Reply of Additional Details Sought In compliance of MoM of 56th EAC Coal Mining Sector (held on 30th June, 2020) For (Agenda No 56.3) EXPANSION OF MAKARDHOKRA-I OPENCAST MINE (PHASE-I) Tehsil- Umrer, District- Nagpur Maharashtra (Umrer Area, WCL) [Proposal No. IA/MH/CMIN/154498/2018; J- 11015/54/2006-IA-II (M)] For Expansion in Production Capacity from 2.00 MTPA to 3.50 MTPA & Within ML area of 614.69 ha in Phase-I February - 2021 [Online Proposal No. IA/MH/CMIN/154498/2018; J- 11015/54/2006-IA-II (M)] 1. BACKGROUND The proposal for Environmental Clearance (EC) for “Expansion of Makardhokra-I Opencast mine (Phase-I) in Capacity from 2 MTPA to 3.50 MTPA of M/s Western Coalfields Limited in mine lease area of 614.69 ha located in Tehsil Umrer, District Nagpur (Maharashtra)” was considered in 56th EAC meeting held on 30th June 2020. Subsequently, Additional Details Sought (ADS) on 31.07.2020 for the information / clarification on the certain points. Relevant portion of recorded minutes of the 56th EAC meeting is detailed below: Quote: “ 56.3.4 The EAC after deliberation sought compliance on below mentioned details: Letter of Member Secretary to MoEF regarding Public Hearing proceedings is not provided or enclosed. PP shall justify the baseline monitoring conducted during October, 2019 to 15th January, 2020 and then PH was conducted on 16th January, 2020. Permission of CGWA for ground water extraction is still pending since 2017. PP shall correct details submitted in Form # 2 @ Sr. No.27 regarding R & R, PP states there are 0 villages for R&R however at the end it mentions that R & R yet to start. And @Sr. No.35 (4) Approved Mine lease area is stated as 614.69 ha however approval document enclosed states that total land area is 660.02. Study the impact of diversion of Shirpur Nallah and accordingly necessary permission from concerned State Water Resource Department shall be submitted. Fresh/Separate baseline data for Flora & Fauna should be generated instead of using of Dinesh OC (nearby Makardhokra-I). PP shall clarify why CER is not applicable though the proposal is for expansion from 2 MTPA to 3.5 MTPA there must be additional capital investment for the project Permission for diversion is required from concerned authority for Butibori-Kanwa PWD road which is passing in between proposed dip side quarry surface and external dump. PP shall carry out hydro-geological investigations as regards the quality and quantity of water. Impact of mining activity on aquifers and water table considering the project is located near the Makardhokra Reservoir shall also be studied. PP shall implement separate ETP for the proposed project for HEMM deployed though their maintenance will be contractor’s responsibilities. PP shall provide necessary mitigation measures as maximum Air quality data of PM10 and PM2.5 is almost close to 100 and 60 respectively at almost all the sites Mitigation measures to protect residence of Shirpur village should be proposed by PP as rehabilitation of Shirpur village is proposed in Phase – II. Clarification from District Forest Officer that project does not falls under Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Pench Tiger Reserve, Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve, Melghat Tiger Reserve, Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, and Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary and there is no wildlife corridor (Tiger/Elephant). Site visit may be conducted as early as possible by sub-committee of EAC Keeping in view above points the proposal was deferred for compliance of the above point” :unquote 2. POINTWISE COMPLIANCE AGAINST THE OBSERVATIONS OF THE EAC ADS – 1 : Letter of member secretory to MoEF regarding Public hearing is not provided or enclosed. Submission / status of compliance : Copy of the letter vide no. BO/JD(WPC)/PH/B-299831-FTS-0132 dated 31/08/2020 from MPCB, Mumbai addressed to MoEF & CC, New Delhi regarding submission of Public Hearing proceedings is placed below for ready reference. ADS - 2 : PP shall justify the baseline monitoring conducted during October, 2019 to 15th January, 2020 and then PH was conducted on 16th January, 2020. Submission / status of compliance : The subject mine under consideration, is an operating mine having valid EC (granted vide letter no. J- 11015/54/2006-IA-II (A) dated 26.11.2015) for 2.00 MTPA capacity in a mine lease area of 614.69 ha which is now being proposed for expansion in production capacity only as Phase - I (from 2.00 MTPA to 3.50 MTPA). As mandated under EIA Notification, 2006, Terms of Reference (ToR) for the proposed expansion has been secured from MoEF & CC vide its letter no. J-11015/54/2006-IA-II(M) pt.file dated 7th November, 2019. During the presentation, for grant of the aforesaid ToR, in 48th EAC meeting held on 04.10.2019, the PP apprised the EAC regarding the baseline data generated during the period April 2019 to June 2019 at six locations. The recorded data was found within the permissible limits. It may be mentioned here that, this period in specific reference to this region is worst /near to worst case scenario so far as ambient air quality is concerned with peak temperature and minimum humidity. It may be worthwhile to mention here that, the same has also been recorded in the minutes of 48th EAC at 48.19.2. (xxvi). Quote: “ (xxvi) Baseline for Ambient Air Quality have been generated during April 2019 to June 2019 in the study area. The results have been found to be within prescribed limits” :unquote The same data as presented before the EAC has been incorporated in the EIA – EMP, prepared and presented at Public Hearing. It may be further mentioned that, the EAC noted the submission of PP and advised further for 4- 5 monitoring stations in the downwind areas which are to be included in the air quality monitoring. As per the aforesaid directives of EAC as recorded, additional monitoring stations in the downwind (5 Nos.) were selected and fresh ambient air quality data was generated in baseline frequency during October, 2019 to January 15, 2020. So far as this season is concerned (post - monsoon), this period is quite comfortable w.r.t. pre - monsoon season indicated in previous paragraph. From the above, it is concluded that, Public Hearing document (draft EIA-EMP) is already having valid baseline data as required and final EIA- EMP submitted to MOEF&CC is having, in addition to original baseline (April 2019-June 2019), the data generated during October 2019 to 15th January, 2020 as directed by EAC for air quality modelling. ADS – 3 : Permission of CGWA is still pending since 2017. Only application has been done however no NOC obtained. Submission / status of compliance : It is most humbly submitted that, the said issue regarding CGWA NOC for abstraction of ground water, was clarified in the 56th EAC meeting held on 30th June, 2020 and the same has been noted in the approved minutes. The relevant portion from the approved minutes of the meeting is re-produced below:- Quote “NOC from CGWA has been secured for abstraction of ground water vide its letter CGWA/NOC/MIN/ORIG/2020/8139 dated 09.06.2020.” Unquote However, a copy of the CGWA NOC (granted vide letter no. CGWA/NOC/MIN/ORIG/2020/8139 dated 09.06.2020) for abstraction ground water is again reproduced below for ready reference. ADS – 4 : PP shall correct details submitted in Form #2 Sr. No. 27 regarding R&R, PP states that there are 0 villages for R&R however at the end it mentions that R&R yet to start. And @ Sr. No. 35(4) Approved Mine Lease Area is stated as 614.69 ha however approval document enclosed states that the total land area is 660.02 ha. Submission / status of compliance : As far as R&R is concerned w.r.t. Expansion of Makardhokra- I Opencast Mine (Phase -I), it may be mentioned that, no rehabilitation envisaged in Phase - I of the Project. The same statement has been given at the time ToR presentation and accordingly recorded in ToR. Regarding, the query of “at the end it mentions that R&R is yet to start”, it is most humbly submitted that in the online PARIVESH portal there is no drop- down option as “ not required”. Accordingly with the available options, the best possible option relevant to “0” villages has been chosen. Regarding the clarification in mine lease area, it is submitted that, project for proposed expansion has been conceived and planned in two phases viz. Phase - I & II. Accordingly, the Mining Plan has been prepared and approval of WCL Board has been secured for Phase – I & Phase – II. The land area involved in Phase - I is 614.69 ha and including Phase - II it will go up to 660.02 ha. The total land area of 614.69 ha as involved in Phase - I was apprised during ToR presentation and accordingly recorded in ToR. There is no additional land requirement in Phase - I. This proposal is for Phase - I only and the relevant details have been incorporated accordingly in line with the ToR granted for Phase - I. ADS – 5 : Study the Impact of diversion of Shirpur Nala and accordingly necessary permission from concerned State Water Resource Department shall be submitted. Submission / status of compliance : In reference to the Shirpur Nala, following is submitted. The Shirpur Nala is situated to the south of Makardhokra-I OC Mine. This is a seasonal stream which remains completely dry during non-monsoon period. In this regard, it is submitted that, the diversion will be carried out only with due permission from State Water Resource Department which is already in the process and the details are placed below:- For Diversion of this nallah correspondence was done with Central Design Organisation, Water Resources Department (Planning & Hydrology) Nashik, Govt of Maharashtra vide letter no.