FORM- 1 BASIC INFORMATION

Sl. Item : Details No. 1 : Black granite mine over an Extent of 166-92.0Ha S.F.No.917(Part)&921(Part) of Name of the Projects Mahimandalam Village, Taluk, Vellorte District, State.. 2 S. No. in the schedule : 1(a) 3 New/Expansion/Modernization : Ongoing project. 4 Proposed capacity/area/length : Area:-166-92.0 Hectares. The Total Proposed /tonnage to be handled/ command Capacity for the five years= 5006.500m3. area/lease area/number of well to be Production per annum 1001.300 Cbm. drilled 5 Existing capacity/Area etc. : 166-92.0 Ha. 6 Category of the project i.e. ’A’or ‘B’ : A’ Above 50-00.0 Hect. 7 Does it attract the general condition? : No, Doesn’t attract any items mentioned in If yes, please specify. general condition. 8 Does it attract the specific condition? : No ,Doesn’t attract any items mentioned in If yes, please specify. the special conditions 9 Location Plot/Survey/Khasara No : S. F .No:- 917 (Part) & 921(Part) Village : Mahimandalam Taluk : Katpadi District : State : Tamil Nadu 10 Nearest railway station/airport along : Katpadi with distance in Km 11 Nearest Town, City, District : Town :- Katpadi Headquarters along with distance in City :- Vellore Km District Head Quarters:- Vellore Village Panchayats, Zillah Parishad, : Mahimandalam village Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, Local body , 12 (complete postal addresses with telephone nos. to be given) 13 Name of the applicant : Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited : No. 31,Kamarajar Salai, TWAD House, 14 Registered address Chepauk, Post Box No.2961, Chennai-600 005 : Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited, 15 No. 31, Kamarajar salai, Address of correspondence TWAD House, Chepauk, Post Box No. 2961, Chennai- 600 005. 1 Name : Thiru .M. Vallalar, I.A.S., Designation : Managing Director (owner/partner/CEO)

: Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited, No. 31, Kamarajar salai, Address TWAD House, Chepauk, Post Box No.2961. : 600 005 Pin code e-mail : [email protected] Telephone No : 044-28410382/28511972 Tele/Fax No. : 91-44-28511972 Details of alternative sites examined, : No alternatives site examined 16 if any Location of these sites should be shown on topo sheet. 17 Interlinked Projects : Nil 18 Whether separate application of : No interlinked project has been submitted? 19 If yes, date of submission : Not Applicable 20 If no, reason : Since it is granite Quarry operation only. 21 Weather the proposal involves : No approval/clearance under: If yes, a). The proposed site is located at details of the same and their status to Mahimandalam Village, Katpadi Taluk, & be given. Vellore District. The Project site does not a) The Forest (conservation) fall in forest land and activities. Hence, the Act, 1980? Project does not attract the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980. b) There is one Panapallumalai R.F.- b) The Wildlife (Protection) 1.5km(NE), radius and Mahimandalam R.F.- Act , 1972? 4.0km(SW) radius from the project site. This area does not attract the wildlife (protection) Act 1972. c) The proposed project is away from the c) The C.R.Z Notification, coast and it doesn’t attract under CRZ 1991? Notification

22 Whether there is any government : Renewal of Mining Lease was granted in order/policy relevant/relating to the G.O.3(D) Ms.No. 45 Industries(MME.1) site? Department, dated:20.11.2002,for 20 years from 23.11.2002 to 20.06.2022. 23 Forest land involved (ha) : Nil (Non-forest land)

2 24 Whether there is any litigation : pending against the project and/or land which the project is proposed to be sent up? . Name of the court No . Case No . Order/direction of the court, if any and its relevance with the proposed project

II. ACTIVITY

1. Construction, operation or decommissioning of the Project involving actions, which will cause physical changes in the locality (topography, land use, changes in water bodies, etc.)

Sl. Information/checklist Yes Details thereof(with approximate No. confirmation / quantities/ rates, wherever possible) with No source of information data 1.1 Permanent or temporary change in Yes The process involves drilling and Controlled land use, land cover or topography blasting for Granite mining. Afforestation including increase in intensity of will be carried out as per mining plan in a land use (with respect to local land Phased manner. use plan)

1.2 Clearance of existing land, No Not required, Since the project is rocky, vegetation and buildings? vacant and uncultivable area. Except few shrubs and weeds which will be cleared for mining operations.

1.3 Creation of new land uses? Yes The existing land use will be altered and beautified with vegetation and proper road layouts.

1.4 Pre-construction investigations e.g. No No Applicable. Since, no major construction bore holes, soil testing? activity involved in the mining lease area

1.5 Construction works? No The proposed project does not need any construction works.

1.6 Demolition works? No Nil, Any demolition does not arise in construction activities. In the operational phase drilling and controlled blasting for granite will be carried out.

3 1.7 Temporary sites used for No No, major construction activities involved. construction works or housing of Mine office, store and first aid shed are construction workers? proposed during operation phase in semi permanent structures.

1.8 Above ground buildings, structures No The project does not involve any construction or earthworks including linear process. structures, cut and fill or excavation

1.9 Underground works including No Open cast, semi-mechanized mining involves mining or tunneling? drilling and Controlled blasting for granite quarrying.

1.10 Reclamation works? Yes It is proposed not to back fill the ultimate pit, in as much as good quantity of reserves is available below the workable depth of 30 m and there is possibility of technology up gradation in future for economic granite mining for greater depths. The pit boundaries shall be safely fenced and used for pisci culture when the pit is filled with rain waters.

1.11 Dredging? No Not Applicable 1.12 Offshore structures? No Not Applicable 1.13 Production and manufacturing Yes As a granite quarry project, the process processes? involves Site Preparation, controlled blasting or diamond wire cutting for separation and splitting up of granite blocks, loading of granite blocks and transportation to granite processing units or to the destination of the buyers. 1.14 Facilities for storage of goods or No The mined out granite blocks will be materials? immediately transported to the factories or buyers destination.

1.15 Facilities for treatment or disposal Yes Over burden, side burden, rock fragments and of solid waste or liquid effluents? rubbles generated as granite rejects during production works and the country rock fragments during development works are proposed to be dumped along the North eastern and South western parts of the mining area. Suitable variety of soil brought from outside will be utilized for green zone development and rehabilitation of over burden dumps. Domestic Sewage of 1.12 KLD shall be treated in septic tanks followed by soak pit and No trade effluent shall be generated.

4 1.16 Facilities for long term housing of No No housing facility will be provided, as operational workers? laborers from the nearby villages will be employed for the mining operation.

1.17 New road, rail or sea traffic during No The Existing transport facilities will be construction or operation? utilized for the proposed project.

1.18 New road, rail, air waterborne or No The Existing transport facilities will be other transport infrastructure utilized for the proposed project. including new or altered routes and station, ports, airports etc?

1.19 Closure or diversion of existing No transport routes or infrastructure leading to changes in traffic The proposed project will not cause any movements? changes in the existing traffic movements.

1.20 New or diverted transmission lines No The proposed project does not involve any or pipelines? diversion of transmission/pipelines.

1.21 Impoundment, damming No No aquifers present inside the mine lease culverting, realignment or other area. changes to the hydrology of watercourses or aquifers?

1.22 Stream crossings? No No streams passing through the mine lease area.

1.23 Abstraction or transfers of water Yes Fresh water 2.3 KLD will be used for from ground or surface waters? domestic purposes, Dust suppression and Drilling purposes through Mahimandalam Village Panchayat.

1.24 Changes in water bodies or the land No There will not be any changes in the water surface affecting drainage or run- bodies or the land surface affecting drainage off ? or run-off

1.25 Transport of personnel or materials No The mined out stones will be transported to for construction, operation or the site as required through existing decommissioning? roadways. 1.26 Long-term dismantling or No No long term dismantling or decommissioning or restoration decommissioning is involved in this project. works? 1.27 Ongoing activity during No decommissioning which could have Since it is a quarrying operation only. an impact on the environment?

1.28 Influx of people to an area in either No Does not arise. temporarily or permanently?

5 1.29 Introduction of alien species? No The project mining activity does not introduce any alien species.

1.30 Loss of native species or genetic No The proposed mining activity involves diversity? clearing of minor shrubs and weeds and does not cause loss of native species or genetic diversity.

1.31 Any other actions? No Temporary approach road have already been formed.

2. Use of Natural resources for construction or operation of the Project (such as land, water, materials or energy, especially any resources which are non-renewable or in short supply)

Land especially undeveloped or Yes Undeveloped rocky barren land. 2.1 agricultural land (ha)

2.2 Water (expected source & competing Yes Total Water Requirements-2.3KLD users) unit: KLD through Mahimandalam Village Panchayat 2.3 Minerals(MT) No Not Applicable, it is a mining project Construction material –stone ,aggregates, No 2.4 sand/soil(expected source-MT) Not Applicable, it is a mining project

2.5 Forest and timber (source-MT) No Nil It is a mining project 2.6 Energy including electricity and fuels Yes Diesel will be utilized for operating (source, competing users) compressors and other machineries. Unit: fuel(MT),energy(MW) Diesel usage will be 1000 lit/month.

2.7 Any other natural resource(use No Nil appropriate standard units)

6 3.Use,storage,transport,handling or production of substances or materials, which could be harmful to human health or the environment or raise concerns about actual or perceived risks to human health.

3.1 Use of substances or materials , which No are hazardous (as per MSIHC rules) to human health or the environment (flora No hazardous substances are utilized fauna, and water supplies) for the Project activity.

3.2 Changes in occurrence of disease or No affect disease vectors (e.g. insect (or) water borne diseases) Does not arise

3.3 Affect the welfare of people No The proposed project will provide e.g. by Changing living conditions? direct and indirect employment and thereby improve the economic standard of people in the surrounding villages.

3.4 Vulnerable groups of people who No Could be affected by the Project e.g. Does Not Arise. hospital patients, children the elderly etc. 3.5 Any other causes No Nil

4. Production of solid wastes during construction or operation or decommissioning (MT/month)

The mine waste includes over burden side burden, rock fragments and rubbles generated as granite rejects during production works and the Spoil, over burden or mine wastes country rock fragments generated 4.1 Yes during development works. The wastage of approx. 161878.515m3 for the five years generated during, drilling as per the scheme of mining.

4.2 Municipal waste(domestic and or No No Domestic waste will be generated commercial wastes) in the proposed project

4.3 Hazardous wastes (as per Hazardous No This project will not produce any waste Management rules) hazardous waste.

7 4.4 Other industrial process wastes No No waste other than items mentioned in 4.1

4.5 Surplus product No No Surplus product will be generated.

4.6 Sewage sludge or other sludge from No Sewage generated will be treated in effluent treatment septic tanks followed by soak pit. No trade effluent shall be generated

4.7 Construction or demolition wastes No Does not involve any construction or demolition activities

4.8 Redundant machinery or equipment No Nil

4.9 Contaminated soils or other materials No Machineries will be maintained in good working condition and measures will be taken to prevent oil spillage. Thus this project will not cause any soil contamination.

4.10 Agricultural wastes No Not Applicable

4.11 Other solid wastes No This project will not produce any other solid waste except the over burden, side burden, rock fragments and rubbles generated as granite rejects during production works.

8 5. Release of pollutants or any hazardous, toxic or noxious substance to air (kg/hr)

5.1 Emissions from combustion of Yes Emission expected from mining fossil fuels from stationary or machineries and transportation vehicles. mobile sources

5.2 Emissions from production Yes Dust emission during Drilling and processes Controlled blasting and which will be controlled by sprinkling of water at regular interval.

5.3 Emission from materials handling No Vehicles transporting the materials including storage or transport within the project site will be the only source of emission. Water will be sprinkled at regular time intervals in order to suppress dust emission. The vehicles will be maintained in good condition in order to reduce the emission as per the norms.

5.4 Emissions from construction No No, Does not involve any construction activities including plant and activities. equipment

5.5 Dust or odors from handling of Yes Does not involve any construction materials including construction activities. Dust emission is envisaged materials sewage and waste during handling, storage and transport; Dust will be suppressed by sprinkling water at regular time intervals. Sewage generated will be treated in septic tanks followed by Soak pit.

5.6 Emission from incineration of No Does not arise. waste

5.7 Emission from burning of waste in No Nil open air (e.g. slash materials, construction debris)

5.8 Emission from any other sources No Nil.

9 6. Generation of noise and vibration and Emission of Light and Heat:

6.1 From operation of equipment Yes Noise and Vibration from other mining e.g engines, ventilation plant, equipments, will be controlled through best crushers operating practices and proper maintenance at regular intervals.

6.2 From industrial or similar No Not Applicable. processes It is a mining project

6.3 From construction of demolition No Not Applicable

It is a mining project

6.4 From blasting or piling Yes Blasting will be carried out a maximum of 10 Mins /day. Controlled blasting will be done in the Morning and evening hours. 6.5 From construction or Yes This project is having operational traffic for operational traffic loading of mined materials. This will be regulated to avoid noise & emission.

6.6 From lighting or cooling No Not Applicable systems

6.7 From any other sources Yes Vehicles transporting materials will Contribute noise that to intermittent.

10 7. Risk of contamination of land or water from releases of pollutants into the ground or into sewers, waters, ground or into sewers, surface waters, groundwater, coastal waters or the sea

No Explosives such as gelatin, delay detonators etc, may also be used 7.1 From handling, storage use or occasionally at places further away spillage of hazardous materials from the granite deposit for certain development works such as forming approach roads. From discharge of sewage or other Yes Sewage generation will be treated in effluents to water or the land septic tanks and disposed through soak 7.2 (expected mode and place of pit. No trade effluent will be generated discharge) from the proposed project.

No The dust emission envisaged during By deposition of pollutants 7.3 handling and transportation of materials emitted to air into the land or into will be suppressed by sprinkling water at water regular intervals

No As efficient management plan is 7.4 proposed for the project, it will not have For any other sources any significant long term impact on the surrounding environment.

Is there a risk of long term build No Nil 7.5 up of pollutants in the environment from these sources?

11 8. Risk of accidents during construction or operation of the Project, which could affect human health or the environment

8.1 From explosions, spillages, Yes Explosives such as gelatin, delay detonators etc fires etc from storage, may also be used occasionally at places away handling, use or production from the granite deposit for certain development works such as forming approach of hazardous substances roads to the working faces below ground level for forming flat surfaces to be used as dumping yard etc . The explosives required for this mine is obtained from the authorized licensed dealer for which necessary permission will be obtained from the authority concerned. The blasting will be under the direct supervision of the statutory persons of TAMIN.

8.2 From any other causes No Only shallow mining is proposed the project, hence it will not cause any risk due to blasting or subsidence. Due care will be taken during mining with the statutory supervisors person approved the Director of Mines Safety.

8.3 Could the project be Yes The project area falls under Seismic Zone –III affected by natural disasters (IS 1893-1984). Further it is not in a flood causing environmental prone, cyclone or land slide prone areas. damage (e.g. floods, During flood season quarrying operation will earthquakes, landslides, be suspended or discontinued if required. cloudburst etc)?

12 9. Factors which should be considered (such as consequential development) which could lead to environmental effects or the potential for cumulative impacts with other existing or planned activities in the locality:-

9.1 Lead to development of supporting. The project will not lead to Facilities, ancillary development or development of supporting utilities development stimulated by the project No since existing roads will be used for which could have impact on the transport. environment e.g:

.Supporting infrastructure (roads, power supply, waste or wastewater treatment, etc.) Manual/semi mechanized mining . Housing development by deployment of Local people. No .Extractive industries

.Supply industries

.Others

9.2 Lead to after-use of the site, which Yes Pits created during operation can be could have an impact on the used as rain water harvesting environment structures. Number of trees removed from the blasting sites will be replaced with new saplings.

9.3 Set a precedent for later developments. No Not arise.

9.4 Have cumulative effects due to No Any possible negative impact due to proximity to other existing or planned dust emission will be suppressed by with similar effects. Spraying water.

13 (III) ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY

Sl. Name/ Aerial distance(within 15 km) No. Areas Identity Proposed Project location boundary 1 Areas protected under international conventions national or local No ecological, Landscape, cultural or No legislation for their ecological other related value area in 15 km radius. landscape, cultural or other related

2 Areas which are important or River-5.5 km (SE) sensitive for ecological reasons – Mahimandalam R.F.-4.0 km(SW) Wetlands, watercourses or other No Panapallumalai R.F.-1.5 km(NE) water bodies, coastal zone, biospheres , mountains, forests 3 Areas used by protected, important or sensitive species of flora or fauna No No Significant Species for breeding nesting, foraging, resting, over wintering, migration

4 Inland, coastal, marine or There is no inland, Coastal and Marine or underground waters No underground waters around the site.

5 State, National boundaries There is no State National Boundaries are No crossing within 10 km radius. 6 Routes or facilities used by the No public for access to recreation or Not Applicable. other tourist, pilgrim areas 7 Defense installation No Not Applicable. 8 Densely populated or built-up area Yes Mahimandalam village located at an aerial distance of 0.5 km from the project site.

9 Areas occupied by sensitive Yes Hospital:- manmade land uses (hospitals, 1. Primary Health Cetre , Schools, places of worship, Bommasamudram -7.0km (SW) community facilities ) 2. Government hospital,Ponnai.-6 m(NE) School :- 1) Thiruvallur University-6.0 km (SW) 2) Serkkadu Higher Secondary School,Sekkadu-6.0 km(SW) Temple:- 1) Ponnai Dharupathi Amman Temple - 6.0 km (SE) 2) Temple -5.0 km(SE)

14 10 Areas containing important ,high No There is no high quality or scarce quality or scarce resources (ground resources. water resources, forestry ,agriculture, fisheries, tourism ,minerals)

11 Areas already subjected to pollution No Not Applicable or environmental damage (those where existing legal environmental standards are exceeded)

12 Areas susceptible to natural hazard Yes The area under study falls in Zone –III, which could cause the project to according to the Indian Standard Seismic present environmental problems Zoning MAP. (earthquakes subsidence, landslides, erosion, flooding for extreme or adverse climatic condition)

“I hereby given undertaking that the data and information given in the application and enclosures are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I am aware that if any part of the data and information submitted is found to be false or misleading at any stage, the project will be rejected and clearance given, if any to the project will be revoked at our risk and cost”

Date: Signature of the applicant GENERAL MANAGER Place: Chennai -5 Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited No.31, Kamarajar Salai, TWAD HOUSE, Chepauk, Chennai-600005.

15 PRE-FEASIBILITY REPORT

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 IDENTIFICATION OF PROJECT PROPONENT.

M/s.Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited (An Undertaking of Government of Tamil Nadu) has been established in the year 1978 to carryout systematic mining and development of different minerals all over the state. Ever since its inception TAMIN has developed expertise in the mining of granite dimensional stones of different varieties including black granite (Dolerite), Kashmir White (Leptynite), Paradiso (Migmatite gneiss), Green Onyx (Syenite – porphyry) Red wave (Pink Feldspathic gneiss) Colombo Juparana (Pegmatitic granite gneiss of migmatite origin), Raw silk (Yellow Feldspathic Leptinite) and a number of other coloured granite varieties apart from other industrial minerals viz., quartz and feldspar, graphite, limestone, silica sand, vermiculite, etc.,

TAMIN has also set up industrial units for processing the granite stones one each at Manali (Chenna)i, Madhepalli at Krishnagiri District and Melur at Madurai District respectively. A Beneficiation plant for the beneficiation of graphite ore has been established close to Sivaganga Graphite mine. An exfoliation plant for the processing of vermiculite mineral at Ambathur (Chennai) has also been established. Further, TAMIN is the only organization recognized by Bureau of Standard for manufacture and supply of I.S.Sand all over the country.

This report is in conformity with the objectives of TAMIN as well as in compliance of Rule 17 of Granite Conservation and Development Rules, 1999 (hereinafter referred to as GCDR, 1999),. The present Pre-feasibility report has been prepared in respect of the Black Granite quarry, located at Mahimandalam village S.F.No.917(Part) & 921(Part), Katpadi Taluk, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu for which TAMIN obtained mining lease vide G.O. Ms. No.45, Industries (MME-1) Department dated 20.11.2002 for the period of 20 years from 23.11.2002 to 22.11.2022.

As per the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification dated 14th September 2006 and its subsequent amendments and Honbl’e Supreme Court order of January 13, 2015, the mining project, which requires Environmental Clearance from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).

29 TAMIN as a part of the compliance to the regulatory requirement i.e., to obtain Environmental Clearance from MoEF has appointed Environmental Consultants who are accredited by National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET)-Quality Council of India (QCI), New Delhi.

1.2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF NATURE OF THE PROJECT

The Mining Plan for Black Granite in Mahimandalam (S.F.No:-917(Part) & 921(Part), Katpadi Taluk, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu was approved by the Directorate of Geology and Mining, Chennai vide dated 16.11.2001.

The scheme of mining shall be submitted to the State Government or any person in his behalf by that Government at least one hundred and twenty days before the expiry of the five years period, for which it was approved on the last occasion vide Rule 18(3) of Granite Conservation and Development Rules 1999.

Hence the scheme of mining –I was submitted 120 days before the date of approval of mining plan to the authority vide this office Letter No. 8301/ML3/2007 dated.17.04.2007 and subsequently the scheme of mining–II was submitted vide this office Letter No.2366/ML2/2012, dated. 21.02.2012. Both mining schemes (scheme-I & II) are still under process at the Commissionerate of Geology& Mining, Chennai.

The State Government of any person authorised in this behalf by that Government shall convey its or his approval or refusal to the Scheme of Mining within 90 days of the date of its receipt vide Rule 18(4) of GCDR 1999.

If approval or refusal of the scheme of mining is not conveyed to the holder of the lease within the stipulated period the scheme of mining shall be deemed to have been approved and such approval shall be subject to final decision whenever communicated vide Rule 18(5) of GCDR 1999.

Thus it implies that the Scheme of mining in respect of the subject area have been deemed approved as per the above said Rule.

30 Applicant Details:

TAMIL NADU MINERALS LIMITED (An Undertaking of Government of Tamil Nadu) Name and Address 31, Kamarajar Salai, P.B.No.2961, Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005, Tamil Nadu State Phone Number +91 44 28410382, 28511972 Fax Number +91 44 28524960 E-mail [email protected] Status Public Sector Undertaking. Fully owned by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu Type of Mining Granite Quarrying Unit Period of Mining The Period of mining lease for 20 years

Details of the Area: a) The area is marked in the Survey of India Topo Sheet No.57O/4&8. c) The area lies in the Northern latitude of 13o 05’ 17.40” and Eastern longitude of 79o 13’ 9.50”

District& Area in Occupancy Taluk Village S.F.No. State (Hects) /Ownership Government Vellore Poramboke Tamil Katpadi Mahimadalam 917(Part)&921(Part) 166.92.0 land Nadu

1.3 NEED FOR THE PROJECT & ITS IMPORTANCE.

The granite dimensional stone material by virtue of its pleasing colour and texture such as and its best ability to take polishing and appealing look in polished product has attracted the consumers in the building construction and interior decoration industries. The domestic market capabilities have also been explored in recent periods. Bulk quantity of the blocks are produced and exported as raw blocks and some quantity is being processed at TAMIN’s Granite processing units and exported as value added finished products.

1.4 EMPLOYMENT GENERATION

This project will provide direct employment for about 36 persons and indirect employment chisel workers one gang for about 3 person specifically for dressing of blocks.

31 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION.

2.1. LOCATION DETAILS

The proposed Granite Mine is over an extent of 166.92.0 Hects in SF No.917(Part) & 921(Part) located at Mahimandalam Village, Katpadi Taluk, Vellore District, lies in the northern latitude of 13o 05’ 17.40” and eastern longitude of 79o 13’ 9.5”. The area is marked in the survey of India Topo sheet No. 57O/ 4 & 8.

2.2 SITE SALIENT DETAILS

Salient details of the projects is given below:-

Description Details Site Location Topography Undulating Terrain SOI Topo sheet 57 O/4&8 Nearest City Town : Katpadi-16.0Km(NE) City : Vellore 21.0 km (SW) District Head Quarters : Vellore Nearest Highway N.H-4- 6.0 Km (SW) Nearest Railway Junction Katpadi Railway Junction -16.0 km (NE) Nearest Airport Chennai -103.67 km (E) Nearest Water Bodies/River/Sea Ponnai aru-5.5 km (SE) Archaeologically Important Places None within 15 km radius National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries Mahimandalam R.F-4.0 km (SW Reserved/Protected Forests Panapallumalai R.F.-1.5 km(NE) Mahimandalam R.F.-4.0 km(NE) Seism city Zone III Defence Installations None within 15 Km radius

2.3. INFRASTRUCTURE

The Mahimandalam mine is located at about 2kms North of Mahimandalam and is easily accessible through Ramapuram Periabodinatham road.

32 2.4 GEOLOGY AND RESERVES

2.4-1 PHYSIOGRAPHY

The area generally manifests an undulating topography with low lying plain area. The area receives scanty rainfall (about 3cm per annum) and the rainy period is mainly from September to November in every year. The summer is hot with maximum temperature up to 430 C. The area experiences sub-tropical climate.

2.4.2. GEOLOGY

The area is comprised of Feldspathic granitic gneiss as country terrain with a general trend of N250W, dipping 700 to 750 North Westerly. Small occurrences of garnetiferous gneiss and pockets of Tremolite mica schist and pink granite veins are seen. Thin veins of quartz are also noticed.

A number of basis dykes are seen distributed in the entire lease hold area as dyke swarms while majority of dykes are trending ENE-WSW direction, some dykes are seen trending NE-SW and also N-S.

The dykes should have been emplaced in different periods as discernible from the nature and qualities such as grain size, texture and colour of dykes. The joint pattern also varies of which the prominent ones are N 100 W, N 800 E, N 250 E and N500 W with steep dips. The joints are widely spaced, as a result of which bigger sized granite blocks could be produced in this area.

From the study of disposition, grain size and texture of dykes in this area mine area it could be conveniently derived that there are five series of emplacement of dykes in this area The dykes No.III & IV may be considered as the oldest followed by the formation of dyke NO- VI and subsequently the dykes V and VII to XV have been emplaced. The dykes V,VI, VII and XI to XV are considered not economically viable due to the small magnitude, highly weathered nature and abundance of inclusions etc.

Even though a number of dykes occur in this area, only four dykes (viz, dyke I,II,III&X are larger ones as their lengths are more than 1 km , with considerable width of 20m to 70m. The dykes IV, VII, VIII and ix are comparatively thin and discontinuous yet mineable in select areas. The dykes V,VI,VII and XI to XV are considered not economical viable due to the small magnitude highly weathered nature and abundance of inclusions etc.. 33 2.5 METHOD OF MINING

2.5.1 Open Cast Working In accordance with the Regulation 106 (2) (a) of the Metalliferous Mines Regulations 1961, in all open cast workings where the ore body forms hard rock, the working faces and sides should be adequately benched and sloped. A bench height not exceeding 6m and a bench width not less than the height has to be maintained. The slope angle of such benches and sides should not exceed 60o from the horizontal. However, observance of these statutory provisions into in granite dimensional stone mining is seldom possible due to the field difficulties and technical reasons as below:

1) The granite mineral is to be recovered as undamaged rectangular dimensional blocks. In the attempt to form the benches and sides with the above statutory parameters, haphazard blasting may be involved, in which case the commercial granite body may get spoiled due to generation of blasting cracks.

2) In the exercise of forming the benches with 60o slope within the granite deposit, the portion confined within the 60o as with its complimentary part in the extricated block will become a mineral waste while shaping into rectangular blocks.

3) The granite industry needs blocks as huge as a few cubic metre volumes with measurements up to 3m x 2m x 2m. Production of such huge blocks with a moving bench of 6m height is not possible. A production of such huge blocks in turn increases the recovery and reduces the mineral waste during dressing. Blocks of smaller size of certain varieties of granite are not marketable in the receding.

4) Formation of too many benches with more height and the width equal to the height may lead to mineral lock up.

Hence in order to avoid granite waste and to facilitate economical and convenient mining operations, it is proposed to obtain relaxation to the provisions of Regulation 106 (2) (a) up to a bench parameter of 10m height and 3m width with vertical faces. Such a provision for relaxation of the Regulation has been provided within the regulation 106 (2) (a). Further, it is to be noteworthy that opencast granite mining operations with the above proposed bench parameters may not be detrimental to Mines Safety, since the entire terrain is made up of hard rock, compact sheet and possess high stability on slope even at higher vertical angles.

34 It is proposed not to backfill the pit in as much as good quantities of reserves are underlying the pits. The stock yard for the granite blocks produced and the dressing yard where the manual dressing and shaping of the blocks are carried out are located near the working pit in order 10 minimize the lead from the pit to the dressing yard and stock yard. A mine office, store room, first-aid room and workers rest shelter have been provided.

2.6 MINING

Open cast, semi-mechanized mining with 10m vertical bench with a bench width of 6m has been proposed. Under the regulation 106(2) (a) of the Metalliferous Mines Regulation 1961 in all open cast working in hard ore body, the benches and sides should be properly benched and sloped. The eight of any bench shall not exceed 6m and the width thereof shall not be less than the height. The benches shall be sloped at an angle of more than 60o from the horizontal.

The production of Colour granite dimensional stone in this mine involves the following methods typical for granite stone mining, in contrast to any other major mineral mining.

1) Splitting of rock mass of considerable volume from the parent sheet rock carefully avoiding any kind of damage in the form of cracks in the deposit by adopting the following methods.

a) Separation of two vertical ends along the width side by diamond wire cutting.

b) Separation of the horizontal (bottom) and the vertical (length side) planes by serial blasting simultaneously along the above two plans by using 32mm dia blast holes charged with mild explosives like gunpowder or detonating cord.

All the above process continued together aiming at the liberation of huge volume of the granite body from the parent sheet rock is called ‘primary cutting’.

2) The secondary splitting in to required size involves long hole drilling up to the bottom of the separated block and mild blasting along the required plans.

3) Now – a – days the secondary splitting is carried out by way of splitting and overturning cushion operational procedure. The procedure is by utilizing the compressed air available at the quarry at 7 to 8 bar pressure, initially (widening) splitting up to 15 to 18 cms. Next by using super imposed cushion widening up to 80 35 cms and overturning of the blocks. The blocks spitted as above are toppled and removed from the pit to the dressing yard by using hydraulic excavators.

4) Removing the defective portions and dressing into the dimensional blocks are done manually using feather and wedges and chiselling respectively by the labourers who are skilled in this work.

The defect free rectangular shaped dimensional stones as acceptable to consumers are produced by the method described as above which is constantly supervised by experienced mining geologist.

The waste material generated during mining activity include the rock fragments of different angularity formed during the works, during the removal of naturally defective and uneconomical portions of the deposits and the working waster formed during dressing of the extricated blocks. Such waster material are proposed to the dumped along the 7.5m safety distance along the lease boundary / barren area where the commercial granite occurrences are not seen/ the area covered with poor quality granite deposit identified to be uneconomical due to sheared and contacted nature or the presence of closely space natural joints, etc.

2.7 BLASTING

The blasting parameters in the mining of Granite dimensional stones are entirely different from that of industrial minerals, since the basic purpose for the use of explosives in both the cases are entirely different. In the industrial minerals, maximum fragmentation and crushing of the ore is essential, whereas in the granite mining, the granite stones are to be extricated intact, without any damage on both the extricated part and the parent rock body. Wagon drilling and heavy blasting is seldom used in granite mining.

The portion to be extricated from the parent rock body is freed in all planes by adopting different methods as described in chapter 4.0. Only mild explosives such as gun powder, detonating cord, ordinary detonators etc will be used for the production of granite blocks. The blast holes of 32mm diameter are drilled up to the bottom of the horizontal plane all along the required planes without deviations sub grade drilling is avoided, since it may damage the underlying granite deposit.

36 Conventional 32mm dia blast holes are drilled perfectly parallel to each other at 20 to 25cm intervals without any hole deviations, all along the required plane of splitting. The holes are drilled up to a depth few cms above the required horizontal plane. Sub grade drilling is not necessary since the splitting will be effected up to a further distance of few cms from the drill hole on blasting. Sub grade drilling may affect the underlying granite deposit.

Explosives such as gelatine, delay detonators etc may also be used occasionally at places further away from the granite deposit for certain development works such as forming approach roads to the working faces below ground level for forming flat surfaces to be used as dumping yard etc.

The explosives required for this mine is obtained from the authorised, licensed dealer for which necessary permission will be obtained from the authority concerned. The blasting will be under the direct supervision of the statutory persons of TAMIN.

Now–a–days the splitting within the sheet rock is effected by diamond wire sawing, which largely reduces the use of explosives in granite mining. Many adverse effects of blasting are avoided and hence Diamond wire cutting will substantially increase the recovery. Hence it is proposed to deploy one wire saw machine in this mine shortly.

2.8. EXPLORATION PROPOSED TO BE CARRIED OUT A number of valuable data for economical mining of the granite stone in this area have already been known from the actual mining practice during the past 25 years in this field. a) Occurrence of the Black granite stone is economically viable quality and quantity has been established by geological mapping and visual examination by mining geologist experiences in granite mining which have been proved by actual mining practice.

b) The depth persistence of the granite stone is proved beyond the workable limits of 30 m from the petrogenetic a character of the granite body as well as from the actual mining practice. Considering the hilly deposit with sheet rock formation of 30m depth persistence from the surface level has been taken as economically workable depth to include all the three categories of mineral reserves viz, proved, probable and possible reserves.

37 c) The recovery of the saleable granite stones has been established as 5% from the visual exploration and from the data available by actual mining practices during the past mining in this area.

Hence, having established all the data necessary for economic exploitation in this area, no definite programme for future exploration has been drawn. The mining activities during the next five years with deep cuts may render additional data as may be required for future planning.

2.9 METHOD OF ESTIMATION OF RESERVES The correct geological plan demarcating the commercially viable granite body has been prepared on 1:4000 scale. Fifteen cross sections on suitably chosen lines across the longitudinal axis of the deposit have been drawn.

The cross sectional area for the proved depth persistence of 25m from the ground level and top surface of the granite body has been worked out for each cross section. The cross sectional area multiplied by its length of influence on the longer axis gives the bulk volume (in- situ reserves) within the cross sectional area. The sum total of the in-situ reserves available within the individual cross sectional area gives geological reserves of the lease hold area.

From the total geological reserves, the quantity of saleable granite stone and the quantity of granite rejects and waste generation are computed by applying the recovery factor, which have been already established through actual mining practice as 3% by volume.

As the sale of granite dimensional stone is in terms of volumes (cubic metre) only and not in terms of tonnage as in the case of the mining of Industrial minerals, the geological reserves, mineable reserves and quantum of waste generation etc., are given in terms of cubic metre (volume) only. The details of estimation of geological reserves and mineable reserves with reference to the geogolical plan and sections in Plate No:-5 and conceptual plan and sections in Plate No:-3 which have been furnished here with respectively.

38 2.10 GEOLOGICAL RESERVES AND GRADE

The total geological reserves have been computed on the geological cross sections up to the economically average depth of 30m from the top surface of the granite body works out to 86,14,200 cbm and the total mineable reserve have been computed after deleting of reserves due to mineral lock up in benches and safety distance as 84,13,125 cbm. The updated geological reserves of granite estimated after deleting the past working during the mining scheme computed as was 84,02,965 cbm. The updated minable reserves during the scheme period after deleting the past working computed as 82,02,090 cbm and by applying the 3% recovery the saleable reserves was about 2,46,063 cbm.

The commercial granite body occurring in this area shows more or less uniform colour and texture and other physical properties that determines the granite body as a commercial granite deposit. Even if such variation occur locally in the course of mining, that portions will be considered as defective area and will be removed during dressing of the blocks and the blocks thus produced will be marketed as a single quality. Gradation into difference quality is not necessary in this deposit due to the general uniformity within the deposit.

2.11 YEARWISE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS:

The year-wise quantum of work proposed and the details of estimation of production quantity and generation of waste are furnished below with reference to the year-wise development / production plan. Granite rejects Saleable Sl. ROM including over Year Quantity No. in M3 burden and side in M3 burden in M3 1 2012-2013 33435.000 1003.000 32431.950 2 2013-2014 33300.750 999.020 32301.730 3 2014-2015 33419.250 1002.580 32416.670 4 2015-2016 33321.315 999.640 32321.675 5 2016-2017 33408.750 1002.260 32406.490 Total 166957.065 5006.500 132688.515

39 2.12 PROPOSED RATE OF PRODUCTION

The production schedule for the ensuing five years is drawn mainly in consideration of reserve position, market demand, men and machinery deployed and the cost of production. The mineable reserves of the black granite stone deposit in this mine are sustainable for a period above 20 years. The overseas market for this variety of raw granite material is moderate potential and hence the domestic market has been well developed for the finished tiles, slabs and monuments of this material. In as much as, the reserve is sustainable for years and the market potential is sound, it is proposed to achieve an annual production of around 1001 M3 with an average monthly production of 83 M3.The men and machinery proposed is compatible to meet the above production targets.

2.13 EXTENT OF MECHANIZATION The following machineries are utilized exclusively for the development and production woks at this mine.

1 Hydraulic Excavator ( Hitachi Ex-200) 1 No Compressor 2 1)Portable Atlas Capco XAH 175 2 No 2) Tractor Mounted Air Compressor 1 No 3 Crane 10- Ton Escort. 1 No 4 Tipper 1 No 5 Jack Hammer 4 Nos. 6 Diamond Wire Saw machine with accessories 1 No

The above machinery are adequate to meet out the simultaneously development and production schedule drawn out in this mining plan.

2.13 EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL:- The following man power is proposed for this granite mine to look after and carryout the day-to-day mining activities aimed at the proposed production target and also to comply with the statutory provisions of the Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961. S.No. Description No. of Persons Geologist/Agent (M.Sc., Geology/ 1 1No Agent) 2 Qualified Mine Foreman. 1No 3 Blaster or Mines Mate. 1No 4 Machinery operators 6 Nos 5 Unskilled workers 32 Nos

Chiselling workers -1 Gang consists of three chisel men. 40 The above man power is adequate to meet out the production schedule and the machinery strength envisaged in the mining plan and also to comply with the statutory provisions of the Mines Safety Regulations.

2.15 WATER REQUIREMENT In the proposed mining project water is required only for domestic usages and dust suppression. The water requirement for this project will be extracted from the Mahimandalam Village Panchayat. The break-up of the water requirement details are given below:- S.No Category Requirement (KLD) Dust suppression & 1 0.9 Drilling 2 Domestic Purposes 1.4 Total 2.3

2.16 POWER AND FUEL REQUIREMENT Diesel will be utilized for operating compressors and other machineries Diesel usage will be 1000 lit/month.

2.17 MINE DRAINAGE:

The mine area is an elevated ground with gentle slope on both sides of the linear dyke. Hence there is natural drainage system facilitating easy and comfortable drainage of rain waters. However, as a precaution, catch drains has been formed all around the working pit and it has been led to the natural drainage, so that the rain water will not enter the working areas. The water table during summer (April to September) will be at a depth of 10 to 15 m from the ground level and during winter (November to January).it will be depth of 12 to 17 m. A diesel engine with 5 H.P capacity is kept at the mine site to meet any eventuality of bailing out the rain water to the natural drainage outside to carry out the mine working uninterrupted.

2.18 DISPOSAL OF WASTE

The mine waste in the mine include the top soil rock fragments and rubbles generated as mineral rejects during production works and the country rock fragments generated during development works as approach road formation, formation of dumping yard sites etc. Adequate space has been indentified within the lease hold area for dumping such waste material along the southern part of the field where the terrain is made up of the country rock

41 which is not a commercial granite variety. The 7.5 m safety distance may also be used for waste dumping purpose. As the waste material generated in this mine includes rock fragments of different shape and angularity with considerable volume, the waste dump will be stable even at higher slope of the sides of the dump. However, due care will be taken to avoid collapse of the sides of the waste dump by adding suitable variety of soil brought from outside and planting trees over the waste dump.

2.19 SURFACE TRANSPORT:-

The mode of transport of the granite blocks produced and marketed is by road of various consumer destinations and granite processing units located at different part, of the country. The blocks approved for export market are shipped through Chennai / Tuticorin Harbours to various countries.

3. SITE ANALYSIS

The following observations are made for Environmental Management Plan

i. Existing land use pattern

The lease hold area is hilly terrain. The area receives moderate rainfall and the ground water occurs at a depth of 15m and there is only sparse growth of vegetation in and around area. Agricultural activities are fair due to moderate ground water and irrigation facilities. ii. Water regime Ground water occurrence in this area is moderate due to moderate rainfall and arid/semi arid climate. iii. Flora and Fauna

Except the sparse vegetation of certain common species no other flora of botanical importance is noticed in and around the mine area.

42 iv. Climatic condition

The prevailing climatic condition experienced in the mine area is arid/semi arid with maximum temperature up to 400 C. The area receives moderate rainfall about 40cm per annum during both South West monsoon and north east monsoon. v. Human settlements The mine area is located far away from human settlements. Only a few villages are located within a vicinity of 5 km from the mine site. The details are as follows.

Distance Approximate Name of the Village from the population. mine site Ammavaripalli 3.0 km(SW) 1500 Mahimandalam 1.35 km(SE) 1,000 Perumalkuppam 1.89 km(NE) 1300 Vallimalai 3.7 km(NE) 1,000

vi. Public Buildings, Monuments and place of worships:-

There is no public building, monuments or places of worship situated near by the mine area affecting the mining work. There is no other a major river, monuments historically important places or structures of located within a vicinity 2km affecting the mining work. vii. Whether the area falls under notified area under water Act, 1974

Yes, the area falls under notified area under water Act, 1974.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

The mining scheme proposed is for a limited production of granite dimensional stone without involving deep hole drilling and heavy blasting. Such limited mining activity is not likely to cause any impact adversely on environment as far as pollution of air, water and noise is concerned.

43 Environmental Management Plan

Position at the end Proposals for the Sl. Salient items Proposals as per the of five years next five years No Scheme submitted earlier scheme Period scheme period Top soil storage, The recovered top interstitial As proposed in the In the ensuing period preservation and soil from the mine will be mining plan, the top also, the Top soil will utilization used for planting trees and soil in the inner stored for plantation 1 growing vegetation. boundary of the purpose and thus the lease area for afforestation scheme plantation purpose. complied with.

Proposed not to backfill the The mine-pit(s) is The mine-pit(s) will Land mine-pit under its condition, be utilized as a water 2 Reclamation as already proposed reservoir or may be in mining scheme used for pisciculture period. purpose

Proposed to stack the waste The waste has been In the next five years Waste Dump in the inner boundary of the dumped in the inner period, the waste can Management lease area and may used to boundary area and be dumped in the grow plants. plantation done. inner boundary of the 3 lease hold area and utilized for afforestation program. Proposed to cover an area of 25 plants perfor- In the ensuing five Afforestation 120 Sq.m. for afforestation mance year planted years period of programme with program every year by in every year with mining, 25 plants per precautions for Planting 25 plants precautions as year is proposed to be 4 survival and performance year with already proposed in planted for compl- protection of expected survival rate of the mining plan ying the afforestation plantation 80% Precautions are to be period. programme. made to protect the plants by fencing structures.

The proposal for the Quality of mine confinement of waste dump Proposed the same water and any is so arranged to prevented Followed the procedure to be 5 interference the interference of surface procedure as followed in the with surface water sources and thus the proposed in the ensuring five years water spruces quality of mine water is mining plan. period. good. Fly rock Proposed to follow up Followed the muffle In the ensuing five fragments and muffle blasting so as to blasting procedure years period, the 6 precautions prevent fly rock fragments. and thus prevented same safety the fly rock precautions will be fragments. followed. .

44 5. CONCLUSION 5.1 USE OF THE GRANITE STONE The granite dimensional stone material by virtue of its pleasing colour and texture and its best ability to take polishing and appealing look in polished product has attracted the consumers in the building construction and interior decoration industries. People from countries like China, Japan, U.K. and U.S.A., etc, are very much like of this fancy material and the domestic market capabilities have also been elevated in recent periods. Bulk quantity of the blocks are produced and exported as raw blocks and some quantity is being processed at TAMIN’s Granite processing units and exported as valued added finished products.

5.2 QUALITY CONTROL The granite deposit occurring in this mine shows variations in colour and texture and hence the produced blocks are categorized as distinctive quality varieties. The entire mining activities right from the preparation for extrication of blocks to the approval and dispatch of the granite blocks are carried out under the direct supervision of mining geologists and mining engineers well experienced in the mining and trade of granite stones. The extricated blocks are carefully examined for any natural defects such as joints, cracks, xenoliths, etc. and such defects are removed manually using feather and wedges and the blocks are then shaped into effect rectangular dimensional stone blocks by chiselling.

5.3. GRANITE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT The mining plan /scheme have fully covered the aspects of granite conservation with a future plan to extend the proposed working of the mine to the full depth of the deposit. Extreme care is being taken to ensure proper supervision in splitting the granite blocks from the mother rock so that maximum saleable granite is obtained for further utilisation by the consumer industries.

5.4 PROJECT COST Sl.No Description Amount in Rs 1 Machinery 50,00,000.00 2 Manpower 25,00,000.00 3 Consumable like Diesel, Diamond wire etc 10,00,000.00 4 Fencing 3,00,000.00 5 Office Shed 2,00,000.00 6 Others 10,00,000.00 Total 100,00,000.00

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