Mining firm told to ensure no runoff from Pale dump site

PANAJI
The Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has directed mining firm Chowgule & Company Pvt Ltd to submit detailed plans on the proposed transportation of iron ore dumps from Pale village in Bicholim and measures to prevent any runoff or discharge from the dump site into the nearby Mhadei River.
The directions came after the company approached SEAC seeking environmental clearance (EC) for handling iron ore dumps lying outside the lease-bound area at Pale. The Directorate of Mines and Geology has already granted the firm permission for dump handling.
Following a site inspection conducted last month, the committee asked the firm to submit a detailed plan showing the proposed transportation routes from the dump site to the jetty and the total distance from the dump location to the nearest Eco-Sensitive Area.
“The project proponent must clarify whether the proposed transportation route is currently being used by any other mining companies operating in the vicinity. The firm must also identify schools and settlement areas located along this route,” the committee said.
The committee observed that the Mhadei River is located barely 850 metres from the site and noted that the topography of the project area is valley-like. “In view of this, the project proponent has been directed to submit detailed measures to ensure that no runoff or discharge from the dump site enters the Mhadei River,” the committee said.
SEAC has also asked the firm to submit a detailed inventory of threatened species of flora and fauna present within the project area, along with a comprehensive mitigation and conservation plan to address potential impacts on these species.
Further, the company has been asked to provide the exact distances between the mining dump sites and nearby temples to assess possible impacts. The firm must also map the locations of the Navadurga and Mahadev temples, Navadurga School, and the Sonshi waterfalls, and evaluate the likely impact of the project on these sites.
Additionally, the committee has sought a comprehensive briefing from the project proponent on past and proposed Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Once environmental clearance is granted, the firm will be permitted to remove the dumps within a period of five years, subject to payment of conversion fees under the land revenue code, applicable royalty, and compliance with all statutory requirements.