Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN
1.0 Introduction This report discusses the management plan for mitigation/abatement of adverse environmental impacts and enhancement of beneficial impacts due to mining. The EMP has been designed within the framework of various legislative and regulatory requirements on environmental and socio‐economic aspects. M/s. Excellent Granites proposes to conduct semi mechanized opencast method quarrying for colour granite extraction in an area of 2.825ha in Survey No. 388, Binnala Village, Kanchili Mandal, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh. In Principle of quarry lease called for by Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Andhra Pradesh vide Notice No. 10168/R1‐1/2011 dated 04.07.2011 subject to submission of the approved mining plan within period of 6months. It is proposes to conduct semi mechanized open cast method quarrying for multi color granite production of 1200 m3/annum from the lease area. Mining plan is approved by the Zonal Joint Director of Mines and Geology, Visakhapatnam, Government of Andhra Pradesh vide Letter No. 2662/MP/11 dated 30‐7‐11. Capital proposed for the quarrying is Rs. 13 Lakhs. M/s. Excellent Granites is conscious of its environmental responsibility towards the society in minimizing the pollution load due to this project and accordingly decided to carry out the Environment Management Plan. The objective of preparing environment management plan is to delineate effective measures to control and to mitigate the environmental pollution. This report presents the environment management plan, detailing the environmentally sound technology and the measures needed to contain and mitigate the anticipated environmental impacts due to the project. 1.1 Granite and its uses Granite is a very common intrusive igneous rock. It is light‐colored granulose plutonic rock composed of the minerals feldspar, quartz and biotite & muscovite mica. These minerals make granite white, pink, or light grey. Granite also contains small amounts of dark brown, dark‐green, or black minerals, such as hornblende and biotite mica. Granite is very hard and dense. It can be readily cut into very large blocks and it takes an extremely high polish. The name granite is derived from the Latin word granum, which means
1‐1 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan grain, an obvious reference to the granular texture of granite. The average density of granite is between 2.65 and 2.75 g/cm3, with a compressive strength of above 200 Mega Pascal (MPa). Uses Granite has been extensively used as a dimension stone and as flooring tiles in public and commercial buildings and monuments. With increasing amounts of acid rain in parts of the world, granite has begun to supplant marble as a monument material, since it is much more durable. Engineers have traditionally used polished granite surfaces to establish a plane of reference, since they are relatively impervious and inflexible. Granite tables are used extensively as a base for optical instruments due to granite's rigidity, high dimensional stability and excellent vibration characteristics. Rough‐cut and polished granite is used in buildings, bridges, paving, monuments and many other exterior projects. Indoors, polished granite slabs and tiles are used in countertops, tile floors, stair treads and many other practical and decorative features. Presently, cut and polished granite slabs of 20 mm thickness are preferred for flooring, while tiles of 10 or 12 mm thickness are used for cladding. 1.2 Mining Method The mining operations are in the view of shallow nature of the deposit; open cast mining method shall be adopted in a semi mechanized manner by forming benches of 6m height. Hydraulic excavator and compressor jack hammers were used for cutting the rock. 1.3 Mine Location M/s. Excellent Granites proposes to conduct semi mechanized open cast quarrying for colour granite average production of 1200 m3/Annum. The proposed Quarry lease area of 2.825ha in Survey No. 388, Binnala Village, Kanchili Mandal, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh. The quarry lease area falls in the Survey of India topo sheet no. 74A/12 on Latitude 19° 1'35.55"N and Longitude 84°35'6.27"E with an elevation of 35m. The nearest village is Binnala at a distance of 0.5km from the QL area in SW direction. Nearest Railway station is Jhadupudi at a distance of 3.0km in NE direction. Nearest town is Palasa at a distance of 33km in SW direction. NH‐5 Road Srikakulam to Bhubaneswar is passing at a distance of 2.9km from the QL area in SE direction. Arujunapuram‐ Yekkala village road is passing at a distance of 0.7km in West direction. The lease area can be accessible through a cart track. Bahuda River is
1‐2 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan flowing at a distance of 8.7km from the QL area in NE direction. Jalantrakota reserve forest is at a distance of 2.9km in SW direction. Shandhabhuja reserve forest is at a distance of 5.3km in NW direction. Andhra Pradesh and Orissa interstate boundary is at a distance of 0.3km in NE direction. There are no national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and critically polluted areas observed in 10km radius from the quarry lease area. Quarry lease location map is presented in figure 1.1. Details of the quarry lease area are presented in table 1.1. Table 1.1 Details of the Lease area Area in Ownership of State & District Mandal Village Sy. No. hectares occupancy Andhra Pradesh & Kanchili Binnala 388 2.825Ha Govt Land Srikakulam
1.4 Land use pattern of the lease area The Quarry lease area is a small mound raising to a height of about 15m with boulders from ground level. The granite sheet rock is well exposed without any over burden. Table 1.2 Land use in Lease Area S. No Purpose Extent (Ha) 1 Area under quarrying 2.0 2 Waste dump area 0.5 3 Road 0.015 4 Infrastructure(Office, rest shelter) 0.02 5 Green belt 0.0585 6 Vacant 0.2315 Total 2.825
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Fig 1.1 Quarry Lease Location map of Excellent Granites
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Fig 1.2 Quarry Lease Area of Excellent Granites
1‐5 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan 2.0 Topography The applied Q.L area consists of undulating terrain and comprise of hillock Migmatised Gneiss having a general trend of NE‐SW direction. The quarry lease area is plain land with occupied of colour granite jutting out to the surface. At place the area is covered by a thin veneer of soil which consists of weathered granite in the form of morrum. The maximum RL of the area is 54 m in the Northern part and the minimum RL is 50m in the southern part of the area. 3.0 Regional Geology It is a part of Eastern Ghat group of rocks consisting of charnockites, khondalite and granitoids a variety of hybrid rock formed by the interaction of intrusive granite into the khondalite. The Eastern Ghat group attains a maximum thickness in the Ganjam‐Cuttack tract. It occurs as ridges trending NE‐SW. The Eastern Ghat belt exhibits high grade metamorphism as evidenced by the presence of garnet and silliminite. The charnockite shows intrusive relation toward khondalite and under gone post magmatic changes. Felspathic bands are common due to granitisation. 3.1 Local Geology The terrain in and around the area is of undulating in nature. The major portion of the area is occupied by big of color granite jutting out to the surface to a height of about 4‐5m. The main rock exposed in the area consists of granitised/ Migmatised charnockite, with phenocrysts of feldspar in a fine ground mass. The texture is porphyritic and gneissic type. 3.2 Brief description of litho units The main litho unit present in the applied area is granitised/ Migmatised charnockite in the form of boulders. The colour is blue in some places and light blue in some. The minerals present are Silliminite, Garnet and Quartz. 4.0 Exploration Present Status: The area was initially mapped and geology was plotted on the geological plan. Subsequently, surface samples were collected and based on the market response mining was started. The area is virgin however the adjacent area in Orissa is being for road metal and the granite is exposed there in quite a few places. The granite occurring in the area is similar to the one being worked may be well accepted in the domestic and international market.
1‐6 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan b) Future Programme Future exploration consists of opening a few working faces just to confirm the color consistencies. However the boulders exposed in the area good indication of a boulder deposit. 5.0 ESTIMATION AND CALCULATION OF GEOLOGICAL RESERVES Based on the information obtained from the boulders and exploratory openings in the adjacent area, the ‘proved’ category reserves are estimated to a depth of 5m from the surface. The average length of the deposit is taken as 205m and the average width is taken as 75m depending on the granite exposed in the area. Further a 5m depth from the base of the proved one, is considered for the estimation of the reserves under the ‘probable’ category and 5m zone below the probable zone is considered for estimation of reserve under the ‘possible’ category. The reserves available in the lease are complied as stated below table 1.3. Table 1.3 Reserves Estimation Category Area in m2 Depth Volume Recovery Wastage@ in m in m3 @30% in 70% in m3 m3 Proved 15375 5 76875 23062 53813 Probable 15375 5 76875 23062 53813 Possible 15375 5 76875 23062 53813 Total 230625 69187 161438
The total reserves under the three category of proved, probable and possible is estimated as 230625m3 and considering 30% recovery of the reserves of saleable blocks are 69187 m3 and 164138 m3 is estimated as wastage. 5.1 MINEABLE RESERVES AND LIFE OF THE QUARRY Mineable are calculated taking the proved reserves only into consideration which are 76875m3. The reserves blocked in the mine safety benches and buffer zone is deducted from the proved reserves. The mineable reserves thus arrived are presented below table. S. No. Description Quantity in m3 1 In situ reserves under proved category 76875 2 Reserves blocked in the 7.5m buffer zone 6000 3 Blocked in mine benches 7687 4 Total Blocked (6000+7687) 13687
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5 Balance reserves (76875‐13687) 63188 6 Recovery @30% 18956 Life of the quarry: Mineable reserves/annual production = 18956/1200 = 15.79(Say 16 years). 6.0 Mining The mining operations are in the view of shallow nature of the deposit; open cast mining method shall be adopted in a semi mechanized manner by forming benches of 6m height. Hydraulic excavator and compressor jack hammers were used for cutting the rock. 6.1 SEPARATION OF LARGE PRIMARY BLOCKS FROM MOTHER ROCK BY PRE‐SPLITTING The mining will be followed in the form of linear cut method. This involves losing of the primary block from mother rock. Hence primary cutting will be done by line drilling method where close spaced parallel holes along straight line will be made. Line drilling method is used for separation of primary blocks. 1) Once the free face is developed in working place, the primary cut is taken up over a maximum length of 10 mtrs with a width of 3mtrs and to a depth of 6 mtrs. Depends upon the joints availability. These dimensions are confirmed as for field studies. Primary block will be cut into secondary blocks by jackhammer drilling and wedge cutting and this block will be dislodged from in‐situe position by an excavator. 2) Line drilling method will be used for cutting the primary blocks which involve drilling and blasting. 3) The holes are charged with low explosive cartridge like gunpowder and non‐delay detonators for smooth blasting. 4) The use of delay detonators causes fragmentation and cracks in rocks. The non‐ detonating cords are inserted into the holes and the holes are stemmed with muck and plugged at the mouth and fired. 5) Thus the block will separate from the mother rock, which is pulled off from the face with cranes or shovels. 6.2 Sub Division of Large Primary Block Into Secondary Block This will be done during close spaced holes (along a line) down to the depth and the secondary block will be removed easily by just pulling it with the help of proclain. Close spaced holes will be drilled to the half the length of the block on either side of it by using wedges blocks can be separated.
1‐8 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan 7.0 Production of commercial blocks After primary separation, the rock mass will be carefully examined to avoid hair line cracks, mineral segregations and veins etc. The dressing of the rough blocks will be made by chipping the edges and geometrically equating the edges of the block at the dressing yard. The rough blocks obtained after primary cut it will be dressed for obtained good geometric shape of granite. Thus the commercial blocks are produced. 8.0 LIST OF MACHINERY a) Since it has been decided to undertake semi‐mechanized mining operations, the below mentioned mine machinery will be deployed. Machinery Quantity Nature of work Excavator 1 no. The excavator to be employed for the removal of the over burden, Small boulders, cut boulders and waste rock Tipper 2 no. For transportation of the overburden and blocks Compressors 2 no. For drilling holes for splitting Jack hammers 6 no For drilling holes Crane 20 ton For loading the blocks in to the trucks Wire saw 1 For sawing Slotter 1 For drilling machine holes Generator 1 Jeep 1 b) Minor Tools: Chisels, Crow bars, pick of axes spades. Taking 25 working days in a month, there will be 300 working days in a year. The expected output of raw material per day is about 2 to 3 CBM on an average. Based on the demands from the purchasers, labour force will be increased. 9.0 Loading Equipment Loading of the blocks will be made by chain pulley with the help of crane or proclaim by the skilled labours to the hired trucks to transport the material to the destination of customer. 10.0 Employment Potential Table 1.4 Employment potential S. No Description Quantity 1 Mine Supervisor 1 2 Compressor operator 2 3 Drillers 18 4 Excavator operator 2 5 Excavator helper 2 6 Tipper drivers 2
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7 Cutters 12 8 Helpers 3 9 Watchman 2 10 Water carriers 2 11 Accountant 1 12 Storekeeper 1 13 Supervisor 2 Total 50
11.0 Scheme development and production It has been already indicated that the total production will be mainly depends on the market. The development of deposit is being designed in such fashion that it will be produced 1200 cubic meters per annum. 11.1 Production plan for five years The year‐wise production is being projected by considering the present market demand. Incase if there is any change in the requirement pattern of granite in the market, then it is also likely to be change and the plan will modified accordingly. The year‐wise production is being projected by considering the present requirement of granite block in nearby cutting polishing industries. Incase if there is any change in the requirement pattern in market, then it is also likely to be change .The recovery % granite from of ROM is 30% ( 70 % deduction due to defect in granite, colour variation, mining losses and waste generation during the various mining operations).It is envisaged to produce 1200m3 of salable granite blocks in each year. To raise this target production about 6000 m3 of rock mass had to be mined. Most of the area is covered by sheet rock from top to bottom. During five years operations a total rock mass of 20000m3 will be excavated and 6000 m3 of granite blocks will be recoverable from this rock mass and remaining material of about 14000 m3 will go as waste mineral. Year wise production and waste generation details are presented in table 1.5. Table 1.5 Year wise Granite Production and Waste generation Year Volume (A x H) Production m3 3
m Granite@30% Waste@70% 2011‐12 4000 1200 2800 2012‐13 4000 1200 2800 2013‐14 4000 1200 2800 2014‐15 4000 1200 2800 2015‐16 4000 1200 2800 Total 20000 6000 14000
1‐10 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan 12.0 DRILLING & BLASTING Drilling and blasting plays vital role in determining the size and shape of rough blocks. Drilling Pattern is important in developing a working face and also preparing the rough blocks suitable for their use in appropriate processing units. There are no important places in and around the area, blasting will be carried with precautionary measures. 12.1 Blasting Parameters Drill‐Hole patterns for primary and secondary smooth blasting. Uniform single line equidistant holes (line drilling) will be deployed for separation of blocks from mother rock. In the case of sheet rock the primary drilling will be in the form of equidistant vertical holes to take out blocks of Gang Saw. 12.2 Drilling Parameters i. Drill holes diameter: 34mm ii. Depth and inclination of the blast holes: 0.33m to 0.75m in case of separation primary blocks depending on the block size. Then the drill‐hole will be vertical. iii. Spacing and Burden: 15 cm iv. Explosive type: (1) Slurry based explosives or Gun Powder. 12.3 Site services It is proposed to provide the site services like mine office and other statutory constructions like rest shelter, first aid, work shed and drinking water as required near the quarry lease area. Drinking water will be supplied to the workers from the bore well opened in the adjacent agricultural field or from nearby village. 13.0 Water requirement Water requirement is mainly for drinking purpose, domestic purpose, green belt maintaining and for sprinkling on Mine haulage roads the water shall be drawn from nearby village. The domestic waste water shall be sent to septic tank followed by soak pit. Rainwater Catch Pond of 20 KL capacity will be provided to collect the storm water for reuse. This will ensure that the rainwater is effectively used and minimizes the drawl of ground water resources. The water requirement is presented in table 1.6. Table 1.6 Water Requirement S. No Water Usage Quantity KLD 1 Wet drilling operation (On production basis @ 100 Ltr/1 m3) 0.4
1‐11 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan 2 Water sprinkling on haul roads @ 1Ltr/Sq.Mt (150m2)+1/4th for waste 0.2 dump 3 Domestic @ 45 Ltr/Head (50 No’s) 2.3 4 Green Belt @ 0.15KL for 0.0585 ha – 2 times a day 0.3 Total 3.2
14.0 Environment Management Plan Environmental protection is an issue that no organization can neglect and hope to survive. The products of civilization are being dumped upon the environment to a degree that the environment finds difficult to assimilate. The key to the success of the integrated approach to pollution prevention and control is the management and operation of the organization. Effective committed management delivers a successful operation. As total commitment to the environment, not just for compliance with legal or regulatory compliance will be the essence of environment management. Many companies have recognized the benefits of implementing an effective environmental management system. Environmental management plan can be effectively implemented to mitigate the pollution levels by observing the following: a. Pollution will be prevented or reduced at the source b. Pollution that cannot be prevented will be recycled in an environmentally safe manner. c. Pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled will be treated in environmentally safe manner and d. Disposal and other releases into the environment will be used only as a last resort and will be conducted in an environmentally safe manner. The proposed project is granite mine. The mine owners are aware of the adverse impacts due to the mining activity and propose to initiate a number of measures for the environment protection within the mine area and in the surrounding areas. The company has a stated environmental policy of ensuring regulatory compliance with respect to the statutory laws and regulations and those periodically issued by the Ministry of Environment, GOI, New Delhi, CPCB, New Delhi and State Pollution Control Board.
1‐12 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan 14.1 Sources of Pollution and Control Measures The sources of pollution are air and noise from the proposed activity mainly from Mining, drilling, Blasting and transportation of mineral. Waste material generation, dumping and restoration. 14.1.1 Air pollution and its control The granite quarrying does not involve much dust formation. The dust would be generated during drilling, smooth blasting, quarrying and also during handling and transportation of the material. The dust anticipated at drilling place will be suppressed by putting cloth around the hole. Use of sharp drill pits for drilling holes and drills with water flushing systems (wet drilling) to reduce dust generation. Water spraying to be adopted at Faces/sites before and after blasting, Faces/sites while loading. Over charging of blast holes should be avoided. Personal protective equipments like nose mask and goggles etc will be provided to the workers. Regular water spraying on haul roads during transportation of mineral and waste by water sprinklers. Over loading of transport equipments should be avoided to prevent spillage. Also, measures such as covering tarpaulin over the loaded material will prevent spreading of dust particles from the trucks. Speed controls on vehicle movements to limited speed. Wind reduction control by plantation. Over burden dump has reached the optimum size, it will covered with top soil and water will spread on top soil and grass will be developed on the dump. Limiting the height and slope of the stockpiles can also reduce wind speed. Regular checking and maintenance of vehicles should be conducted and pollution under control certificate be obtained. Periodical monitoring of ambient air quality will helps to take steps to control the pollutants. 14.1.2 Noise pollution and its control The major source of noise pollution is due to drilling of drill holes, machinery, smooth blasting and vehicular movement. Blasting operations will be carried out only during daytime so as to avoid high noise intensity in night time. Noise barriers in the form of trees are provided to attenuate the noise levels and green belt of 5 m width shall be developed to mitigate propagation of noise. Protective equipment to reduce the noise levels like ear muffs and other protective devices will be provided to the staff working near noise generating sources like drill machine operators and dumper drivers. Training would be imparted to mine personnel to generate awareness about the damaging effects of noise. The transport activity
1‐13 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan shall be restricted to day time to reduce impact on habitation. The engines of the tractors shall be switched off during loading operation, and shall be periodically maintained to ensure low noise levels. Proper maintenance of the equipment will also reduce the noise. 15.0 Occupational Safety and Health Health and safety aspects of the mine will be taken care off as per the World Bank (WB) guidelines on open pit mining. The guidelines provide the detailed information on the aspects that are required to be taken into account for maintaining proper health and safety issues. The workers continuously exposed to dust will be provided with protective devices like dust mask to prevent respiratory disorders. The workers continuously exposed to a high noise will be provided with ear muffs/ earplugs. Green belt in and around the mining area will be developed to attenuate noise and dust impact. The blasting carried out in the mine area will be carefully planned and executed under the supervision of a responsible officer, to avoid any accidents. Provisions of rest shelter for mine workers with facility of drinking water supply for the employees will be provided by the project authority. The standard of the drinking water will be per WHO guidelines. Periodical training programme to inform the employees about their task, associated risk, and safe working practices will be undertaken. Conduct of mock drill, Safe storage & handling of explosives. Training will also include information on accident prevention, proper control and maintenance of equipment and safe material handling practices. Awareness on safety and ensure using of personal protective equipments (PPE) by workers. Regular maintenance and testing of equipments will be done. A regular monitoring of the Occupational Health and Safety will reduce the chances of accidents in the mine. Records of job related accidents and illness should be maintained. This information will be reviewed and evaluated to improve the effectiveness of Environmental Health and Safety programme. Occupational Safety and Health to Control Dust Inhalation Very little dust is expected to be generated during mining and does not affect the environment. However while drilling, wet drilling will be practiced. It is a small scale mining activity and not much vehicular movement is expected. All the above precautions would be adopted to prevent dust generation at site and to be dispersed in the outside environment. However, for the safety of workers at site, engaged at the strategic locations/dust generation points like drills, loading & unloading points dust
1‐14 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan masks would be provided. Dust masks would prevent inhalation of RSPM thereby reducing the risk of lung diseases and other respiratory disorders. Regular health monitoring of workers will be carried out. 15.1 Occupational Safety and Health to Control Exposure to Noise Blasting will be done using non delay detonators to reduce vibrations, and the amount of explosive used will also be less at a time. There will not be heavy earth moving machinery which may create some noise pollution. Thus the vibration and noise will be well controlled within permissible limits. To protect the workers from exposure to high levels of noise, following measures would be adopted: ¾ Provision of protective devices like ear muffs/ear plugs to workers who cannot be isolated from the source of high intensity noise, e.g. blasting; ¾ Reducing the exposure time of workers to the higher noise levels by shift management. ¾ Smooth blasting techniques, special explosives and silent non‐explosive demolishing agent will be used. ¾ Muffed blasting and use of Milli‐second detonators will help in reducing the noise pollution. 15.2 Control of Ground Vibration & Fly Rock generation In this area the applicant proposes to deploy blasting with less quantity of non‐explosives. There will not be any impact on surroundings, as there are less blasting and intended to use low power explosives in this mine. It is a small scale mine and only limited No. of holes are blasted. Ground vibrations due to blasting and its impact on various mine structures, should be studied in details when the mine becomes operational, especially the charge per delay factor. General measures to reduce ground vibration & fly rocks resulting from blasting are given below: ¾ Blasting should be carried out in the daytime, as during the night time the sound intensity becomes higher; ¾ Blasting should not be carried out when strong winds are blowing towards the inhabited areas;
1‐15 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan ¾ Maximum permissible charge per delay should be decided on the basis of the distance of structure to be protected from the blasting. ¾ The number of rows in a blast should not be more than four so that fly rock generation and ground vibration is reduced. ¾ Peak particle velocity or ground vibrations for safety of nearby structures and residential buildings should be well within 12.5 mm/sec; ¾ To contain fly rocks, stemming column should not be less than the burden of the hole, and the blasting area should be muffled; ¾ Each blast should be carefully planned, checked, and executed under the supervision of a responsible officer. Blasting data/observations should be recorded; and As per the mining plan, in order to ensure slope stabilization, controlled production blasting shall be adopted to avoid tension cracks and back breaks. Such cracks may get filled with water, which reduces the stability of excavated slopes and the angle of slopes. 16.0 Peak Particle Velocity The vibrations are measured as per the assessment criteria given under Bureau of Indian Standard, “IS: 6922‐1973 (Reaffirmed 2003) ‐ Criteria for Safety and Design of Structures Subject to Underground Blasts”. Per the assessment criteria, the value of ground particle velocity may be computed from the following expression: V = K1 [Q2/3/R] 1.25 Where V = Particle velocity in mm/sec K1 = Constant which may be normally taken as 880 for soil, weathered or soft rock and 1400 for hard rock. Q = Charge per delay (kg), and R = Distance (m) from blast point Based on the above equation, the particle velocities at different distances (3 m, 5 m, 10 m, 20 m, 50 m, 70 m, 100 m, 150 m and 200 m) are calculated considering K1 as 880 for soft rocks and 1400 for hard rocks. As per the Standard, for safety of structures from threshold damage, the ground particle velocity should not exceed the following: Soil, Weathered or Soft rock 70 mm/sec Hard Rock 100 mm/sec
1‐16 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan The results are presented in the Table 1.7 below for the maximum charge Table 1.7 Peak Particle Velocity (V) S. No Constant Charge Per Peak Particle Velocity (V) mm/second (K1) Delay Distance from the Blasting (R in meters) 3 5 10 20 50 70 100 150 200 1 880 Q= 0.2Kg 58.29 30.78 12.94 5.44 1.73 1.14 0.73 0.44 0.31 2 1400 Q= 0.2Kg 92.74 48.97 20.59 8.66 2.75 1.81 1.16 0.70 0.49
It is clear that with Q = 0.2 kg charge per delay shall result in particle velocity of 58.29 mm/sec in soft rock within a distance of 3 m, while in the hard rock the particle velocity is 92.74 mm/sec shall be within 3 m. There shall not be any structure with in 20 m of the quarry area, and it may be, concluded that the ground vibrations generated by blasting during the mining operations will not likely to effect the structures proposed in the vicinity of > 20 m from the point of blast. Concrete structures like office, store etc should not be proposed within the core mine area. These structures otherwise will be affected by the ground vibrations. 17.0 Water Quality Management The operation of the mine will not generate any appreciable quantity of liquid waste. The ground water table in this belt is 60m below form the surface and the quarrying will be done on above the surface. Maximum depth of the quarry will be 12m from top of the hill which is about 5m height from ground level, flooding by ground water is not anticipated. However during rainy months, there is a possibility of wet conditions developing in the working pit this will be minimized, if not altogether eliminated, by adopting simple techniques like digging trenches all round to drain off rainwater and preventing surface run off from entering and flooding working pit. The water from the pits will be pumped by deploying suitable pumps, if and when required, the mine drainage can be effectively managed and the pit kept dry to keep up the production schedule. 17.1 Water Resources In this area water table is at greater depth of 60m BGL. There are no wells or springs in the area. Hence there will not be adverse effect on ground water due to quarrying. The daily water requirement for the mine operations would be approximately 3.2 KLD. Water sprinkling on mine haulage roads etc shall consume 0.2KLD. Wet drilling operations consume about 0.4 KLD. For green belt development water consumption is about 0.3 KLD. Domestic
1‐17 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan purpose is about 2.3 KLD. The drinking water is to be sourced from nearby village through tankers and rainwater collected will be used for sprinkling, green belt development and etc. The generation of wastewater from domestic sources is expected to be approximately 1.5KLD, which will be sent to septic tank followed by soak pit. 17.2 Water Management Following measures will be adopted to mitigate the impact on the water resources: ¾ The blasting activities will have to take care on the sinkholes, cracks and fissures in the site activities. ¾ During excavation and drilling activities effort must be taken to avoid face collapse at these cracks and fissures. ¾ To prevent surface water contamination by oil/grease, leak proof containers shall be used for storage and transportation of oil/grease. The floors of oil/grease handling area will be kept effectively impervious. ¾ To prevent degradation and maintain the water quality during rainy season, adequate control measures should be adopted to check the mine run‐off into the natural streams. 17.3 Catchment Area Treatment Plan A catchment area treatment plan has been developed keeping in mind the results of the hydrology/ hydrogeology of the area and the climate data. As there are no perennial water sources running on or through the site, the mine water discharge is limited to the monsoon season only. To keep water from entering the mine during this period, a garland drain will be developed along the mine’s top bench, which will bend to guide the water to the nearest natural surface drain. In terms of water quality, good mining practices are planned, additionally the natural state of surrounding areas, should ensure that rain water run‐off from the mine does not contain any toxic elements. As the site has no overburden, potential discharge of sediments is quite limited and any residual particles which are washed down will be captured by a sump located at the lowest bench. The sump will be cleaned regularly and discharge water monitored consistently. If required, based on monitoring, an additional catch pit can be located at the main garland drain. The sump proposed in the bottom bench will be designed based on the peak discharge and will be expanded over a period of time to accommodate the increasing quantum of water
1‐18 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan discharge. Presently, the capacity of the sump is designed to hold the entire quantum of peak discharge water for more than 10 minutes. The garland drain shall be provided surrounding the mine area. Garland drain and siltation pond need to be constructed of appropriate size to arrest silt and sediment flows from soil and mineral dumps. The water so collected will be utilised for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development etc. The drain should be regularly desilted and maintained. The garland drain (size, gradient and length) and sump capacity will be designed keeping 50% safety margin over and above the peak sudden rainfall and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site. Sump capacity should also provide adequate retention period to provide proper settling of silt material. The surface water around the mine, and infrastructure will be regularly tested and appropriate control measures adopted in case of any pollutant is detected above the prescribed limits. 18.0 Waste Management plan During five years operations a total rock mass 20000m3 will be excavated and 6000m3 of granite blocks will be recoverable from this rock mass and remaining material of about 14000 m3 will go as waste. The estimated waste quantity over the entire period is approximately 224000 m3. 19.0 Dump Area Waste will be dumped in the southwestern part of the area at non mineral zone in the area of 0.5ha with a height of 30m. During the first five years about 14000m3 of waste material will be generated. Step dumping will be resorted. This material can be utilized to fill the pits after quarry operations are over. When the dumps reach their optimum height suitable greenery will be grown on these dumps to stabilize them. 20.0 Land Management Land degradation is one of the major adverse impacts of opencast mining in the form of excavated voids and also in the form of waste dumps. Land reclamation plan must be implemented simultaneously with the mining activities. 20.1 Land Reclamation No reclamation is proposed in the five years period because, the mining will be continued to further depths and reclamation could be possible only after completion of mining up to the proposed depth.
1‐19 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan 20.1.1 Soil Conservation Measures There is no over burden on the mine pit. Top soil, if any will be properly stacked at earmarked dump site with adequate measures and the same will be used for reclamation and rehabilitation of the mined out areas. Topsoil will not used for refilling, but may be sparingly used for plantation purpose. To prevent soil erosion and wash‐off of dump‐fines from freshly excavated benches and dumps following measures shall be adopted: • Garland drains will be provided around the mine wherever required to arrest any soil from the mine area being carried away by the rain water; • Toe drains with suitable baffles will be provided all along the toe of the soil dumps to arrest any soil from the dump slopes being carried away by the rain water; • Loose material slopes will be covered by mineation by making contour trenches at 5 m interval to check soil erosion both due to wind and rain; Retaining walls (concrete or local stone) will be provided, around the stockpile or wherever required, to support the benches or any loose material as well as to arrest sliding of loose debris. 21.0 House Keeping Proper housekeeping and cleanliness will be maintained in the infrastructure facilities. Wet mopping will be adopted to conserve water. Sign boards will be provided in the work areas and the road and building highlighting the safety and occupational aspects. 22.0 Transport Systems NH‐5 Road Visakhapatnam to Bhubaneswar is passing at a distance of 2.9km from the QL area in SE direction. Arujunapuram‐ Yekkala village road is passing at a distance of 0.7km in West direction. The lease area can be accessible through a cart track. The finished product and waste material is transported by road using trucks of 18Tons capacity. The number of trips will be approximately one in two day for transportation of mineral and the trucks are covered with tarpaulin. The lessee will deploy 2 tippers to transport the finished product, waste blocks, unfinished and finished blocks from quarry site to yard and trucks to transport sized dimensional blocks from yard to destination. Cranes will do the loading of blocks. The materials while transporting do not pose any hazard. Sufficient parking facilities will be provided for vehicles loading and unloading of material. Safety signs will be displayed inside and outside the mine to avoid road accidents.
1‐20 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan 23.0 Environmental Greening Program Environmental greening program is an important component of the Environment Management Plan and is an imperative requirement for sink of air pollutants including noise as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment and forests, Govt. of India. Conceptualization, design and implementation of the proposed activity, taking into account the specific requirement of the proposed mining activity and the site conditions are presented. Green cover in mining area not only help in reducing pollution level, but also improves the ecological conditions and prevent soil erosion to great extent. It further improves the aesthetics and beneficially influences the microclimate of the surrounding. In every year about about 65 saplings consisting of fruit growing trees like mango, Teak will be planted per year over an area of 585m2 at 3m interval. The environmental greening program as designed comprises the location and development of a shelterbelt and Afforestation in about 0.0585 Hectares. The shelterbelt will contain species, which act as windbreakers so that the environment within the mine is contained; the planting of different species in rows is envisaged in general in the greenbelt. A dedicated cell in the mine should be established for post plantation care, which include, regular watering, manuring, protective measures etc. Diseased and dead plants should be uprooted and replaced by fresh saplings. Regular monitoring on survival rate and remedial action should be done in an organized and planned manner. 24.0 Socio‐economic Environment The project provides an opportunity for the local people to get employment directly or indirectly and helps in the upliftment of the socioeconomic status of the area. The proposed project would generate an employment of 50. The local inhabitants of the area live in the villages surrounding the mine area and their main occupation is Agriculture. In a small way they rear cattle and sheep for sustenance. The mining activity in this belt will benefit the locals both directly and indirectly. The direct beneficiaries will be those who get employed in the mines as skilled and un‐skilled workers. The indirect beneficiaries will be those who open small business to sell goods required by the residents whose “Per Capita” income will be enhanced by the mining activity, and thereby their purchasing power. In the long run a lot of social good is expected in the comparatively backward area when the inhabitants will be able to send their children to school. The change, though slow, is bound to be perceptible.
1‐21 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan The management will involve in social activities of stakeholders/surrounding community by planning the betterment of neighboring social conditions through awareness and welfare programs to ensure an improved relation, useful in the long run. Many of the beneficiaries of such programs will include own employees as well. The goodwill of the local populace can never be ignored. It is proposed to supply drinking water and medical facilities to the villagers. The management will also support for vocational training and assistance in utilizing government programs. The channels employed may vary either through direct contact or by means of local organizations. Another important facet of social environment identified by the project proponents is a green appearance; hence the management will develop a green belt towards aesthetic beautification as the same is necessary to be considered as a responsible, social neighbour. 25.0 Disaster Planning The mining operation shall be carried out under the management control and direction of a qualified mines manager holding a Second class manager’s certificate of competency to manage a metalliferous mine granted by Director General of mines safety (DGMS). DGMS have been issuing a number of standing orders and circulars to be followed by the mine management in case of disaster, if any. Moreover mining staff would be sent to refresher courses from time to time to keep them abreast of the regulations. However following natural/ quarrying hazards may occur during normal operation ¾ Slope failure at the mine faces; ¾ Accident due to explosives; ¾ Accident due to heavy equipment/machinery; ¾ Sabotage in case of magazine; and ¾ Accidents due to fly rocks and boulders. In order to take care of above hazards/disasters, the following control shall be adopted: All safety precautions and provisions of Metalliferous Mine regulation 1961 are strictly followed during all mining operations; Checking and regular maintenance of garland drains and earthen bunds to avoid any inflow of surface water into mining area; Entry of unauthorized persons shall be prohibited; Fire fighting and first aid provisions in the mines office and mining Area;
1‐22 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan Provision of all the safety appliances such as safety boots, helmets, dust masks, ear mufflers, goggles etc. would be made available to the employees and regular check to ensure the use; Training and refresher courses for all the employees working in the hazardous premises; Working of mine as per approved plan, related amendments and other regulatory provisions; Cleaning of mine faces shall be done regularly; Handling of explosives, charging and blasting shall be carried out by competent persons only; Provision of magazine at safe place with fencing and necessary security arrangement; Suppression of dust on the haulage roads by providing water sprinkling. 26.0 Environment Management Cell A Cell for Environmental Management within Mine lease area at the project level, will take the overall responsibility for co‐ordination of the actions required for environmental management and mitigation, and for monitoring the progress of the proposed management plans and actions to be taken for the project. The Cell will be under the overall supervision of the Mine Manager, and responsible for monitoring of the implementation of the various actions which are to be executed by the agencies specified in the EMP. The Cell will be headed by Mine Manager and the other members of the cell that will include a Horticulturist. The EMC will prepare a formal report on environmental management and mitigation for the Environmental issues at the Mine, at six‐monthly intervals. Reports on any urgent or significant issues may be prepared at shorter intervals. Apart from responsibilities listed above, the EMC will have the responsibility of the following: Collection of water and air samples within and outside the work zone; Analyzing the water and air samples; Implementation of the control and protective measures; Land reclamation and vegetation; Co‐ordination of the environment related activities; Collection of the statistics of health of workers; Green belt development; Awareness and implementing safety programmes; and
1‐23 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan Monitor the progress of implementation of EMP. 26.1 Post Project Monitoring The survey of post project monitoring comprises of the following monitoring aspects; a. Ambient air quality monitoring b. Noise Level monitoring c. Water quality monitoring Ambient air quality and noise level Monitoring will be carried out at minimum four stations, two stations within mine site and two stations nearby residential areas outside the mine. Parameters like particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen carbon monoxide and lead will be monitored in case of ambient air quality. Water quality monitoring will be carried out in the mine working area, sump and nearby village. The frequency of monitoring is preferably once in three months on 24 hour basis. The samples will be collected in accordance with the procedures given by CPCB. 26.2 Other Management Aspects Records will be maintained for the analysis of ambient air quality, noise levels and water quality. These records are not only required for the perusal of the Pollution Control Board authorities to take preventive action against the environmental pollution. The management will maintain the records as per the hazardous waste regulations and EPA regulations and apply for the annual consents for air and water, and renewal of authorization for the storage of hazardous waste as per the Hazardous Waste (Handling & Management) Rules, 1989. The records of hazardous waste manifest will be maintained. The mine will obtain the consent for establishment (CFE) and consent for operation (CFO) from State Pollution Control Board as required under section 25/26 of the Water act, 1974 and under section 21/22 of Air Act, 1981, before commissioning and production as directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The CFO will be renewed each year by the management in consultation with SPCB. The mine will submit environmental statement every year before September 30. The management ensures that it will comply with all the directions and regulations issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi, State and Central Pollution Control Boards. The Consent for Establishment, Consent for Operation will be displayed in a conspicuous location for the information of the inspecting authorities of different departments.
1‐24 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan 27.0 Cost proposed for Environmental Protection Measures The cost estimate of environment management is presented in table 1.10. Table 1.10 Environment Management ‐ Cost Estimate S. Description Item Capital Recurring Remarks No. cost (Rs.) cost (Rs.) 1 Air pollution Nose masks 50 No's Once a week. Replaceable, 48000 7200 and cost can increase with time Cloth for drillers 18 no's 1.0m Issued quarterly 2160 576 each. Gunny bags for covering the As and when needed, Lump 8000 2400 surface of jackhammer holes sum. Road wetting @ 1 Ltr/1800 Sq. Water tanker cost @ one m. and waste dump settling tankers per day for 300 2700 675 (1/4 of wetting) ‐ 5000 Ltrs days tank Plantation on road side ‐ 3m Re‐plant the non‐surviving interval and buffer zone ‐ 3m 15000 7000 plants, watering and interval plus maintenance protection from animals Sub Total 75860 17851 2 Water pollution Construction of garland drains Once only for the lease 3240 945 period/life of mine De‐silting operations Yearly and manual 1620 540 operations Construction of check dams Once in year, cost incurred 21600 7020 is to buy sand bags and filling sand Construction of retaining wall Cost of construction of wall for waste dump in slope side 16200 4050 around the dip side of the dump. Sub Total 42660 12555 3 Noise pollution Maintenance of machinery Included in main cost suitably ‐ Rs. 4000 per 3 16000 7600 months PPE's like Ear muffs ‐ Rs. 15 Once in six months 5625 3000 each Sub Total 21625 10600 4 Occupational Providing First aid kits ‐ 2 No's Once in year, replace by Safety and and fire extinguishers ‐ 2 No's 7400 2240 conducting periodical Health checkup Providing Personal protective Safety shoe twice in a year, equipments to all employees helmets once in three years 90650 27195 (hand gloves @ Rs. 30, safety and hand gloves thrice in a shoe @ Rs. 1500 and helmet @ year
1‐25 Team Labs and Consultants Excellent Granites Environment Management Plan Rs. 100) Training and awareness Once in six months and programs on risk factors during create sign boards about 7000 3500 emergencies by the experts the risk and safety precautions regularly Periodical medical checkup and Once in a year and supply supply of medicines ‐ Rs. 200 10000 5000 of medicines for every per head three months 115050 37935 5 Environmental Ambient air quality studies ‐ ‐ 14800 monitoring Once in six months ‐ 2 locations Water quality studies ‐ Once a ‐ 3200 Will be done through MoEF year ‐ 2 Locations & CC/NABL recognised Noise studies ‐ Once in six ‐ 5200 laboratories months ‐ 2 Locations Vibration studies ‐ Once in year ‐ 9000 ‐ 1 locations Sub Total 0 32200 Grand Total 255195 111141
1‐26 Team Labs and Consultants