and gneissocity: Nature, type and state of Intrusives: State of Subsurface water Depth to water level in wells in the proximity: <10 m / 10-15 m / > 15 m Nature of wells in the proximity: Steady / seasonal Influence of Quarrying on water level in wells in the proximity: In wells within 50 m of the Quarry: rise / fall / turned dry In wells within 50-75 m of the Quarry: rise / fall / turned dry In wells > 75 m of the Quarry: rise / fall / turned dry State of surface water State of stream/s: Ephemeral / perennial Stream Order in and around quarry: Are stream/s eliminated by quarry/spoil dump: Visual Impacts:
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Possible Environmental Impacts: Potential for Pollution:
PART IV Reasons for abandoning of quarrying a. Non-availability of rock desired quality and quantity b. Operational problems due to increasing depth c. Water logging of operational area d. Others (write in) : Chronicle of abandoned Quarry related accidents A.Rock/debris fall: year/s - ; Life/s lost- ; Disabled life/s: b. Debris slump: Year/s- ; Life/s lost- ; Disabled life/s: c. Drowning: Yea/s- ;Life/s lost- ; Disabled life/s:
PART V
We also request you (the respondent) to choose from the following list one or more method/s of reuse of abandoned quarries/mine pits or write in your suggestions. Suggested Reuse Strategy/Process (Check / circle your prioritized choices or write in your option not in the list) a. Rain Water harvesting b. Pisciculture c. Horticulture d. Horticultural Nurseries e. Play grounds / parks / water sports f. Housing colony g. Bus terminal
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h. Truck terminal i. Mini shopping malls and community halls j. Cinema halls k. l. m. n.
PART VI [A number of quarries (operating or abandoned) are in the patta land. Seemingly the Departments of GOK might find it difficult to implement interventions in private land enabling re-use. Here respondent may writein possible means of implementing the reuse measures in such abandoned quarry land.] Some proposals (you may circle one or more or write in your view): a. LSG to acquire the land for any post exit use. b. Create a State land bank by legislation c. Create co-operative societies for value added re-use d. Any other:
[We the members of the SC express our sincere gratitude for your cooperation in this mission and also for providing your input based on your concerns and care in respect of formulating feasible solutions for such community issues. Committee can be contacted in any one of the following addresses:
[email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]]
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