Assessment of Pollution Caused Due to Coal Mining
Assessment of Pollution Caused Due to Coal Mining
In order to assess the pollution caused by coal mining, detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is made for each new mine prior to its opening and also for each mine prior to its proposed expansion, based on the stipulated guidelines of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 and subsequent amendments. The EIA is also combined with subsequent mitigation plan as Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notified environmental standards for coal mines. The environmental standards are enforced by the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) through consent mechanism under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The SPCBs /PCCs carryout periodic monitoring to verify the compliance of the consent conditions imposed to the unit.
The Government has made it mandatory to obtain Environmental Clearance (EC) for mining of coal, major minerals and minor minerals. The project proponent is required to carry out Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and prepare Environment Management Plan (EMP). As per conditions of EC, air and water monitoring in mining project area is to be carried out by project proponent and reports submitted on six monthly basis.
It is mandatory to get prior Environmental Clearance as per Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006 for new or expansion coal mining projects.For securing Environmental Clearance EIA/EMP is a mandatory document which incorporates the issue raised by public during Public Consultation including all major positive / negative impacts on Environment /Ecology /social aspects of the surrounding areas caused due to mining.
MoEF&CC imposes various Specific as well as General conditions in Environmental Clearance of the coal mining project to reduce the negative effects of coal mines on environment.Compliance of EC conditions is ensured by the project proponent by submitting EMP implementation status report to MoEF&CC on regular basis.
In order to reduce the pollution due to coal mining, in the EIA/EMP detailed pollution control measures are deliberated. Accordingly, this EIA/ EMP is implemented & pollution control measures are taken. The major measures with respect to various attributes are given below:
Air Pollution Control Measures :
Water Pollution Control Measures :
Land Reclamation :
The Coal Block Development and Production Agreement (CBDPA) executed between Nominated Authority (Ministry of Coal, GoI) and Successful Bidder for commercial coal mines stipulates that the Successful Bidder endeavors to minimize the carbon footprints from operations at the Coal Mine, undertake steps to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainability, in accordance with Good Industry Practice. Further, Successful Bidder shall implement mechanized coal extraction, transport and evacuation in the Coal Mine, in line with modern and prevalent technologies.
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.