PANAJI
While deferring grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) to M/s Vedanta Ltd for its proposed production of three million tonnes of ore from Bicholim mineral block, the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has sought to know whether the project proponent was involved in any illegal mining.
The MoEF&CC’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) during its meeting held last month, has directed project proponent to submit a letter from the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) clarifying whether any illegal mining was carried out within the auctioned Bicholim mineral block or not and whether the same was by Vedanta Limited.
Being the first case of grant of EC post closure of the iron ore mining industry since 2018, the EAC has urged the Union Ministry to constitute a sub-committee comprising EAC Members and officers from MoEF&CC to undertake a site visit to enable the committee to take a decision.
The mineral block with an area of 478.5206 ha is located in Bicholim, Bordem, Lamgao, Mulgao, Mayem and Sirigao villages of Bicholim Taluka with production capacity of 3.0 MPTA of iron ore. The public hearing for grant of EC was held on August 11. Based on the hearing, Vedanta Ltd had approached MoEF&CC for EC.
During the meeting EAC noted that about 4708 written objections were submitted against the project during the public hearing; however, the project proponent also informed that about 5183 letters were received in support of the project.
Further, the EAC noted that involvement of forest land within the mine lease area is not clear. The EAC also noted no letter is submitted from the forest department stating that no National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary, ESZ/ESA etc., is located within 10km radius of the study area.
The EAC also noted that the mine lease area is located close to the proximity of the habitations, school, forest, river, temples, caves and fort. The EAC observed that mines were not in operation in Goa from the year 2018 and this instant proposal is a first case for grant of EC under auction after 5 years.
“Thus there is a need to ascertain the present scenario and ground reality with regards to handling of waste, settling ponds, location of waste dump w.r.t habitation, school and river, other surface features as forest, temples, caves and fort, mineral transportation route and traffic congestion,” the EAC said directing the PP to bypass the public road for ore transportation and to explore the possibility of increasing the capacity of the truck so as to reduce the number of trips.
The EAC opined that the Project Proponent needs to revisit the traffic load by considering the cycle time and waiting time. The EAC also asked the Project Proponent to strengthen the road and convert the road into concrete road.
