Environmental safeguards sought for Dudhsagar and Khandepar rivers
PANAJI
More than a year and half after the Letter of Intent was issued for undertaking mining activities at Codli Mineral Block, belonging to JSW Steel Limited, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recommended grant of Terms of Reference (ToR) for conducting an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study for the proposed Rs 500 crore iron ore project at Dharbandora.
The proposal pertains to Block-XII Codli Mineral Block involving iron ore production of 3.50 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), overburden and waste generation of 8.21 MTPA, taking the total excavation to 11.71 MTPA, in the auctioned mining block spread across 377.0881 hectares at Codli.
The project also includes installation of four crushers comprising three primary crushers of capacities 1x250 TPH and 2x90 TPH, one secondary crusher of 150 TPH, a 600 TPH dry processing and screening plant, and two 300 TPH wet beneficiation plants with a throughput capacity of 3.50 MTPA.
According to the project proponent (PP), the total mining lease area comprises 236.3482 hectares of government revenue land, 58.9087 hectares of private land, 15.8626 hectares of Alvara land, and 65.9686 hectares of forest land. The PP informed the EAC that no habitation exists within the mineral block and therefore no displacement of human settlements has been proposed.
The Codli block, previously operated by Vedanta Ltd and Sociedade Timblo Irmaos Ltd, is considered Goa’s largest mining area. Of the total 377.08 hectares, nearly 65.97 hectares fall under forest category while the remaining 311.12 hectares are non-forest land.
The EAC has, however, imposed several specific conditions while recommending the ToR.
The committee directed the project proponent to submit the status of Stage-I forest clearance for diversion of 65.9686 hectares of forest land in accordance with the MoEF&CC Office Memorandum dated September 9, 2011 and subsequent amendments.
The committee also asked the PP to prepare an integrated watershed management plan through a reputed institute for protection and conservation of water bodies within the mine lease area and surrounding study area. The study must include a Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan to ensure ecological protection of the Dudhsagar River, assessment of the impact of mining activities on the Dudhsagar and Khandepar rivers and nearby nallahs, and a river ingress study to evaluate possible inflow of water into the mine pit.
The EAC further directed the company to consult the State Water Resources Department and incorporate its recommendations in the EIA and Environment Management Plan (EMP).
The project proponent has also been asked to submit a comprehensive transportation and material handling plan detailing route maps, traffic assessment, impact on habitations within 100 metres on both sides of transport corridors, number of trips, vehicle capacities, road dimensions and standard operating procedures for ore transportation.
Additionally, the committee sought year-wise production details since 1994, including the highest production achieved prior to the EIA Notification of 1994 and whether production levels increased thereafter.
Last year, the State Forest Department’s project screening committee had granted in-principle approval for diversion and utilisation of 65.97 hectares of forest land for the project.
