Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar Quarry Lease (RCL Quarry Lease-V of the Region)

The Ramco Cements Limited

In Cluster with RCL Quarry Lease-I of Category A

Minor Minerals: Lime Kankar & Clay (Black Cotton Soil)

Extent of 123.26.5 Ha; Proposed Production : Lime Kankar ROM @ 0.5 MTPA & Clay (Black Cotton Soil) @ 0.025 MTPA

Vadakkunatham Village, Aruppukottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu

Environmental Clearance under EIA Notification 2006 Schedule Sl. No. 1(a); Category ‘A’ (Mining in >100 Ha)

Application/Form-1 Proposed TOR Feasibility Report Approved Mining Plan

October 2018

EIA Consultant

Ensyscon Enviro Solutions (Ensyscon) (QCI-NABET Sl. No. 383 of List dated 05.09.2018) Old 7, New 14, Shanmuga Naicker Street, K K Nagar, Chennai-600 078. Phone : 044-2364 3663; Fax-044-2364 2663 e-mail : [email protected]

The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar Quarry Lease (RCL Quarry Lease-V of the Region; In Cluster with QL-I)

Minor Minerals: Lime Kankar & Clay (Black Cotton Soil) Extent of 123.26.5 Ha; Production : Lime Kankar ROM @ 0.5 MTPA & Clay (BC Soil) @ 0.025 MTPA

Project Feasibility Report (As per MoEF&CC Guidelines vide Circular No. J-11013/41/2006-IA.II (I) dated 30.12.2010)

1.0 Executive Summary

M/s. The Ramco Cements Limited (RCL) are manufacturers of cement for about 14.45 million tons per annum (MTPA) from their Cement Plants in South India. RCL is operating a Cement Plant at Ramasamy Raja Nagar (RR Nagar) in Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu for the Cement production of 2.0 MTPA. The Cement Plant’s Limestone requirements of 1.630 MTPA Clean Limestone & Lime Kankar are met from the Captive Limestone Mines in Pandalgudi Region viz. Pandalgudi, Maravarperungudi (Lime Kankar), Sivalarpatti and Melvenkateswarapuram Mines. These Mines are in operation since 1976. The Run-Off Mine (ROM) Production of these Mines is about 1.819 MTPA.

The Centralised Crusher & Beneficiation Plant (2.0 MTPA Crushing/Beneficiation capacity) is located at Pandalgudi which is in operation since 1980. The existing Cement Plant operations and Captive Mines operations are in compliance with MoEF&CC Environmental Clearances and TNPCB CTOs conditions.

RCL Cement Plants require both cement grade Limestone and Lime Kankar for the cement manufacturing. The existing Captive Mines are near the Conceptual Stage and the Limestone grade varies constantly. Existing Maravarperungudi Mining Lease supplies about 0.64 MTPA Lime Kankar and Clay and is also at the end of mining stage. Lime Kankar is required for blending with high/low grade limestone to meet the cement grade raw material to the Cement Plant. Thus, RCL proposes the Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar Quarry Lease (termed as RCL Quarry Lease-V in the Region) for Captive Consumption of RCL Cement Plants.

RCL has applied to Grant the Quarry Lease for an area of 174.35.5 Ha for quarrying Lime Kankar and Clay (Black Cotton Soil) in Vadakkunatham village, Aruppukottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu State. Subsequently, Precise Area Communication (PAC) has been issued for an extent of 123.26.5 Ha in Vadakkunatham village by the Tamil Nadu State Industries Department vide Letter No/2169/MMC- 2/2018-1 dated 02.04.2018 for a period of 10 years. The area covered under mining is non-forest type. The entire area applied for Quarry Lease is patta land owned by RCL. There is no Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) issue due to the proposal. There is no litigation/pending case against the proposal.

The Mining Plan has been approved by the Department of Mining & Geology, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Chennai vide Letter No. 584/MM10/2018/LK/Vnr, dated 08.06.2018. As per the Approved Mining Plan, the proposed maximum production from this Lease by Strip Mining would be about Lime Kankar @ 0.50 Million Tonnes per Annum (MTPA) as Run-Off Mine (ROM) basis and Clay (Black Cotton Soil) @ 0.025 MTPA.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

Cluster Situation : Proposed Maravarperungudi Quarry Lease-I (QL-I) is adjacent to QL-V to its north- northwest direction at 0.1 km. A single Public Hearing may be permitted for both Vadakkunatham Kankar Quarry Lease (QL-V) and Maravarperungudi Kankar Quarry Lease (QL-I) with Cluster Situation.

In the total QL area of 123.26.5 Ha, about 88.24.5 Ha is only available for effective mining after leaving the prescribed safety barriers of about 35.02.0 Ha. It is estimated that 24,26,738 Tonnes of Lime Kankar and 18,53,145 Tonnes of Clay (Black Cotton Soil) are mineable from this Quarry Lease with estimated In-situ Geological Reserves of 33,89,788 Tonnes Lime Kankar and 25,88,565 (Black Cotton Soil).

About 11,26,125 Tonnes of Top Soil will have to be removed as Overburden (OB) in the Plan Period to win 15,01,500 Tonnes of Lime Kankar. The ratio of Ore to OB works out to be 1:0.75. About 1,25,000 Tonnes of OB/Clay (Black Cotton Soil) will be utilized in the First Plan Period for cement manufacturing and balance OB will be refilled simultaneously in the Lease voids.

Mine Profile :

Proved Lime Kankar Reserves : 2.427 Million Tonnes Proposed Lime Kankar Production : 0.5 MTPA (max.) Ore:OB Ratio : 1: 0.75 Life of the Mine : 10 years No. of working days/annum : 300 (2 shifts) Pit Configuration : 20 m x 8 m strips Bench Height : - Bench Width : - Bench Slope : - Ultimate Pit Limit-Conceptual : 3 m (bgl); Top RL 64-65 m & Bottom RL 61-62 m Ground Water-table at : 20 m bgl (Postmonsoon) & 25 m (Premonsoon) 45 m RL (Post Monsoon) 40 m RL (Pre Monsoon) Mining will not intersect the ground water-table.

RCL is proposing to establish a Wet Beneficiation Plant at Quarry Lease-I (Washing, Grinding and Floatation) for the ROM Kankar from the Quarry Leases to reduce the Silica Content and enhance the quality of ROM Kankar in meeting the cement plants quality requirement. Till the Wet Beneficiation Plant is commissioned, the existing practice of simple Dry Screening as in Maravarperungudi Mines will be continued to screen-off the interstitial Clay. After screening, the product material will be dispatched to Pandalgudi Crusher for further processing. The screened reject will be separately stacked in the mine itself.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

RCL has its own black top road from existing Kankar Mines nearby to Pandalgudi Crusher. The same road will be extended to this Lease for transport of the Minerals.

As it is a shallow mining upto a depth of 3.0 m BGL and simultaneous refilling is proposed, there will not be any water seepage or water harvesting in the Mine Pit. The mine requires about 3 cu.m/day drinking water for domestic consumption which will be supplied from the RO Plant at Pandalgudi Mine. Domestic sewage generation will be about 2.5 cu.m/day which will be biologically treated in a Septic Tank followed by a Dispersion Trench. No workshop is proposed and thus, no effluent generation from the Mine.

The Mine will also require about 2 cu.m/day for Dust suppression Haulage Road within the Lease Area and another 25 cu.m/day during rainy season and 50 cu.m/day during other seasons for the development and maintenance of Green Belt. The required water will be sourced from existing Captive Mine Pits in Pandalgudi Region.

Out of the total area of Quarry Lease (123.26.5 Ha.), Green Belt and Afforested Area will be about 45.0 Ha with 36.50 % coverage at Conceptual Stage.

This mine will employ about 30 persons directly and 30 persons indirectly. The capital cost of the Project is Rs.4.20 crores. An amount of Rs.7.00 Lakhs has been earmarked as Capital EMP Budget and Rs.5.00 Lakhs per Annum is the Operating Cost towards EMP measures, Green Belt maintenance, Environmental Monitoring, etc. Also, an amount of Rs.3.00 Lakhs per Annum has been earmarked for Occupational Health & Safety Measures.

A budget of 1% of the Project Cost will be allotted as CER Budget. In addition, for the mandatory District Mineral Federation (DMF) @ 10% of Royalty Amount will also be contributed.

The Quarry Lease-V is located in Vadakkunatham village between the Coordinates 09o19’04’’ N to 09o20’07’’ N Latitudes and 78o12’32’’ E to 78o13’38’’ E Longitudes (Survey of India Topo sheet No. 58 K/3). The site is free from seismic effects (Seismic Zone III). There is no environmental issue about the Mines location. There are no eco sensitive areas like National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves, Reserved Forests, Elephant Corridor, Mangroves, Archaeological/Historical Monuments, Heritage sites, etc. within 10 km from the site boundary. The distance of the nearest village Vadakkunatham (in south) is about 1.5 km and Suddhamadam (in north-northwest) is about 1.6 km from the Lease boundary.

Cluster Approach : There is a Lime Kankar Minor Mineral Quarry i.e.Maravarperungudi Quarry Lease-I within 500 m from QL-V. A single Common Public Hearing may be permitted by the Authority for both Vadakkunatham Kankar Quarry Lease (QL-V) and Maravarperungudi Kankar Quarry Lease (QL-I) with Cluster Situation.

The Lime Kankar and Clay to be mined out from this Quarry are Minor Minerals in an extent of 123.26.5Ha (>100 Ha) and falls in Category A of Sl. No. 1(a) of EIA Notification 2006, as amended for prior Environmental Clearance (EC) from MoEF&CC (with or without Cluster Approach). Accordingly, Application/Form-1, Pre Feasibility Report, Proposed Terms of Reference (TOR) for EIA Study and Approved Mining Plan are submitted to the Ministry for the Environmental Clearance of the Project. ***

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

2.0 Introduction of the Project 2.1 Project Proponent

Ramco Group is one of the leading, highly reputed and Second Largest Industrial Group in South India. It is well diversified in the fields of Cement, Ready Mix Concrete, Cement Fibre Products, Cotton and Synthetic Yarn, Software Systems, Wind Farms, Research & Development, Dry Mortar Plants, Cotton Textiles and Surgical. The total employees are about 8,500 and the Turnover of the Group is Rs.6,200 crores. The main companies of RAMCO Group are: v M/s. The Ramco Cements Limited (formerly M/s. Madras Cements Limited) v M/s. Rajapalyam Mills Ltd. v M/s. Ramco Industries Ltd. v M/s. Ramco Systems Ltd.

M/s.The Ramco Cements Limited (RCL) are one of the reputed Cement Companies in India. The cement production of RCL is about 14.45 million tons per annum (MTPA) from their Cement Plants in South India. The company is the second largest cement producer in South India and sixth largest manufacturer of cement in the Country. v Ramasamy Raja Nagar near Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu (established in 1959) : 2.0 MTPA (2 Lines). v Kumarasamy Raja Nagar, Jayantipuram near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh (1986) : 3.65 MTPA (2 Lines). v Alathiyur near Viridhachalam, Tamil Nadu (1997): 3.0 MTPA (2 Lines). v Mathodu near Chithradurga, Karnataka: 0.3 MTPA (since 2000). v Govindapuram near Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu: 5.5 MTPA (established in 2009) (2 Lines).

RCL is also operating Cement Grinding Units at: v Kolaghat (0.95 MTPA; being expanded to 2.0 MTPA) in West Bengal. v Kattuputtur (0.75 MTPA) near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. v Valapadi (2.0 MTPA) near Salem, Tamil Nadu. v Vizag (0.95 MTPA; being expanded to 2.0 MTPA) near Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh.

It is operating a Packing Plant at Nagercoil.

RCL is producing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) and Slag Cement (PSC). The cement produced by RCL is marketed in the brand name of ‘RAMCO’. The brand name RAMCO SUPER GRADE is very popular PPC and RAMCO SUPER STEEL is the slag cement brand. The market centres are mainly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha and West Bengal States.

RCL which has always been striving for Total Quality, possesses International Certificate ISO:9001, ISO:14001, ISO:18001 and IS/ISO:50001. The company has achieved various awards for 'Best Performance' in the Cement Industry and also Green Rating Project Awards 4 Leaves from Centre for Science and Environment for the Year 2005.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

The Ramco Cements Limited is managed by a Board of Directors comprising of eminent personalities as its members. Under the dynamic leadership of Late Shri.P.R.Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, the company has grown into a massive organization. Shri.P.R.Venketarama Raja is the Chairman & Managing Director of the Board. Shri.A.V.Dharmakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is heading the Cement Division and dealing with the environmental issues and EC compliances. Any non-compliance/violations of environmental norms and the corrective actions taken will be reported by the Unit Heads to CEO and by CEO to the Chairman, the Board and the Shareholders.

RCL has the well laid down Safety, Health and Environmental Policy approved by its Board of Directors. Each Unit of RCL is having the Unit Head under whom the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Cell and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee are functioning. The Units are having their Integrated Management System (IMS) Policy. The Contact information of the Corporate Office is :

The President (Mfg.), The Ramco Cements Ltd. 5th Floor, Auras Corporate Centre, No. 98A, Dr.Radhakrishnan Road, Mylapore, Chennai-600 004. Tel. No. : 044-28478666/28478661/28478656 Fax No. : 044-28478676 e-Mail : [email protected]

2.2 Identification of the Project 2.2.1 Ramasamy Raja Nagar Cement Plant

RCL Ramasamyraja Nagar (R R Nagar) Cement Plant was established in the Year 1959 and started the commercial production from the Year 1962. The Cement Plant is located in an extent of 37.47 Ha in SF Nos. 4-16 Parts of Tulukkappatti Village, Virudhunagar Taluk & District of Tamil Nadu State. The Plant has 25 MW coal based Captive Power Plant in an extent of 7.53 Ha falling in SF Nos. 192, 194, 195, 196 Parts in Thammanayakkanpatti (since 2012) and 7 MW furnace oil based PP & 14 MW DG sets for standby operation within the Campus. Township is located in an extent of 25.98 Ha in SF Nos. 1-5 Parts of Tulukkappatti Village and in SF Nos. 112 & 113 Parts of Vachchakkarappatti Village. Township includes 434 Quarters of various categories (A to F Type), Guest Houses, Schools, Community Hall, etc. There are 466 direct employees working in the Plant.

Wet Process to Dry Process conversion was carried out in the Year 1977 with commissioning of India’s First Dry Process Kiln of 1200 TPD capacity. An additional Line of 650 TPD Kiln (Line-II) was commissioned in Year 1994 which was upgraded to a 1000 TPD Kiln in the Year 2001. On obtaining the Environmental Clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), now Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) vide F. No. J-11011/119/2009 IA.II (I) dated 06.07.2009, R R Nagar Cement Plant was expanded (with Line-II) for a Clinker production of 1.097 million tons per annum (MTPA) (from earlier 0.61 MTPA Clinker) and the Cement production of 2.00 MTPA @ 6200 tons per day-TPD (from earlier 1.00 MTPA @ 3102 TPD) (Table 2.1). Clinker from RCL’s other Plants @ 0.28 MTPA is also used for the cement manufacturing. Line-II is in operation since 2011.

The Ministry has awarded the EC for 25 MW CPP vide F. No. J-13012/112/2011 IA.II (T) dated 06.02.2012. The Consents to Operate (CTOs) from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) were

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

obtained and are being renewed (RCTOs) periodically. RCTOs for the Cement Plant are 180818260593 (Water Act) & 180828260593 (Air Act) dated 28.02.2018 which are valid till 31.03.2019 and for CPP are 180818261322 (Water Act) & 180828261322 (Water Act) dated 12.03.2018 which are valid till 31.03.2022.

Table : 2.1 RR Nagar Cement Plant Production

Kiln Clinker Clinker Cement Environmental TNPCB CTO Orders Plant Capacity, Production, Outsourced, Production, Clearances Reference References TPD MTPA MTPA MTPA Line-I 1800 0.61 - 0.90 180818260593 (Water Act) & Line-II 1400 0.48 - 0.70 F. No. J- 180828260593 (Air RCL’s 11011/119/2009 IA.II Act) dated other - - 0.28 0.40 (I) dated 06.07.2009 28.02.2018 with Plants Validity till Total 3200 1.09 0.28 2.00 31.03.2019 180818261322 (Water Act) & F. No. J- 180828261322 (Air 25 MW - - - - 13012/112/2011 IA.II Act) dated CPP (T) dated 06.02.2012 12.03.2018 with Validity till 31.03.2022

All air pollution control equipments for Particulate Matter (PM) Emission <30 mg/Nm3 and monitoring equipments are installed in the Cement Plant Complex viz. ESP to cooler and power plant, reverse air bag house to raw mills / kilns and bag filters to coal mills and cement mills. In compliance with MoEF&CC norms, Online Monitoring Systems are provided at all major stacks of the Cement Plant & CPP stack and are connected online to Care Air Centre of TNPCB. One Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station is also installed in the Premises and connected to Care Air Centre of TNPCB/CPCB.

The Cement Plant & CPP Plant operations are in compliance with MoEF&CC Environmental Clearances and TNPCB CTOs conditions. Also, RCL Cement Plant operations are complying with Charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP) Guidelines. Occupational Health Centre for Emergency Care and Ambulance with well equipped emergency handling facilities are available (Medical Officer with MBBS, DIH qualification).

About 40-45% of cement produced from RR Nagar Cement Plant is being dispatched to the marketing centres in Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu and about 55-60% to the marketing centres in South Kerala including Thiruvananthapuram. The Contact Information of R R Nagar Cement Plant is as follows :

The Sr. Vice President (Mfg.), The Ramco Cements Limited, Ramasamyraja Nagar Post, Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu-626 204. Tel. Nos. : 04562-256201 to 256203 Fax : 04562-256268

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

2.2.2 Captive Mines in Pandalgudi Region

RR Nagar Cement Plant’s Limestone requirement (1.630 MTPA Clean Limestone) are met from Captive Limestone Mines in Pandalgudi Region viz. Pandalgudi, Maravarperungudi, Sivalarpatti and Melvenkateswarapuram Mines. These Mines are in operation since 1976. The Run-Off Mine (ROM) Production of these Mines is about 1.819 MTPA (Table 2.2).

Table : 2.2 Captive Mines and their Production

Existing Sl. Extent, Environmental Clearances TNPCB CTO Order MCL Mine Production No. Ha Reference References , MTPA 1. MoEF&CC F. No. J- 1805111425633 11015/544/2007.IA.II(M) dated (Water Act) 26.03.2009-189.45 HA 1805211425633 (Air Pandalgudi (3 Leases) 2. SEIAA-TN/F.No. Act) dated 27.02.18 & 1 203.655 0.388 631/1(a)/EC-1375/2014 dated (Limestone) 17.06.2014 – 9.46 Ha Valid till 31.03.2019 3. SEIAA-TN/F.No. (GO 434-0.305 MTPA 3262/VRD/1(a)/EC-2084/2015 over an extent of dated 01.04.2015 – 4.745 Ha 189.45 Ha) 1808128101930 ( (W) Maravarperungudi J-11015/69/2008-IA.II(M) & 1808228101930 (A) 2 (Lime Kankar & Clay) 198.515 0.640 dated 26.03.2009 dt. 17.05.2018 valid till

31.03.2020 1808112338482 ( (W) J.11015/192/2005/ IA. II (M) & 1808212338482 (A) 3 Sivalarpatti (Limestone) 150.110 0.690 dated 02.02.2006 dt. 15.05.2018 valid till 31.03.2020 1808112536070 ( (W) Melvenkateswarapuram J.11015/6/99/ IA. II (M) dated & 1808212536070 (A) 4 98.620 0.101 (Limestone) 22.11.1999 dt. 15.05.2018 valid till 31.03.2019 Total 650.910 1.819 - -

The Centralised Crusher & Beneficiation Plant is located in an extent of 31.89 Ha, with 2.0 MTPA Crushing/Beneficiation capacity, at the Pandalgudi which is in operation since 1980. There are 2 colonies for the Mine Employees and Workers along with a Middle School and a Community Hall located at Pandalgudi.

Pandalgudi Mine Pits are located to about 6.6 km (aerial) distance from northwest to southeast with National Highway (NH)-38 (earlier NH-45B) & Pandalgudi Bypass separate them northwesterly and southeasterly. Sivalarpatti Mine, with North & South Blocks separated by Lovely Chemicals Mine, is located at a distance of 4.4 km southeast of Pandalgudi Mine. Melvenkateswarapuram Mine is at a distance of 0.8 km in southeast of Sivalarpatti Mine. Maravarperungudi Kankar Mines are located at a distance of 6 km in the east from Pandalgudi Mines and 4.2 km northeast of Sivalarpatti Mine.

These Mines and also Pandalgudi Crusher with RR Nagar Cement Plant (18 km in WNW direction) are connected with RCL’s own Tar road. Mines to Crusher road is of 14 km each from Melvenkateswarapuram Mine and Maravarperungudi Mine. There is a Road-over-Bridge on the NH-38 for the dedicated Mine Road. These Captive Mines are located in Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi Districts of Tamil Nadu. These Captive Mines, Crusher and RR Nagar Cement Plant are shown in the Regional Map (Plate I).

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

RCL also proposes new Mine & Quarry Blocks over an extent of 1227.22 Ha viz. Sivalarpatti Mining Lease-II (129.720 Ha; 0.24 MTPA ROM), Maravarperungudi Quarry Lease-I (498.87 Ha; 1.333 MTPA ROM), Maravarperungudi Quarry Lease-II (23.29 Ha; 0.114 MTPA Kankar & 0.011 MTPA Clay), Vadakkunatham Quarry Lease V ((Plate II), etc. in the Region (Table 2.3).

Table : 2.3 Land Holdings by RCL in Pandalgudi Region

Sl. No. Name of the Mine Own Patta Land, Ha Govt. Land, Ha Total Area, Ha I Existing Mines : 1 Pandalgudi 189.670 13.985 203.655 2 Maravarperungudi 198.515 - 198.515 3 Sivalarpatti Lease-I 149.230 0.880 150.110 4 Melvenkateswarapuram 97.825 0.795 98.620 II Pandalgudi Crusher 31.890 - 31.890 III Colonies-2 Nos. 14.370 - 14.370 Sub Total 681.50 15.66 697.16 IV Proposed Mines : 1 Sivalarpatti Lease-II 128.745 0.975 129.720 2 Maravarperungudi QL-I 498.870 - 498.870 3 Maravarperungudi QL-II 23.290 - 23.290 4 Maravarperungudi QL-III 158.865 - 158.865 5 Koppuchithampatti QL-IV 294.185 - 294.185 6 Vadakkunatham QL-V 123.265 - 123.265 Sub Total 1227.22 0.975 1227.22

2.2.3 Organisation Chart

The hierarchical system of the Company to deal with the environmental issues and for ensuring compliance with the environmental clearance conditions is appended.

Organization Chart

Chairman & Managing Director Shri.P.R.Venketarama Raja

Chief Executive Officer Shri A.V.Dharmakrishnan

President (Mfg.) – Corp. Office Vice President (Mfg.) & Unit Head Mr. M. Srinivasan

Head-Admin. GM Works Head-Mines Head-Env. & Medical Officer CSR

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

Plate : II RCL Mines & Vadakkunatham Quarry Lease (QL-V) in High Resolution Satellite Imagery

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

2.3 Need for the Project

2.4 Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar Quarry Lease

In addition to the existing Leases in Pandalgudi Region, RCL is proposing Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar Quarry Lease for quarrying Lime Kankar and Clay (Black Cotton Soil) over an extent of 123.26.5 Ha in S.F. Nos. parts of 7 to 15, 17 to 32, 34, 40, 101 to 103, 107 to 109, 113, 118, 124 to 130, 132, 138 to 139 & 213 to 215 of Vadakkunatham village, Aruppukottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu (Fig. 1.1).

Precise Area Communication (PAC) has been issued by the Tamil Nadu State Industries Department vide Letter No/2169/MMC-2/2018 dated 02.04.2018 for a period of 10 years.

The Mining Plan has been approved by the Department of Mining & Geology, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Chennai vide Letter No. 584/MM10/2018/LK/Vnr, dated 08.06.2018.

With Precise Area Notification and approved Mining Plan for the Lease, RCL has to apply and obtain the Environmental Clearance for the Lease for the Grant of Quarry Lease and for execution of the Lease.

The area covered under mining is non-forest type. The entire area applied for Quarry Lease is patta land owned by RCL. There is no Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) issue due to the proposal. There is no litigation/pending case against the proposal. The Surface Plan has been given as Plate III.

As per PAC and approved Mining Plan, Safety Barriers to the extent of 35.02 Ha will be maintained as detailed below : v 7.5 meters safety distance all along the boundary of the area applied for Quarry lease as indicated in the Lease Plan. v 50 metres safety distance on either side of Odai (Streams) flowing through the QL applied area. v 10 meters safety distance on either side of Cart track passing through QL applied area.

In the total QL area of 123.26.5 Ha, about 88.245 Ha is only available for effective mining after leaving the prescribed safety barrier. The Safety Barriers will be maintained without any disturbance till end of the Quarrying or expiry of the Lease.

Cluster Situation : Proposed Maravarperungudi Quarry Lease-I (QL-I) is adjacent to QL-V to its north- northwest direction at 0.1 km.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

Plate : III Surface Plan

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

Water Courses : The area is almost flat and plain terrain with a gentle slope towards south east. The seasonal Uppu Odai (Nallah) drains the area. There is no major River course in the vicinity. Seasonal First and Second order streams are originating from the QL Area and joins the Uppu Odai so as to confluence with Seasonal Vaippar River in the south. As per PAC for QL, the safety barrier of 50 metres on either side of Odais/Nallahs are provided and the Nallahs and their flows will be maintained as such till the Conceptual Stage.

Table : 2.4 Boundary Pillars Coordinates

Boundary Pillar No. North Lattitude East Longitude

BP-1 N 09° 19' 39" E 78° 12' 32" BP-2 N 09° 19' 42" E 78° 12' 49" BP-3 N 09° 19' 58" E 78° 12' 48" BP-4 N 09° 20' 07" E 78° 12' 53" BP-5 N 09° 20' 03" E 78° 13' 09" BP-6 N 09° 20' 02" E 78° 13' 21" BP-7 N 09° 20' 02" E 78° 13' 27" BP-8 N 09° 19' 55" E 78° 13' 32" BP-9 N 09° 19' 43" E 78° 13' 35" BP-10 N 09° 19' 29" E 78° 13' 38" BP-11 N 09° 19' 18" E 78° 13' 31" BP-12 N 09° 19' 04" E 78° 13' 28" BP-13 N 09° 19' 07" E 78° 13' 09" BP-14 N 09° 19' 20" E 78° 13' 17" BP-15 N 09° 19' 26" E 78° 13' 23" BP-16 N 09° 19' 41" E 78° 13' 21" BP-17 N 09° 19' 34" E 78° 13' 11" BP-18 N 09° 19' 23" E 78° 13' 03" BP-19 N 09° 19' 16" E 78° 13' 02" BP-20 N 09° 19' 19" E 78° 12' 54" BP-21 N 09° 19' 27" E 78° 12' 53" BP-22 N 09° 19' 31" E 78° 12' 43"

As per the Approved Mining Plan, the proposed maximum production from this Lease by Strip Mining would be about Lime Kankar @ 0.50 Million Tonnes per Annum (MTPA) as Run-Off Mine (ROM) basis and Clay (Black Cotton Soil) @ 0.025 MTPA.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

The mineral Lime Kankar & Clay (Black Cotton Soil) will be utilized as raw material for Cement manufacture by blending with limestone from Pandalgudi, Melavenkateswarapuram and Sivalarpatti Mines which is marginally plus cement grade quality.

2.5 Environmental Setting

The Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar Quarry Lease is located in Vadakkunatham village between the Coordinates 9o19’04” - 9o20’07” N Latitudes and 78o12’32- 78o13’38” E Longitudes; Survey of India Topo sheet No.58 K/3. The site is free from seismic effects (Seismic Zone III). There is no environmental issue about the Mines location. There are no eco sensitive areas like National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves, Reserved Forests, Elephant Corridor, Mangroves, Archaeological/Historical Monuments, Heritage sites, etc. within 10 km from the site boundary.

The general elevation of the QL area is 64-65 m aMSL. Seasonal Uppu Odai drains the region (flows at 2.6 km in Northeast). Seasonal Vaippar River flows at a distance of 18.5 km in Southwest. Gulf of Mannar is at 30.5 km in SE and Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is at 36 km distance in SE.

Single crop (dry) occupies larger part of the study area. The current land use of the proposed QL area is predominantly dry crop and undeveloped/barren land.

The distance of the nearest village Vadakkunatham is about 1.5 km in south and Suddhamadam is at 1.6 km in north-northwest from the Lease boundary. Pandalgudi is at 13.0 km in NW. Taluk Headquarters Aruppukottai Town is at 22 km in North-nothwest and District Headquarters Virudhunagar is at 37.0 km in NW direction from the Lease Area.

Madurai-Thoothukudi Section of NH-38 passes at a distance of 12.4 km in the WNW. A road from Pudur to Paralachi is passing through Vadakkunatham Village and is 0.5 km south of the Lease Area. The road is also connected to the RCL dedicated Mine Haulage Road. Southern Railway Line of Virudhunagar- Aruppukottai-Manamathi Section runs at 22.0 km distance in N from the Lease Area.

Madurai Airport is at 56.0 km in NNW direction, Thoothukudi Airport is at 68.0 km in SSW and Chennai Airport is at 455 km in NE. VOC Port at Thoothukudi is at 61.0 km in S direction from the Lease Area.

Cluster Approach : There is Minor Mineral Quarry within 500 m from QL-V viz. Maravarperungudi Quarry Lease I (498.87 Ha) is located at a distance of 0.1 km in SE.

Maravarperungudi Quarry Lease II (23.29 Ha) is at 8.7 km in NW, Maravarperungudi Quarry Lease III (158.86.5 Ha) is at 7.8 km in NW and T.Koppuchitampatti Quarry Lease IV (294.18.5 Ha) is at 12.2 km in NW direction.

2.6 Mine Profile 2.6.1 Geology

This area geologically falls under a part of the Archaean and Quaternary formations of South Indian Peninsula. The integration of geological maps (Geological Survey of India) and the interpretation of the

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

satellite data followed by field checks show that the rocks of the Archaean era in this area is made up of Quartz vein.

The Precambrian of peninsular India has been classified into Cratons and mobile belts. In all these places Archaean to Proterozoic highly deformed amphibolites facies to granulite facies mobile belts. The litho assemblage of Charnockite, Khondalite (Southern Granulite Complex) and Peninsular Gneissic Complex of Archaean to Palaeoproterozoic age besides Quaternary calcretes are exposed in the area. Quartzite, calc granulites associated with crystalline limestone bands and garnet-sillimanite gneiss belonging to Khondalite and Charnockite Group occur as enclaves within the country rock of hornblende- biotite gneiss.

Geological Formations : The general geological formations met with in the area are as follows :

Alluvium, of the Vaippar. Recent and Sub-recent Black soils, laterite, Kankar and tufa etc.

6. Younger granitic injections, pegmatite etc.

5. Charnockites and associated hybrid types.

4. Mixed Gneisses - Garnetiferous, granitoid and

mica gneiss and other composite types.

3. Crystalline limestone, calciphyre and calc- Pre-Cambrian Metamorphic Group granulites. 2. Quartzite. 1. Basic metamorphic rocks such as amphibolites, epidiorites, pyroxene and biotite schist and pyroxene- granulite.

Black-cotton soil : The Archaean gneisses are covered with thick black-cotton soil almost all over the area. The black soil is over 1.0 to 1.50 mts. The soil supports a variety of crops including cotton, kambu, ground-nut, millets and occasionally chillies. Usually there is only one crop every year. Among wild plants growing on this soil acacia arabica, jatrophus and cassia articulate are most common.

Kankar and Tufa : The black cotton soil contains a large amount of loose, nodules of kankar widely scattered in it. They are probably derived from the soil and deposited by ground water. The kankar usually contains a large amount of siliceous impurities.

A hard layer of lime kankar is seen covering the gneisses in a few small patches especially in the south- eastern portions of the area near Maravarperungudi and Suddhamadam. The lime kankar is seen as a capping about one foot thick and contains large amount visible siliceous inclusions. It is underlain by a layer of loose, sandy soil, rich in calcareous material which again grades into the gneissic bed-rock.

The Kankar beds of around 1.0 to 1.50 meter thick (Average-1.25 m) is overlain by around 0.4 m thick of nodular Kankar intermixed with clay and in turn by around 1.5 m thick block cotton soil. The lithological succession is illustrated below:

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

The Kankar in this area is mostly gravelly type intermixed with more clay and overlain by 0.10 m to 0.40 m thick nodular Kankar. The Kankar occurrence is horizontally bedded and is grey to whitish in colour. The deposit is almost flat filling over the old eroded surface and hence the lower contact will follow the surface of the old eroded country rock.

2.6.2 Resources

The existence of mineralization in the area applied for Quarry Lease has been ascertained from the nearby working mines of the applicant firm. Based on the volume of excavation and its weight, the Bulk Density of both litho unit was measured. Bulk Density of 1.65 T/M3 and 2.20 T/M3 is considered for Black cotton soil and Lime Kankar respectively.

It is estimated that 24,26,738 Tonnes of Lime Kankar and 18,53,145 Tonnes of Clay (Black Cotton Soil) are mineable from the estimated In-situ Geological Reserves of 33,89,788 Tonnes Lime kankar and 25,88,565 (Black Cotton Soil). (Table 2.5).

Table : 2.5 Assessed Resources

Reserves, Tonnes Sl. No. Particulars Extent in Ha. Lime Kankar Clay 1 In-situ Geological Reserves 123.26.5 33,89,788 25,88,565 2 Blocked up Reserves 35.02.0 9,63,050 7,35,420 3 Mineable Reserves 88.24.5 24,26,738 18,53,145

2.6.3 Quality

The chemical analysis of Lime Kankar and Clay are as under.

Material LOI% SiO2% Al2O3% Fe2O3% CaO% MgO% Na2O% K2O% Lime Kankar 30.70 19.92 4.31 1.96 38.85 0.25 0.16 1.31 Clay 7.65 48.43 14.32 9.02 16.58 2.27 0.05 0.16

The cut of grade is a grade below which ore will not be economical. The cut of grade for lime kankar is fixed as +35% CaO.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

2.7 Mining

Mechanized Opencast Mining, without Drilling and Blasting, with deployment of heavy earth moving machineries of low HP will be adopted. The average depth of over burden black cotton soil is 1.25 m. The maximum depth of the Mine will be of 3.0 m only. The proposed maximum production from this Lease by Strip Mining would be about Lime Kankar @ 0.50 Million Tonnes per Annum (MTPA) as Run-Off Mine (ROM) basis and Clay (Black Cotton Soil) @ 0.025 MTPA.

The deposit will be mined by a simple system of simultaneous development, production and refilling by the same excavator called strip mining. Simultaneous reclamation activities will be continued upto the end of mine life. Thus, there will be no Top Soil/OB Dump as the entire Top Soil will be refilled in the mined out pit simultaneously. Life of the Mine is 10 years only.

The entire area will be mined by dividing it into number of strips of about 8 m width and 25 m long, corresponding to the yearly production quantity. Initially, a long trench like excavation for a sufficient length on black cotton soil will be made to expose the Kankar and then the Kankar will be mined by the same excavator. The next strip, just adjacent to the previous strip, will be mined in the similar manner but the black cotton soil will be side-casted to the exhausted adjacent strip.

Thus, the refilling will be done simultaneously along with development and hence there will be no external dumps. This is a simple system of simultaneous side casting of overburden black cotton soil and excavation of the exposed Kankar by the same Excavator. (2 Nos. EX-200). Since the developmental top soil will be side-casted on the Kankar exhausted adjacent strip, there will not be any hauling of developmental reject and no external dump. In this method of mining, the Kankar exhausted area will be refilled simultaneously along with production and development activity.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

Schematic Diagram of proposed Mining Method

It is calculated that about 11,26,125 Tonnes of over burden soil will have to be remove as Overburden (OB) in the Plan Period to win 15,01,500 Tonnes of Lime Kankar. The ratio of Ore to OB works out to be 1:0.75. About 1,25,000 Tonnes of OB will be utilized in the First Plan Period for cement manufacturing and balance OB will be refilled simultaneously. As it is a shallow mining upto a depth of 3.0 m BGL and simultaneous refilling is proposed, there will not be any water seepage or water harvesting in the Mine Pit.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

Mine Profile :

The Mine Layout, Geological Plan with Sections, End of Fifth Year Plan and Conceptual Plan (from Mining Plan) are given in the appended approved Mining Plan.

2.8 Proposal Benefits

This mine will employ about 30 persons directly and 30 persons indirectly. The direct and indirect employment inherently has a positive impact on the Occupational Structure of the area. The proposal ensures the continuous limestone supply to the Cement Plant. The Project will be beneficial and important to the Society and the Country as highlighted : v Royalty, NMET & other Taxes to the Exchequer. v District Mineral Fund (DMF) @ 10% of Royalty (As per Amended TNMMCR,1959, QL granted after 12.01.2015 , DMF is @10% of the Seigniorage fee). v Improved local and regional economy. v Direct and indirect employments. v Improvement in direct and indirect means of livelihoods of local population.

3.0 Project Description 3.1 Type of Project

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

3.2 Alternative Sites

Mineral deposits are site specific and therefore, the need to identifying alternative site does not arise.

3.3 Size/Magnitude of Operation

Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar Quarry Lease is a new Captive Mine over an extent of 123.26.5 Ha for the proposed Maximim Production of Lime Kankar ROM @ 0.5 Million Tonnes per Annum and 0.025 Million Tonnes Clay (Black Cotton Soil). Mine will be worked fully by Mechanized Opencast Non-Conventional Method of Mining (Strip Mining). There will be no Drilling & Blasting. Also, there will be no Top Soil/OB Dump as the entire Top Soil will be refilled in the mined out pit simultaneously. Life of the Mine is 10 years only.

3.4 Yearwise Production

The estimated Mineable Lime Kankar reserves is 2.427 million Tonnes. It is proposed that about 11,26,125 Tonnes of over burden soil will have to be remove as Overburden (OB) in the Plan Period to win 15,01,500 Tonnes of Lime Kankar. The ratio of Ore to OB works out to be 1:0.75. About 1,25,000 Tonnes of OB will be utilized in the First Plan Period for cement manufacturing and balance OB will be refilled simultaneously. Table 3.1 shows the production and development Quantity for the plan period.

Table : 3.1 Proposed Development & Production

Clay Development Consumption Balance Lime Kankar Ore: Waste Year (Top Soil Removal), from Developmental ROM, Tonnes Ratio Tonnes Development, Rejects, Tonnes Tonnes

I 1,87,688 2,50,250 25,000 2,25,250 1:0.75 II 1,87,688 2,50,250 25,000 2,25,250 1:0.75 III 1,87,688 2,50,250 25,000 2,25,250 1:0.75 IV 3,75,375 5,00,500 25,000 4,75,500 1:0.75 V 1,87,688 2,50,250 25,000 2,25,250 1:0.75 Total 11,26,125 15,01,500 1,25,000 13,76,500 1:0.75

The total reserves including the Proved mineral reserve : 2.427 Mil.T Proposed production for the first 5 years : 1.502 Mil.T. Balance Reserve available after 5th year : 0.925 Mil.T Proposed annual production from the 6th year to 10th year: 0.185 Mil.T Hence the total life of mine : 10 years

The proposed mining will be in two shifts and will be fully mechanized. The estimated Lime Kankar reserve is 2.427 million Tonnes and the same will be last for about 10 years.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

The mine deploys the machineries as given in Table 3.2.

Table : 3.2 Mine Machineries

Sl. No. Name of the Machine Nos. Capacity 1 TATA Hitachi EX 200 2 1.8 M³ 2 ZL 50 G Wheel Loader 1 3.2 M³ 3 Taurus tippers 7 20 tonnes 4 Water Tanker 1 10 KL

3.5 Solid Wastes

The average depth of over burden black cotton soil is 1.25 meters. It is proposed that about 11,26,125 Tonnes of over burden soil will have to be remove as Overburden (OB) in the Plan Period to win 15,01,500 Tonnes of Lime Kankar. The ratio of Ore to OB works out to be 1:0.75.

About 1,25,000 Tonnes of OB will be utilized in the First Plan Period for cement manufacturing and balance OB will be refilled simultaneously.

3.6 Proposed Land Use

The entire deposit will be exhausted in 10 years. The total area of the Lease is 123.26.5 Ha. Out of which the effective area available for mining will be 88.24.5 Ha. At Conceptual Stage, out of 123.26.5 Ha about 56.24.5 Ha will be the quarried area and will be backfilled fully. About 45.00.0 Ha will be under Green Belt, 1.50.0 Ha under Roads and 0.50.0 Ha under Infrastructures. The total Green Belt Area will be about 45.00.0 Ha with 36.50% coverage (Table 3.3).

Table : 3.3 Land Use Pattern

Existing At the End of Plan Period, At Conceptual Activities Land Use, Ha Stage, Ha Ha Area of excavation Mine Area : 0.500 Mine Area : - - 40.600 56.245 Backfilled : 40.100 Backfilled : 56.245 Storage of Top Soil - - - Overburden/dump - - - Mineral Rejects Dump - - - Infrastructure(Workshop/Building) - 0.500 0.500 Roads - 1.495 1.500 Green belt / Afforestation - 12.000 30.000 Others (Safety Barrier; partly afforested) - 35.020 35.020 Unused 123.26.5 33.65 - Total 123.26.5 123.26.5 123.26.5

When the mine is permanently closed after exhausting entire mineable Kankar, the road will be used for maintaining the green belt developed. The Mine will not have permanent installations of machine, but only mobile mining equipments. All the machinery including screening plant will be disposed-off or shifted to other operating mines on need based.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

3.7 Water Demand & Source

The Water Balance Diagram is appended.

Water Balance Diagram

Nearby existing Mine Pit Water (52 cu.m/day; max.) RO Plant Water (Pandalgudi) (3 cu.m/day)

Dust Suppression Green Belt Domestic Use (2 cu.m/day) (25-50 cu.m/day) Domestic Sewage (2.5 cu.m/day) Septic Tank- Dispersion Trench 3.8 Mine Drainage

Fractured crystalline rocks constitute the important aquifer systems in the study area. The type of aquifer is phreatic or water table unconfined aquifer. These aquifers are highly heterogeneous in nature due to variation in lithology, texture and structural features even within short distances. Ground water generally occurs under phreatic / water table conditions in the weathered mantle and under unconfined to semi- confined conditions in the fissured and fractured zones at deeper levels. Since the mine is shallow in nature and the mining will not intersect water table. As it is a shallow mining upto a depth of 3.0 m BGL and simultaneous refilling is proposed, there will not be any water seepage or water harvesting in the Mine Pit. Since, the mined out area will be refilled immediately after the exhaustion of Kankar, there will not be any opened out pit and no possibility of accumulation of rain water inside the pit.

3.9 Power Demand & Source

100 KVA industrial supply for lighting is required which will be met from TANGEDCO Grid. HSD @ 1000 lits./day for mining equipments. There will be no standby DG set.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

4.0 Site Setting & Analysis 4.1 Connectivity

The Mine area and their villages are well-connected by roads of various hierarchies. The National Highway NH-38 (earlier NH45B) runs @ 12.4 km in west direction of the QL applied area. SH-38 connecting Aruppukottai-Sayalgudi runs at 4.8 km in east. Several State Highways and District Roads are well connected to Aruppukottai Town.

As stated earlier, these Mines and also Pandalgudi Crusher with RR Nagar Cement Plant are connected with RCL’s own Tar road. This Mine will also utilise the extended own Haul Road to the Pit. Mines to Crusher road is of 14 km each from Melvenkateswarapuram Mine and Maravarperungudi Mine. There is a Road-over-Bridge on the NH-38 for the dedicated Mine Road. All the village road intersections are manned by the RCL’s Security. The existing Mines use 20 Tons Tipper for the transportation of the Minerals from the Pits to the Crusher.

4.2 Land Form

By analysing the available land use maps (2000 and 2014), it could be stated that there is no considerable changes in land use classes except agricultural use, current fallow, mining activities, open scrub and dense scrub. There is no much variation in settlement development since the area is backward and agriculture is the main activity apart from the mining activity. As for as agriculture is concerned the people are very much involved in domesticating animals like cow, buffalo, goat, sheep, etc. and raising primary crops. The cropping like ragi, maize, jowar, bajra (cumbu), chillies, coriander and other major salt tolerant crops especially suits for black cotton soil since the area has more clayey soils in and around the mining areas.

Year 2000 Year 2014 Land Use Class Area in sq.km Area in % Area in sq.km Area in % Agriculture 229.0 24.2 246.3 26.1 Current fallow 492.8 52.2 475.3 50.3 Dense Scrub 13.7 1.4 13.7 1.4 Mining 3.6 0.4 3.1 0.3 Open Scrub 136.2 14.4 137.1 14.5 River 8.8 0.9 8.8 0.9 Settlement 15.0 1.6 15.0 1.6 Westland 9.1 1.0 9.1 1.0 Water body 36.4 3.9 36.4 3.9 Total 944.8 100.0 944.8 100.0

4.3 Existing Infrastructure

Industries in the Region : RCL Captive Mines are the main Industry in the region. The India Cements Ltd. (ICL) is operating its Captive Mines at Maravarperungudi in Virudhunagar District and Maniakaranpatti in Thoothukudi District. Other than the Captive Limestone Mines, there are no major industries in the Region. Sree Parameswari Spinning Mills is located at Pandalgudi.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

4.4 Soil Classification

Soils in the District have been classified into i) Deep red Loam ii) Black soil iii) Red sandy soil. The majority of the study area is covered by Black soil. Ferruginous red soils are also seen at places. Black soils are deep to very deep and generally occurs in the depressions adjacent to hilly areas, in the western and central part of district. Alluvial soils occur along the river courses. Red sandy soil is seen all around the Sattur, Kariyapatti, Aruppukotai and Thiruchuli blocks.

4.5 Climatic Data from Secondary Source

Sub-tropical climate prevails over the study area. The temperature is maximum during March to May and it drops from June onwards. The maximum temperature ranges from 40 °C to 44 °C and minimum temperature from 22 °C to 27 °C. The nearest IMD station is Madurai Airport (55 km in north). The nearest Rainfall gauge station is located at Aruppukottai which is in the North from this Lease. The Fifty years of Normal Rainfall recorded is 769 mm out of which, normal NE Monsoon Rainfall is 392.0 mm (Oct-Dec) Normal SW Monsoon Rainfall is 184.0 mm (Jun-Sep) Transit period rainfall from Jan to May is 193.0 m.

4.6 Social Infrastructure Available

These Captive Mines & Leases are located in Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi Districts of Tamil Nadu. The major urban centre in the vicinity of the study area is Aruppukotta,. A few settlements located in an around the mines are Pandalgudi, Pudur, Kallurani, Reddyarpatti and Nagalapuram.

5.0 Planning Brief 5.1 Planning Concept & Amenities/Facilities

6.0 Proposed Infrastructure 6.1 Industrial Area

The total area of 123.26.5 Ha will be under Mining. Existing RCL owned Mine Haulage Road will be used for the haulage of Minerals.

6.2 Residential Area

There are 2 colonies for the Mine Employees and Workers along with a Middle School and a Community Hall located at Pandalgudi. No separate Township is required for this Mine.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

6.3 Green Belt

Predominantly, local species viz. Neem, Eucalyptus, Naval, Tamarind, Teak, Aval Vagai, Mango, Guava, Kodikai, Nettilingam, Coconut, Pungai, Mangium, Casurina, Arasan, Murungai, Banana, Seetha, Vanni, Yellow Arali, etc. are planted and maintained in the existing Mines nearby with a Survival Rate of 70-80%. Out of the total area of Quarry Lease (123.26.5 Ha.), Green Belt and Afforested Area will be about 45 Ha with 36.50 % coverage at Conceptual Stage.

Schedule-I Species Indian Pea Fowl (Pavo cristatus) is commonly found in the region. The birds are observed to be socially moving in these areas along with the human population. The Conservation Plan for Indian Pea Fowl has been prepared in consultation with the Forest Ranger, Villathikulam Range, approved by District Forest Officer- Thoothukudi District and already submitted to the Ministry.

6.4 Social Infrastructure

These existing and proposed Mines in Pandalgudi Region provide Direct Employment to about 222 Persons and Indirect Employment to about 656 Persons. Out of 878 total Employees in these Mines, more than 80% are from local villages. This mine will employ about 30 persons directly and 50 persons indirectly.

RCL is carrying out in number of social activities in and around the villages of its Mines and Factory under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Budget. RCL has the CSR Committee as per the provisions notified by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on February 27, 2014. Based on the CSR Committee and declared CSR Policy of the Company, the following CSR activities will be covered and Reported (& also displayed in the Company website) : v Eradicating extreme hunger and poverty. v Promotion of education & vocational skills. v Ensuring environmental sustainability. v Contribution to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund or any other fund set up by the Central Government or the State Governments for socioeconomic development and relief.

The basic amenities are being developed in coordination with the District Administration. RCL has spent an amount of Rs.4.34 crores during 2011-15 for the CSR activities (Table 6.1).

Table : 6.1 CSR Amount Spent by RCL in the Region

Amount Spent, Rs. Year Plant Mines RSSL Total 2011-12 12,93,111 1,44,000 4,24,474 24,93,485 2012-13 49,06,242 13,25,435 6,57,453 150,79,359 2013-14 34,69,180 47,89,078 11,11,811 119,52,325 2014-15 40,62,474 12,36,400 15,61,929 138,70,795 Total 137,31,007 74,94,913 37,55,667 433,95,964

About 1000 locals are being benefitted every year due to the Medical Camps conducted by RCL (Table 6.2). These camps were conducted in different villages on a rotational basis.

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

Table : 6.2 Medical Camps Conducted by RCL during 2013-14

Public Date Village Type of Camp Attended 10.01.2013 Chennampatti 162 General 06.03.2013 Maravarperungudi 252 General 28.04.2013 Kambathupatti 114 General 29.06.2013 Muthusamypuram 101 General 13.07.2013 Pandalgudi 140 Eye Camp & General Camp 28.09.2013 Suddhamadam 105 Eye Camp 28.12.2013 Kasilingapuram 112 General Total Beneficiaries 986 -

Table : 6.2 (Contn.) Medical Camps Conducted by RCL during 2014-15

No. of Date Place Category Remarks Participants 07.06.2014 North Muthaiyapuram General Medical Camp 125 - Cataract-32 Squint-2 19.07.2014 Puthur Eye Camp 210 Refraction-19 Infection-6 Diabetic-14 Ht-19 09.08.2014 Koppusithampatti General Medical Camp 131 Apenticitis-1 Ch.Ulcer Stomach-2 Cataract-16 Cataract-18 Refractive-6 30.09.2014 Periya Thummakundu General Medical Camp 142 Ht-11 Diabetic-3 Ca-1 Blood Samples Taken- 12.10.2014 Ramco Nagar Mhc-Thyrocare 25 Report Given Free “Nila Vembu 14.02.2015 Ramco Nagar Denque Awareness 180 Kasayam “ -50 Ml/Each Given Free Ambulance Given To 20.02.2014 Ramco Nagar Polio Camp 17 Phc For Public Use*2 Days Total Beneficiaries 830 -

Table : 6.2 (Contn.) Medical Camps Conducted by RCL during 2015-16

No. of Date Place Category Remarks Participants Cataract-16 28.04.2015 Andipatti General Medical Camp 75 Refractive-4 Ht-21 Mela Diabetic-13 27.05.2015 General Medical Camp 96 Arunachalapuram Cataract -5 Infection -1 Diabetic-17 Ht-13 20.06.2015 Sivalarpatti General Medical Camp 125 Cataract-6 Chronic Vertigo-1 Diabetic-14 25.07.2015 Kulakattankurichi General Medical Camp 111 Ht-10

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

No. of Date Place Category Remarks Participants Squint-1 Hearing Loss-1 Blood Samples Taken- 05.08.2015 Ramco Nagar Mhc-Thyrocare 10 Report Given Diabetic-10 22.08.2015 M.V.Puram General Medical Camp 95 Ht-9 Cataract-6 Ht-13 Diabetic-8 Dental Caris-3 15.09.2015 Sennampatti General Medical Camp 110 Tonsilitis-3 Cataract-6 Skinallergy-2 Cataract-23 22.11.2015 Puthur Eye Camp 60 Refraction-18 Fundus-1 17.01.2016& Free Ambulance Given To Ramconagar Polio Camp 44 21.02.2016 Phc For Public Use*2 Days Diabetic-18 Ht-17 29.03.2016 Muthupatti General Medical Camp 82 Refraction-12 Appenticitis-1 Total Beneficiaries 808

Table : 6.2 (Contn.) Medical Camps Conducted by RCL during 2016-17

No. of Date Place Category Remarks Participants Diabetic-12, Ht-10 Cataract -4 04.05.2016 Maniakkaranpatti General Medical Camp 113 Infection Eye-1 Fracture Lt.Hand-1 Diabetic-11,Ht-14, 20.05.2016 Thavasilingapuram General Medical Camp 135 Cataract-5 Diabetic-9, Ht-13. 27.05.2016 Mela Sakkanapuram General Medical Camp 103 Cataract-4 Clubbed Lips-1 Diabetic-17, Ht-15. Cataract-6 22.06.2016 Mettil Patti General Medical Camp 156 Cellulitis-1 Septic Wound-1 Poor Vision-8 Ht-17, Piles-2 24.06.2016 Sennamareddipatti General Medical Camp 152 Diabetic-12 Skinallergy-1 Cataract-18 Refraction-6 31.07.2016 Pandalgudi Eye Camp 122 Dm-8, Ht-12 Hearing Loss-1 Blood Samples Taken- 20.08.2016 Ramco Nagar Mhc-Thyrocare 18 Report Given Diabetic-9, Ht-16 Tonsilitis-2 01.09.2016 Velayuthapuram General Medical Camp 119 Skin Infection-1 Eye Defect-10 Allergy-23 09.09.2016 Udaiyanathapuram General Medical Camp 116 Lri&Cough-48 Fever-3,Skin-4 19.01.2017 Ramco Nagar T.B.Awareness 51 Conducted By G.H-

Ensyscon, Chennai-78. The Ramco Cements Limited Vadakkunatham Lime Kankar QL -123.26.5 Ha; 0.5 MTPA - Virudhunagar Dist., TN

No. of Date Place Category Remarks Participants Viruthunagar Vidya Mandir-Ramco Free Dental Medicines 03.02.2017 Dental Camp 527 Nagar Given Vidya Mandir-Ramco 09.02.2017 Vision Chech-Up Camp 609 Poor Vision-18 Nagar Knee Pain-29 Diabetic-12 18.02.2017 Ramco Nagar Siddha Camp 210 Skin-10 Ulcer Stomach-10 Total Beneficiaries 2,431

6.5 Occupational Health

RCL is operating an Occupational Health Centre at the Factory and Mines for supporting the health care needs of employees & their families as well as local Public on emergency. Periodic Health tests (Pulmonary test, Audiometric test, blood test, chest x-ray examination etc.) have been conducted every year for the employees. Supported by test observations, adequate and need based treatment has been offered to employees. No incidence of occupational related diseases observed during the observation of staff so far.

7.0 Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) Plan

The Project does not involve any R&R and thus, no R&R Plan is envisaged.

8.0 Project Schedule

Based on the proposed rate of production, the reserve will last for 10 years.

8.2 Project Cost

The capital cost of the Project is Rs.4.20 crores. An amount of Rs.7.00 Lakhs has been earmarked as Capital EMP Budget and Rs.5.00 Lakhs per Annum is the Operating Cost towards EMP measures, Green Belt maintenance, Environmental Monitoring, etc. Also, an amount of Rs.3.00 Lakhs per Annum has been earmarked for Occupational Health & Safety Measures.

A budget of 1% of the Project Cost will be allotted as CER Budget. In addition, for the mandatory District Mineral Federation (DMF) @ 10% of Royalty Amount will also be contributed.

9.0 Analysis of Proposal 9.1 Financial & Social Benefits

This is a new Captive Mine for RR Nagar Cement Plant and thus does not require financial viability analysis assessment.

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Ensyscon, Chennai-78.