BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT : MARKAGONDI LATERITE MINE

Introduction : Markagondi Laterite mine having an area of 33.03 Ha. in Village Markagondi, Tah – Dist - in State was granted on mining lease to M/s. Royal Potteries Ceramics Industries, Chandrapur for a period of 30 years vide Government of Maharashtra, Industries. Energy and labour Department, Mumbai’s order No. MMN – 1301 / 80 / IND – 9 dt. 21.3.03. The lease was executed on 12.6.2003 and will be in subsistence w.e.f. 12.6.03 to 11.06.2033. The proposed mine will be developed as opencast mine for the production of Laterite @ 1,25,000 tonnes / annum (0.125 MTPA). In order to obtain environmental clearance as per the EIA Notification 2006, the application for the project under consideration. Since, the project is located near interstate boundary (Maharashtra-Andhra Pradesh, 6.5 km) it is categorized as Category-A project as per the EIA Notification 2006.

Profile of the Project Proponent: Shri Abdul Kadir Bhai is a owner for the mine under consideration. The mining activities are suspended for the need of environmental clearance. The applicant does not have any other mining lease either in Maharashtra or any other of the country for any mineral. Communication details of the project proponent are as under; Shri Abdul Kadarbhai, SBI Colony, Opposite Mount Carmel School, Mul Road, Chandrapur.

Accessibility - The area can be approached by Rajura--Sengaon road. The proposed area is 40 km from Rajura. From Sengaon there is diversion towards south-east for Markagondi village. The nearest railhead is at Manikgarh (Rajura) which is 45 km from the proposed site and is under Central Railway The proposed area is covered in parts of Survey of Toposheet no. 56 M/2 within Latitude 19o34’49”N and longitude 79o10’36”E. The area is an undulating terrain. .

Land Use Pattern: The lease area is having almost flat surface with slightly sloping towards south. The lease area is surrounded by forest land. The area is covered by a very thin layer of about 0.10 m- 0.30 m soil, at places. There is no other activity in the area as the area is mostly barren.

Physiography: The proposed area is having almost flat topography on a basement containing thick Laterite beds in almost horizontal situation. The maximum contour value is 480 m and minimum contour value is 460- m. The proposed area is covered with thin alluvial soil in places its thickness may vary from 0.1 m to 0.3m. The drainage of the area is towards south and flows into small rivulet. This rivulet is flowing in south & south-east direction and ultimately joins Bapur Vagu at a distance of about 6 km from the area. The proposed area is surrounded by forest land.

Proposed Method of Mining : On the grant of lease and clearance from MOEF, the proponent proposes to adopt manual open cast method of mining. The bench of 6 m. height and 6 m. width will be developed where the angle of face will be about 70o – 80o but the pit slope will be 45o. The mine road will be developed for ore movements and up to waste dumps/soil dump site.

Proposed Employment Potential: The proponent has to appoint Mines manager, Mining Engineer, Mate, etc. to full fill the requirement of Rule 42 of MCDR 1988. The total manpower requirement for achieving the proposed production is 31.