Deihori P126 D568 Earth Quarry M/s MPA-NKA (JV)

Introduction

As per the direction of the CEC after the meeting held on 24-07-2018, the Divisional Forest Officer, Karbi Anglong East Division, , suggested, to shift and relocate the approved mine plan of Dolamara Earth Quarry (Approval letter No. GM/MM/86-B (40)/5450-54 Dated: 31/12/2018) to Deihoir Private Patta Land Area.

M/s MPA-NKA (JV), with their office at , P.O. Bokakhat, P.S. Bokakhat, District: , Assam intends to shift and relocate the Dolamora Earth Quarry to Deihori P126 D568 Earth Quarry site Under Periodic Khiraj Patta Land vid Patta no. 126 Dag no. 568 at Deihori, Mauza -Duarbagori under Silonijan Revenue Circle, P.O. Deithor, P.S. Deithor, Dist. Karbi Anglong, Assam – 782480. The Divisional Forest Officer, Karbi Anglong East Division, Diphu, vide its Letter of Intent (LOI) Letter no. No.B/KAE/Stn- Snd/Pt/ LOI/2019-20/5173-75, Dated:26/09/2019 extended permit to M/s MPA-NKA (JV) to extract 50,000 Cu M from this site out of 1,37,990 Cu M of earth Up to March 2020

Office of the Executive Engineer, Water Resources Division, P.O. Rajabari, Jorhat had submitted a requisition of forest material Vide Letter No. JWRD.W-2/2889 Dated 7.11.2018 to the Divisional Forest Officer, Karbi Anglong East Division for 'Kaziranga Sub-Project' under W.O. nos FREMAA(P)/Tech/94 2018/116/27 dated 29th Sept/2018.

Eventually, The Divisional Forest Officer, Karbi Anglong East Division, Diphu, vide its Letter of Intent (LOI) Letter no. B/KAE/Snd-Stn/LOI/2018-19/2516-18 extended permit to M/s MPA-NKA (JV) to extract 187990.00 cubic meter of earth up to March 2020. However, in the recent context of the CEC observation, this mining is shifted to the Patta Land vid Patta no. 126 Dag no. 568 at Deihori, Mauza -Duarbagori under Silonijan Revenue Circle, P.O. Deithor, P.S. Deithor, Dist. Karbi Anglong, Assam – 782480, and

Mining Plan Page 1 Deihori P126 D568 Earth Quarry M/s MPA-NKA (JV) approved mining in 13 Bighas, i.e. 1.73 Ha of land covered by the given Patta and Dag No. for the quantity of 50,000 Cu M out of 1,37,990 Cu M up to March 2020.

In the mean time M/s MPA-NKA (JV) has come into a notarized agreement with Sri Bijoy Rongpi, S/o Lt. Horen Rongpi, the owner of the PP land for the extraction of earth on 05- 08-2019. The representatives of revenue department and the forest department of the concerned area jointly verified the site on 10-09-2019 and approved 13 Bighas of land for extraction of 50,000 Cu.M. of earth initially.

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GENERAL INFORMATION:

1 Name M/s MPA-NKA (JV)

2 Office Address Near Bokakhat Chariali, AT Road, P.O. Bokakhat P.S. Bokakhat District: Golaghat, Assam – 785612

3 Site Address Deihori P240 D816 Earth Quarry Mauza -Duarbagori under Silonijan Revenue Circle P.O. Deithor, P.S. Deithor Dist. Karbi Anglong Assam – 782480

4 Status of Applicant Joint Venture

5 Mineral Occurring in the area Earth to be used for 'Kaziranga Sub-Project' and its use

6 Name of the Quarry Deihori P126 D568 Earth Quarry

7 Calculated Quantity for 50,000.00 Cu m Earth Extraction

8 Permit Period Up to March 2020

9 Forest Range & Division Dolamora Northern Range District : Karbi Anglong,

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Assam

10 Survey of Toposheet 83 F/6 No. Involved

11 Latitude/ Longitude A = 26033‟48.2”N, 93043‟35.5”E B = 26033‟50.3”N, 93043‟35.4”E C = 26033‟47.3”N, 93043‟37.3”E D = 26033‟49.4”N, 93043‟38.5”E

12 Nearest Railway Station Golaghat

13 Nearest Airport Jorhat

14 Nearest Highway NH – 39

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PARTICULARS OF THE RQP PREPARING THE MINING PLAN:

Particulars of the RQP preparing the Mining Plan:

1. Name of the RQP Tasaduk Ariful Hussain

2. Address Near ASTC, Ward No. 4, Bokakhat, Assam – 785612

3. Registration No. DGM/RQP/33/2017 Directorate of Geology & Mining Govt. of Assam Kahilipara, – 19

4. Validity of Registration Up to 11-12-2027

5. Contact Number 9435054775, 7002812074

6. Email ID [email protected]

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LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED PERMIT AREA:

Karbi Anglong is characterized by undulating topography and dominantly having low hills with gentle slopes. It is situated in the central part of Assam between 250 32‟N to 260 36‟N latitudes and 920 10‟E to 930 50‟E longitude. It is bounded on the north by and Golaghat districts, on the south by the North Cachar Hills district, on the east by Golaghat district and and on the west by Meghalaya.

The location of the proposed quarry site is in the northern slope of Karbi Anglong Hills and in the border of Golaghat District. It is around 3 Km West of National Highway 39. The quarry site is beyond any restrictions defined by the Chapter 2 of the Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules (AMMCR), 2013, of the . The site is 20 Km away from the Kalioni RF and around 20-22 Km away from the Dolamara PRF. The road connected the quarry site with National Highway 39 is a motorable road.

The site is under the Northern Range, Dolamara of Karbi Anglong East Division. The other details of the proposed Contract area are as follows:

1. Village : Deihori P.O : Deithor Police Station : Deithor District : Karbi Anglong State : Assam

2. Term of the Mining Permit : Up to March 2020 (around 5 Months)

3. Total area : 1.73 Hectares (13 Bighas)

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4. Ownership/ Occupancy : Bijoy Rongpi Village Deihori, Mauza -Duarbagori Silonijan Revenue Circle P.O. Deithor, P.S. Deithor Dist. Karbi Anglong Assam - 782480

5. Land use pattern : The core zone consists of degraded forest area mainly covered with grasses, scrubs and earth outcrop.

THE ALLOTED LAND AND THE TYPE OF EARTH:

The total area proposed for grant of Mining Permit to M/s MPA-NKA (JV) for collection of earth is around 1.73 Hectares (13 Bighas). It is degraded forest area mainly covered with grasses, scrubs and earth. As per statement furnished by Divisional Forest Officer, Karbi Anglong East Forest Division, the total area available for mining is 1.73 Hectares (10 Bighas).

The available mineral of the Permit area i.e. „earth‟ is to be extracted following the simple open cast quarry practice as explained in subsequent chapters.

PROPERTIES OF THE EARTH: The earth available is coarse to fine grained.

USE: The minerals will be used for the 'Kaziranga Sub-Project' under W.O. nos FREMAA(P)/Tech/94 2018/116/27 dated 29th Sept/2018

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RESERVE ESTIMATION:

The Natural Ground level of the area is 106 m whereas the average elevation of the permit area is 122 m. Hence, the permit area has an elevation difference of 16 m. The article 27 (2) of the AMMCR 2013 reads that „The permit for extraction of ordinary earth shall be granted only upto a maximum depth of nine feet measured from the natural ground level of said area‟. The reserve estimation of the permit area up to the natural ground level could be estimated as follows:

The area of the Permit site =1.73 Hectares = 17,300 Sq. M The elevation difference of the permit area up to the natural ground level = 16 M The permissible maximum Depth of Mining from the natural ground level = 3 M (9 ft) Total mineable depth of the mineral reserve ( 8 M + 3 M) = 19 M So, the total reserve of the minerals available would be = 17,300 x 19 = 3,28,700 Cu M

The above quantity may be termed as „ Inferred Reserve‟ of the mineral and the actual mineral reserve will be less than the inferred reserve as a considerable volume of the minerals will have to be left un-mined for preparation of the benches/ steps as per opencast mining practice . Moreover, this Mining Permit is issued only for 50,000 Cu M for the time being. This has been explained separately in the later chapters.

MINERALS TO BE MINED:

As per the Letter of Intent (LOI), Letter No.B/KAE/Stn-Snd/Pt/ LOI/2019-20/5173-75, Dated:26/09/2019 the Mining permit is granted for 50,000.00 cubic meter of earth upto March 2020.

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For extraction of ordinary earth under the opencast mining method, benches of 1.5 M width were to be made after every 1 M depth of mining. Such a practice not only provides the stability of the mined area but also helps Mining equipment and mine workers movement. Such benches could be considered as reserve loss during the Opencast Mining. Though the amount of loss varies from Mine-to-Mine based on its layout and design, however it is found to be around 5 percent loss of minerals of the inferred reserve (Gross Reserve).

For every 100 cu m of „Net Reserve‟ extraction of minerals around 105 cu m of „Gross Reserve‟ were to be mined. In this specific Mining permit, to extract 50,000 cubic meter of ordinary earth total gross reserve to be mined = 50,000 Cu. M. + (5% X 50,000) Cu. M. = 50,000 Cu. M. + 2,500 Cu. M. = 52,500 Cu. M.

Depth of Mining

In the given permit area the Gross Mineral Reserve and the Net Mineral Reserve at different depth is given hereunder.

Benches Gross Reserve Net Reserve or Minable Depth Available Reserve Bench – 1 1.0 Meter 17,300 Cu. M 16,435 Cu. M Bench – 2 2.0 Meter 34,600 Cu. M 32,870 Cu. M Bench – 3 3.0 Meter 51,900 Cu. M 49,305 Cu. M Bench – 4 4.0 Meter 69,200 Cu. M 65,740 Cu. M

Consequently, to extract the required 50,000 Cu M of ordinary earth, mining will have to be done up to a depth of 4 meters from the top level of the permit area by making four

Mining Plan Page 9 Deihori P126 D568 Earth Quarry M/s MPA-NKA (JV) numbers of benches each of 1 M depth and 1.5 M width. Mining 4 meters from the top level will not contradict the article 27(2) of the AMMCR 2013 as the entire mining operation will take place much above the natural ground level of the area.

The Mining Operation

The mining operation in the permit area will have to be carried out in such a way so that the amount of 50,000 cubic meter of earth could be extracted before March 2020. It implies total 5 months of the mining period.

The wet day frequency analysis in the district envisages around 95 wet days in a year out of which from November to March around 11 days of wet day frequency was recorded. The mining operation could judicially be planned for 140 days out of 151 days of the approved period till March 2020.

So the extraction requirement of ordinary earth per day would be about = 50,000 Cu. M. / 140 Days = 357 Cu M. per Day (Rounded off)

However, the quantity of earth allotted for extraction under the Mining Permit will be within the mineable reserve of earth available up to March 2020 as illustrated above.

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Climate and Rainfall:

The region witnesses typical sub-tropical monsoon climate characterized by high relative humidity (73 to 84%) throughout the year. The climate is mainly influenced by south-west monsoon from Bay of Bengal. The overall climate is characterized by hot and moist summer and cool winter and is divided into four distinct seasons. The hot and the cold months are very distinct.

Annual Rainfall

1572.2 1576.0 1600.0

1400.0 1252.3 1216.1 1155.8 1200.0 1030.5 1000.0

800.0

600.0

400.0

200.0

0.0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Data Source: India Meteorological Department (Ministry Of Earth Sciences)

The analysis of recent annual rainfall records of Karbi Anglong envisages 1300 mm

Average Annual Rainfall in the District. It also demonstrates an upward trend of the annual precipitation in the district.

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Monthly Mean Rainfall Analysis

Monthly Mean Rainfall 800

700

600

500

400

300

700.4858725 633.8162843

200

107.5545196

487.1560294 445.7738137

100

340.4499706

37.30958824

33.3907549

14.992

9.284715686 234.735598

0 197.7587157 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Data Source: India Water Portal

The monthly mean Rainfall analysis of for a period of more than a century shows predominant precipitation from May to August. From the month of March to May pre-monsoon shower and August to October post-monsoon shower prevails in the district.

The rainfall pattern has a good bearing in the number of Mining Days in the District. Those days with high precipitation is not safe for the Mine workers as well as for the mining equipments. It is also advisable to stop the mining operation in the days of high precipitation for the safety and comfort of the wildlife in particular and other flora and fauna of the neighboring areas in general.

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Wet Day Frequency Analysis

More than the amount of rainfall, what matters more for a Mine planning is, perhaps, the

Wet Day Frequency (1901 - 2002)

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Data Source: India Water Portal

Months WDF Wet Day Frequency in every Month. The analysis of hundred Jan 1.15 Feb 1.99 year‟s rainfall data, it is observed that the Month of June has the Mar 5.26 highest Wet Days followed by July and August. The performance Apr 9.90 May 12.52 of the Mine is expected to reduce by almost 50% for these 3 Jun 15.60 months. Jul 15.42 Aug 14.03

Sep 10.38 In the period of Pre-Monsoon and Post-Monsoon, the intermittent Oct 5.57 Nov 1.74 rainfall might facilitate the Stone Mining immensely due to wet and Dec 0.94 dry condition. However, from the month of November to February, Total 94.50

Mining conditions will remain dry and dusty. Hence, necessary precautions by the mine workers need to be taken against any potential health hazards.

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Temperature of Karbi Anglong District

Monthly Temperature (Mean 1901 - 2002) Due to South-West monsoon circulating over low Month Minimum Maximum Average lying hills and absence of any streamlined Jan 9.118 20.848 14.967 Feb 10.852 22.438 16.628 movement of wind, summer temperature remains Mar 14.594 26.162 20.357 comparatively high. The temperature data for 100 Apr 17.384 27.069 22.207 May 19.321 27.484 23.382 years shows that the maximum monthly mean Jun 21.234 27.599 24.399 Jul 22.134 28.017 25.061 temperature in Karbi Anglong is recorded as Aug 22.024 28.150 25.071 30.5350 in the Month of April 1960. The minimum Sep 21.602 28.204 24.886 Oct 19.212 27.178 23.176 monthly mean temperature in the same period is Nov 14.757 24.771 19.744 recorded as 6.9250 in the month of January 1937. Dec 10.732 21.712 16.203

The relative humidity is very high during monsoon and exceeds ninety percent. Even in dry months humidity does not go below seventy percent.

Monthly Mean Temperature (1901 - 2002) 30.000

25.000

20.000 Minimum 15.000 Maximum 10.000 Average

5.000

0.000 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Data Source: India Water Portal

Ground Water Resources

As per the report of the Central Ground Water Board, Hydrogeologically, the entire district can be divided into three units (1) Consolidated formations comprising oldest granite rock, gneisses etc.

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(2) Semi-consolidated rocks constituting the Tertiary rocks and (3) The unconsolidated alluvial sediments.

In the consolidated formation, ground water is confined to the top weathered zone and the fractures and fissures of the fresh hard rock. The thickness of the weathered zone depends on compactness and topography of rock types and other climatic effects.

The depth to water level varies from 4 to 6 m in low terraced zone and 8 to 10 m in high terraced zones. In small valleys within denudational hills, the static water level is 5 to 7 m bgl with water level fluctuation ranging from 2 to 3 m. The depth of the weathered materials generally is from 10 – 20 m.

Based on the tube well data drilled by CGWB the sub-surface aquifer geometry is described as follows: - The shallow aquifer constitutes mixture of sand, clay with little gravel. Its thickness varies from 15 to 30 m. Ground water occurs under water table to semi- confined conditions. - The deeper aquifers consist of fine to coarse sand and gravel with intercalation of clay bands. 3 to 6 aquifer zones are demarcated within stipulated depth. - Auto flow conditions are observed in Ongaon and Nathgaon areas in Howraghat block with piezometric head within 0.5 m to 1.5 m agl with auto flow discharge of 30 to 60 lpm. Auto flow condition is also observed around Bokajan area with fluctuation of piezometric head from 0.3 to 0.5 m in Bokajan, Howraghat and Rongkhong blocks respectively.

The annual replenishable ground water resource of the district is 381.99 mcm and net annual draft is 28.03 mcm. The projected demand for domestic and industrial uses up to 2025 is 31.94 mcm. The stage of ground water development is 8%.

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Ground Water Quality

The chemical constituents in ground water like TDS, bicarbonates, carbonate, chloride, calcium, magnesium, nitrate etc. are with permissible limit for domestic purposes except iron and fluoride. The water is slightly alkaline in nature, the pH value being up to 8.13. The iron content of ground water is found to vary from negligible to 5.0 ppm in shallow zone and 1 to 7.9 ppm in deeper zone. In most of the cases, it exceeds the permissible limit of 0.3 ppm in both shallow and deeper zones. The fluoride (F) content of some parts of the district is high and exceeds the permissible limits. The high concentration of fluoride observed in deeper zones beyond 10 m on the pediment zones.

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Mining:

In order to ensure mineral conservation, systematic mining and protection of environment, the Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules (AMMCR), 1994 has been replaced by AMMCR, 2013 and it has been made mandatory to prepare Mining Plan and progressive Mine Closure Plan for grant of any mineral concessions like “Mining Lease”, “Mining Contract” or “Mining Permit” in respect of minor minerals for systematic and scientific development of all mines, quarries as well as river bed mining.

In the present case, it is proposed to allow the Mining Permit holder to extract earth from the degraded forest land. The Mining Permit area being a compact deposit of earth and to extract the same from this deposit, manual opencast method of mining is suggested. The holder will adopt the followings:

1. The entire boundary of the Mining Permit area will be marked with boundary lines and pillars in all the corner points. The boundary pillars are to be numbered and marked with GPS coordinate there on. Extraction of earth is to be carried out with a bench height of 1.0 meter and extraction has to be completed for the whole area with 1.5 meter bench width. Use of explosives for mining is not required.

2. After complete extraction of mineral up to 1 meter depth, now mining for the 2nd bench of another one meter from the already mined out area within the boundary line to be extracted. During this mining, a bench of 1.5 meter width shall be kept along the whole boundary of the mining block. To facilitate lifting of the ordinary earth, haul roads are to be constructed as shown in the map.

3. After completion of the Bench 2, minerals are to be extracted up to a depth of 1 more meter. Similarly, the mining operation will be on for Bench 3 and Bench 4 too. This will be the final and last bench (Bench 4) because a maximum depth of 4 meter is allowed from the top level to mine the required quantity of mineral.

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Production in the Contract Period:

The Mining Permit proposed to be granted to the applicant M/s MPA-NKA (JV) is the degraded forest land for extraction of earth manually. As per the Letter No.B/KAE/Stn- Snd/Pt/ LOI/2019-20/5173-75, Dated:26/09/2019, of the Division Forest Officer of Karbi Anglong East Forest Divisional, Diphu, the total Mining Permit period is up to March 2020.

As has been estimated and stated in the chapter on Mineable Reserve of mineral, the total quantity of earth available for extraction per day considering mining up to a depth of 4 meters would be 357 cubic meter (rounded off).

Considering the carrying capacity of the Trucks / Dumpers to be deployed is off 5 Cu M average, the total trips to be made by the Trucks/ Dumpers would be about = 357/5 = 71 Trucks/ Dumpers per day (Rounded off).

The quantity of earth stated above is an estimated quantity that may be available for extraction considering the extent of the area of the Mining Permit Site. However, the competent authority shall decide and fix the quantity of earth to be lifted by the Mining Permit Holder as per terms and conditions of the Mining Permit with due emphasis on the impact on environment and ecology of the surrounding areas.

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PROGRESSIVE MINE CLOSURE PLAN:

The “Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules 2013” published in March 2013, has made it mandatory to incorporate “ Progressive Mine Closure Plan” in the Mining Plan vide Rule 52(5) (VIII) of the said rules. Such a Mine Closure Plan is useful in case of opencast mines or quarries only wherein the question of phased restoration, reclamation and rehabilitation of land affected by mining operation is involved.

Here in the present case, mining is to be done for production of earth from Degraded Forest Land. As described earlier, mining of minerals have to be carried out by maintaining four numbers of benches up to a maximum depth of 4 meters. Under the provision of Mine Closure Plan, it is essential to undertake phased restoration and reclamation of the void created in the mined out area. But in this case, restoration and reclamation of the voids by ordinary earth is not suggested which is not economically viable. The boundary of the area shall have to be planted by suitable plantation for control of erosion as well as for environmental and economic benefit.

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CONCLUSION:

The proposed Mining Permit for earth is covering an area of 1.73 Hectares, allotted to M/s MPA-NKA (JV), with his office in Bokakhat Chariali, P.O. Bokakhat, P.S. Bokakhat, District: Golaghat, Assam, is meant for extraction/ collection of earth from the Periodic Khiraj Patta Land vid Patta no. 126 Dag no. 568 at Deihori, Mauza - Duarbagori under Silonijan Revenue Circle, P.O. Deithor, P.S. Deithor, Dist. Karbi Anglong, Assam – 782480, within March 2020. The area is composed of compact earth which will be mined in an opencast method of mining as explained in the previous chapters. Like any other mining operations, there is no cutting of trees; blasting etc. shall have to be carried out under this Mining Permit. The following conclusions are drawn:

1. The Mining Permit involves collection of 50,000 Cubic Meter of earth from Periodic Khiraj Patta Land vid Patta no. 126 Dag no. 568 at Deihori, Mauza - Duarbagori under Silonijan Revenue Circle, P.O. Deithor, P.S. Deithor, Dist. Karbi Anglong, Assam – 782480, up to March 2020 at the rate of 357 Cu. M per Day of earth extraction.

2. There is no any rare, endangered species of flora and fauna found in this area as per record of the Forest Department.

3. There will not be any chances of cutting of trees in this area.

4. Adverse impact on the surrounding environment due to operation of the Mining Permit will be negligible.

5. A detailed programme for reclamation of the area has been described in the “Progressive Mine Closure Plan” to combat the ecology of the area.

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6. The earth collection from the Degraded Forest Land would be utilized for 'Kaziranga Sub-Project' under W.O. nos FREMAA (P) /Tech/94 2018/116/27 dated 29th Sept/2018.

7. The operation of the Mining Permit would help in upliftment of socio- economic scenario of the locality.

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