b. h. srinivasa rao environment management...

B. H. Srinivasa Rao Environment Management Plan

Team Labs and Consultants 1-1

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.

Sri B. H. Srinivasa Rao proposes to conduct semi mechanized open cast method quarrying for

Colour granite extraction in an area of 8.88 ha in Survey No. 383 & 384 (Carved out from

Survey No. 1), Gunnempudi Village, Butchayyapeta Mandal, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra

Pradesh. In principle of application grant of mine lease notice was issued by The Department

of Mines and Geology, vide Notice Number 38164/R1-2/2010 dated 16.07.2016 for a period

of 20 Years. Mining Plan was approved by Joint Director of Mines and Geology vide letter No.

2125/MP- VSP/2016 dated 23.08.2016. It is proposed to conduct semi mechanized open cast

method quarrying for Colour granite production of 12972 m3/ annum. Capital cost proposed

for quarrying is Rs. 60 Lakhs.

Sri B. H. Srinivasa Rao 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 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 carried out by semi mechanization as open cast mining. Hydraulic

excavator and compressor operated jack hammers were used for cutting the rock. Close

spaced drilling of 0.2m was adopted along a straight line and charged with low explosive to

avoid feather cracks. Transportation will be made by trucks to dispatching points.

1.3 Mine Location

Sri B. H. Srinivasa Rao proposes to conduct semi mechanized open cast quarrying for colour

granite production of 12972 m3/ Annum. The quarry lease area of 8.88 ha is located at Survey

No. 383 & 384 (Carved out from Survey No. 1), Gunnempudi Village, Butchayyapeta Mandal,

Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh. The quarry lease area falls in the Survey of India

topo sheet no. 65 K/13 with the co-ordinates of Latitude 17°46'41.53"N and Longitude

82°50'16.60"E with an elevation of 142 m. Nearest village is Kondapalem located at a

distance of 1.2 km from the QL area in SE direction. Ravikamatam to Kondapalem road is

passing adjacent to the lease area in North direction. Narsipatnam to Vaddadi road is passing

at 3.4 km in NW direction. Nearest town Anakapalli is at a distance of 19.5 km in SE direction.

Nearest railway Station is Bayyavaram located at a distance of 16.3 km in SE direction.



Seasonal Nala Pedda Eru is flowing at a distance of 7.7 km from the QL area in NE direction.

Seasonal Nala Bodderu is flowing at a distance of 8.3 km from the QL area in NE direction.

Seasonal Nala Vedurla Gedda is flowing at a distance of 3.9 km from the QL area in SE

direction. Nagallakonda Reserved Forest is at 9.0 km in NW direction. Gollapalem Reserved

Forest is at distance of 6.9 km in SW direction. Guddepa Reserved Forest is at distance of 9.6

km in SW direction. Pangidi Reserved Forest is at distance of 6.8 km in SE direction. There is

no state/national boundary, national park, wildlife/bird sanctuary and critically polluted areas

within 10km radius from the quarry lease area. Quarry lease location map is presented in

figure 1.1. Details of the mine lease area are presented in table 1.1.

Table 1.1 Details of the Lease area

State & District Mandal Village Sy. No./

Plot No.

Area in

hectares

Ownership of

occupancy

Andhra Pradesh

& Visakhapatnam

Butchayyapeta Gunnempudi 383 & 384 8.88 Government

Land

1.4 Land use pattern of the lease area

The quarry lease applied area is a hill with steep slope. It is occupied by massive rock

formation in the entire area, does not cover much vegetation except small bushes and shrubs.

Table 1.2 Land use in Lease Area

S. No Purpose Extent (Ha)

1 Area proposed for mining 1.93

2 Waste dump area 3.3216

3 Road 0.09

4 Infrastructure (Office, rest shelter) 0.015

5 Green belt 0.0375

6 Stock Yard 0.15

7 Vacant 3.3359

Total 8.88



Fig 1.1 Location map of Sri B. H. Srinivasa Rao



Fig 1.2 Quarry Lease Area sketch Sri B. H. Srinivasa Rao



2.0 Topography

The applied area is a hill with steep slopes towards east, north and south, and a flat surface

on the top of the hill, with top contour 230 m at the south side of the Q.L applied area. The

highest contour is 230 m and the lowest is 110 m. Thus, the area is having an altitudinal range

of 120 m from the general ground level. The quarry lease applied area is occupied by massive

rock on the south side of the Q.L applied area. Due to rocky terrain of having granite rock

formation in the entire area, does not cover much vegetation except small bushes and

shrubs. There are no prominent streams and canals in the area.

3.0 Regional Geology

The region forms a part of the Eastern Ghats mobile Belt - a unique entity in the Indian

Geology. It is made up of rocks included in the Eastern Ghats Supergroup of Archaean age.

Comprising a distinctive group of lithounits, the Eastern Ghats Supergroup represents one of

the most deep-seated ensemble now exposed at the surface levels. The rocks of both

sedimentary and igneous parentage formed in a mobile belt are highly metamorphosed in

granulite facies and intensely deformed in multiple diastrophic episodes. The khondalite and

its variants of the Khondalite Group and the different varieties of charnockite of the

Charnockite Group comprise the predominant rock units. The khondalite, a sedimentary

derivative, is quartz-garnet-sillimanite-graphite gneiss with well developed banding defined

by the alignment of leucocratic and melanocratic constituent minerals. Charnockite, an

igneous derivative, is bluish to gray, massive crystalline rock with distinctive mineralogy.

Hypersthene is characteristic of the varieties of charnockite ranging from basic to acidic. This

assemblage of charnockite and khondalite is intruded by the later granites resulting in the

formation of migmatite gneisses, banded gneisses etc. The final phase of igneous activity is

represented by the emplacement of quartz and pegmatite veins.

The mobile belt is divided into three longitudinal zones viz. the Western Charnockite Zone

(WCZ), the Cental Khondalite Zone (CKZ) and the Eastern Migmatite Zone (EMZ). The EMZ is

well developed in the Northern parts of the belt around Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and

Srikakulam.

Garnetiferous granitoids and migmatites of various types (including leptynite) with enclaves

of khondalite and charnockite and prophyroblastic hypersthene gneiss constitute the EMZ.



4.0 Local Geology

The Quarry Lease applied area comprises of massive sheet rock formation. The area forms

part of the Archean metamorphic belt of the Eastern Ghats occupied by Khondalite,

Charnockie series of rocks and garnetiferous gneissic granites. The lithounits may be

classified as Archean complex subject to granulite facies of metamorphism with later

quartzo-felspathic injections resulting in migmatisation. The rock types exposed in the

mandal are as follows

Archeans - Quartz - Felspathic Gneiss/Granite Gneiss(Leptynite), Quatz-Felspar-Biotite -

Garnet Gneiss Migmatite with inclusions of Charnockite, Pyroxene Granulite or

Enclaves of Khondalite, Hypersthene Gneiss/Granite, Pyroxene Gneiss

The rock types exposed are mainly hypersthene gneisses and charnockite series of rocks from

acidic to basic, migmatites, quartzo-felspathic granite gneiss. The rock is melanocratic in

colour and equigranular with medium to coarse grain texture.

4.1 Brief description of litho units

The Migmatites & Quartz – Feldspar, Garnet Gneiss are commercially known as “River

White”. The Migmatite essentially consists of Quartz and Feldspar Garnet granulites. On the

basis of texture, structure and mineral assemblage the garnetiferous granulites are known as

leptynites are considered to be derived from metasedimentary rocks and Charnockites. The

rock displays Wavy Banding, pygmatic folding of bands, paleoso - Mesosom - Leucosom and

Minimal Lineation. A number of parallel slips trending N-S, NNW-SSE and NNE-SSW cut across

the way banding, pinching and displacing the bandings, which imparts additional beauty to

the stone besides its White colour. The Colour Granite from this area is being exploited under

the commercial name of “River White”.

5.0 Exploration

Already carried out:

In this area the applicant has undertaken following prospecting work:

a) Preliminary study of the visual examination of granite texture, design and pattern.

b) In this area the colour granite are exposed to surface with high elevation. The rock is

stretching to a length of 399 m and an average width of 295m only. The adjacent Quarry

Lease holders are excavating the blocks and are marketing. The area is a proven area and

the subject area is in of the same hill ranges. However, the applicant has to carry out



detailed prospecting operations to study the economic viability of the dimensional blocks.

c) The applicant, to study the feasibility of the applied area, has collected 2 no’s of sample

and examined for their structural details, fabric, texture and mineral grains distribution

and polish surface. The percentage of recovery is arrived to be about 20%. However, the

percentage of recovery is anticipated to be increased with respect to the depth and the

technology to be used.

Future Program of Exploration

Since, the deposit is exposed of big boulders and the preliminary collections of samples and

study of the rock proved to be marketable grade, and also the presence of existing quarry

adjacent to the subject area. No further exploration of the deposit is envisaged. The applicant

wishes to carry out excavations and conduct regular quarrying operations in systematic

manner.

6.0 Estimation and Calculation of Geological Reserves

The reserves are computed basing on the available sub-surface lithology of the subject area

and also excavations made in the existing quarries adjacent to the subject area by other lease

holders. It reveals that the sheet rock is encountered right from the surface and it extended

further depths. However, thickness available upto RL 90m level is taken for computation of

proved deposit and 20m each below the proved as probable and possible deposit. The

proved deposit is considered as "Reserves" and the probable deposit is considered as

"Resources". The reserves computed on the basis of the above consideration are given in

table below.

Table 1.3 Geological Reserves

Category Section Influence

Distance in m

Section

Area in m²

Volume

in m³

Recovery @

20 % in m3

Wastage @

80 % in m3

Proved

A-A' 30 20159 604770 120954 483816

B-B' 30 17335 520050 104010 416040

C-C' 30 16358 490740 98148 392592

D-D' 30 28100 843000 168600 674400

E-E' 35 19257 673995 134799 539196

Total 3132555 626511 2506044

Probable

A-A' 30 4892 146760 29352 117408

B-B' 30 17335 520050 104010 416040

C-C' 30 4742 142260 28452 113808

D-D' 30 7983 239490 47898 191592



E-E' 35 6774 237090 47418 189672

Total 1285650 257130 1028520

Grand Total 4418205 883641 3534564

The reserves are blocked by the 7.5 barrier zone as follows:


Distance in m

Section

Area in m²

Volume

in m³

Recovery @

20 % in m3

Wastage @

80 % in m3

Proved

A-A' 30 1268 38040 7608 30432

B-B' 30 1183 35490 7098 28392

C-C' 30 1077 32310 6462 25848

D-D' 30 13911 417330 83466 333864

E-E' 35 1184 41440 8288 33152

Total 564610 112922 451688

Probable

A-A' 30 300 9000 1800 7200

B-B' 30 300 9000 1800 7200

C-C' 30 300 9000 1800 7200

D-D' 30 2375 71250 14250 57000

E-E' 35 505 17675 3535 14140

Total 115925 23185 92740

Grand Total 680535 136107 544428

The reserves are blocked under safety slopes as follows


Distance in m

Section

Area in m²

Volume

in m³

Recovery @

20 % in m3

Wastage @ 80

% in m3

Proved

A-A' 30 2025 60750 12150 48600

B-B' 30 1877 56310 11262 45048

C-C' 30 1737 52110 10422 41688

D-D' 30 1318 39540 7908 31632

E-E' 35 1657 57995 11599 46396

Total 266705 53341 213364

Probable

A-A' 30 926 27780 5556 22224

B-B' 30 859 25770 5154 20616

C-C' 30 795 23850 4770 19080

D-D' 30 694 20820 4164 16656

E-E' 35 742 25970 5194 20776

Total 124190 24838 99352

Grand Total 390895 78179 312716

6.1 Mineable Reserves and Life of the Quarry

The mineable reserves thus arrived are presented below



S. No Description Quantity in m3

1 Total Reserves assessed 883641

2 Reserves blocked in the 7.5 m buffer zone 136107

3 Reserves blocked under safety slopes 78179

4 Total reserve blocked 214286

5 Balance Reserves (1-4) 669355

Life of Mine = Mineable Reserves / Proposed annual Production

= 669355 m3/ 12972 m

3

= 51.5 Years or Say 52 Years

7.0 Mining

Open Cast method of mining is carried out in this mine by semi mechanization by using

compressor operated jack hammer drills, excavators and dumper etc. Transportation will be

made by trucks to dispatching points. Hydraulic excavator and compressor jack hammers

were used for cutting the rock. Close shed drilling of 0.2m was adopted along the strike line

and charged with low explosive to avoid feather cracks.

7.1 Separation of Large Primary Blocks of Mother Rock

The primary cuts i.e. the lateral and horizontal cuts by diamond wire saw cuts through

slaughter holes (A 50 m wire saw run gets around 600 sqm. Cut) and if situation permits by

use of detonating cords a close spaced blast is performed (To leverage natural Joint). 10 m in

length and 8 m in width and 6 m height Sizes are produced. The wire for Granite is made of

the steel wire, sintered beds with plastics injected on the steel wire and between diamond

beds in order to safeguard the steel wire from the abrasive components of granite (i.e

Quartz, Feldspar.etc).

The stationary diamond wire machines were born for three main purposes:-

• Squaring and dressing of irregularly shaped blocks, preparing them for final processing

in slabs and tiles.

• Making thickness of stone of certain width in order to utilize the best gangsaws and

blocks cutter having maximum productions and profit from the processing machines.

• Perform automatic cuts of block into slabs of different thickness. The block can so be

programmed to have a certain number of slabs each of prescribed thickness.



7.2 Sub Division of Large Primary Block into Secondary Block

i) Once the primary blocks are dislodged from sheet rock, depending upon the

dislodged material secondary blocks are cut, fractures, black lines and penetrative

cracks are all carefully trimmed and penetrative cracks are all carefully trimmed and

removed by this way.

ii) The commercial blocks will be trimmed so as that the sides form right angles to each

other

iii) The size of blocks could be formed from ROM of this property will be in the following

dimension ranges

Gangsaw sizes Cutter sizes

Length : 190 to 380 cm 90 to 180 cm

Width : 140 to 200 cm 60 to 90 cm

Height : 120 to 170 cm 40 to 70 cm

7.3 Production of commercial blocks

To give a regular shape, the removed blocks are dressed with cutting and polishing face, and

the other direction perpendicular to it. For this purpose also Jack Hammer drills and feather

wedges are widely used. Below sizes were produced in the ratio of 1:3 and also depending

upon the recovery.

8.0 List of Machinery

Semi - Mechanized quarrying method are to be followed involving the following Machinery

Machinery Quantity

Excavator 370 & 200 2

Tippers 2

Jack Hammer Drills 6

Air Compressors 2

Water Pump 1

Tam rock 1

Wire-saw cutting machines 2

Minor Tools: Crowbars, heavy duty sledge hammers, pick axes, Spades etc., will be used.



9.0 Employment Potential

Table 1.4 Employment potential

S. No Description Quantity

1 Mines Manager/ Supervisor 1

2 Mines Supervisor 1

3 Skilled Workers 10

4 Unskilled Workers 10

5 Machine Operators 2

6 Watch Man 1

Total 25

10.0 Year wise development and production for five years

It has been proposed to commence quarrying operation from the top of the hill at the central

part of the Q.L applied area in part lying between 186 R.L to 155 R.L.

1st

Year: The First year quarrying operations will be commenced from the South central part

of the Q.L applied on the top of the hill 6 m height from the South Central part end of the Q.L

at 180 m R.L and advancing towards South side and reducing the floor level to RL 174. The

floor level shall be kept intact. It is proposed to excavate an area of 10603 m2 with an

average thickness of 6 m. With 20 % recovery a volume of 12723.6 m3

saleable granite and

waste of 50894.4 m3 of rock mass will be removed. The production is kept low in the first

year because during this year development activities like formation of roads, making of ramp

and development of benches shall involve which may hindrance the production.

2nd

Year: The Second year quarrying operations will be continued from the south central part

of the Q.L applied further advance south upto RL 174m from 180 m R.L and advances all

possible directions keeping the floor R.L 174 m intact throughout. It is proposed to excavate

an area of 10810 m2

with an average thickness of 6 m and volume of 12972 m3 of salable

granite is produced and a volume of 51888 m3 of rock mass has to be handled as waste.

3rd

Year: The third year quarrying operations will be commenced from south to the 2nd

year,

advancing further towards south. During the year the quarry operations shall be between

contour 190 m to 184 m R.L, keeping the floor level as 184 m. An area of 10194 m2

will be

destructed to achieve a volume of 12232.8 m3

of saleable granite with an average thickness

of 6 m and a volume of 48931.2 m3 of rock mass has to be handled as waste.

4th

Year: The Fourth year quarrying operations will be continued from south of 3rd

year of

contour 230 m to RL 224 keeping the floor level as 224 m. An area of 10379 m2

will be



destructed to achieve a volume of 12454.8 m3

of saleable granite with an average thickness

of 6 m and a volume of 49819.2 m3

of rock mass has to be handled as waste.

5th

Year: The fifth year quarrying operations shall be continued from the face of the fourth

year operations from floor R.L. 224 m at the southern side of the Q.L area keeping the floor

level as RL 224 m. An area of 9914 m2

will be destructed to achieve a volume of 11896.8 m3

of

saleable granite with an average thickness of 6 m and a volume of 47587.2 m3 of rock mass

has to be handled as waste. Year wise production and waste generation details are presented

in table 1.5.

Table 1.5 Year wise Granite Production and Waste generation

Year Area (m2) Average

Thickness (m)

Volume (m3) Production @ 20 %

(m3)

Waste @ 80 % (m3)

1 10603 6 63618 12723.6 50894.4

2 10810 6 64860 12972 51888

3 10194 6 61164 12232.8 48931.2

4 10379 6 62274 12454.8 49819.2

5 9914 6 59484 11896.8 47587.2

Total 311400 62280 249120

Average 62280 12456 49824

11.0 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.

11.1 Broad 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.

11.2 Drilling Parameters

Drill hole pattern will be uniform single lined pattern, equidistance holes from 0.33 m to 0.75

m, 4.5 m in depth.

Drilling Parameter

i. Drill hole diameter - 34 mm



ii. Spacing depends upon the size of the boulder, in general it 15 cms from hole to hole

for better splitting.

12.0 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 at the quarry lease area.

Drinking water will be supplied to the workers from the borewell 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. 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) 4.3

2 Water sprinkling on haul roads @ 1Ltr/Sq.Mt 900 m

2)+1/4

th for

waste dump 3.0

3 Domestic @ 45 Ltr/Head (25 No’s) 1.1

4 Green Belt @ 0.2 KL for 0.0375 ha – 2 times a day 0.4

Total 8.8

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.

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 6 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

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

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:

� 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;

� Reducing the exposure time of workers to the higher noise levels by shift management.

� Smooth blasting techniques, special explosives and silent non-explosive demolishing

agent will be used.

� 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:

� Blasting should be carried out in the daytime, as during the night time the sound intensity

becomes higher;

� Blasting should not be carried out when strong winds are blowing towards the inhabited

areas;

� Maximum permissible charge per delay should be decided on the basis of the distance of

structure to be protected from the blasting.

� The number of rows in a blast should not be more than four so that fly rock generation

and ground vibration is reduced.

� Peak particle velocity or ground vibrations for safety of nearby structures and

residential buildings should be well within 12.5 mm/sec;

� To contain fly rocks, stemming column should not be less than the burden of the hole,

and the blasting area should be muffled;

� 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 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 ground particle velocities at different distances (3 m, 3.2

m, 5 m, 10 m, 50 m, 70 m, 100 m, 150 m and 200 m, 500 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

The results are presented in the Table 1.7 below for the maximum charge

Table 1.7 Ground Particle Velocity (V)

S.

No

Constant

(K1)

Charge

Per Delay

(Q in Kg)

Peak Particle Velocity (V) mm/second

Distance from the Blasting (R in meters)

3 3.2 5 10 50 70 100 150 200 500

1 880 0.20 58.29 53.77 30.78 12.94 1.73 1.14 0.73 0.44 0.31 0.10

2 1400 0.20 92.74 85.55 48.97 20.59 2.75 1.81 1.16 0.70 0.49 0.15

It is clear that with Q = 0.2 kg charge per day shall result in ground particle velocity is 1.14

mm/sec in soft rock within a distance of 70 m while in the hard rock the ground particle

velocity is 1.16 mm/sec shall be within 100 m. There shall not be any structure with in 70 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

> 70 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 30-35 m below from the surface and the quarrying

operations will be carried on top of hill which is about 120 m from ground level. Maximum



depth of quarry is 25 m from top of hill. Hence neither ground water table nor the general

surface drainage pattern is affected. 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 30-35 m 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 8.8 KLD. Water

sprinkling on mine haulage roads etc shall consume 3.0 KLD. Wet drilling operations consume

about 4.3 KLD. For green belt development water consumption is about 0.4 KLD. Domestic

purpose is about 1.1 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 0.9

KLD, 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:

� The blasting activities will have to take care on the sinkholes, cracks and fissures in the

site activities.

� During excavation and drilling activities effort must be taken to avoid face collapse at

these cracks and fissures.

� 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.

� 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

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 of 311400 m3 will be excavated and 62280 m

3

of granite blocks will be recoverable from this rock mass and remaining material of about

249120 m3 will go as waste mineral. Such kind of waste will be dumped in dumping yard.



Most of solid waste will be disposed for road construction, back filling of mine excavation and

some other general purpose.

19.0 Dump Area

The waste generated during plan period will be dumped with in lease area over an extent of

about 0.83 ha to a height of 30 m. By the end of lease period about 3.32 ha of lease area will

be utilized for dumping. Step dumping will be resorted. 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 during five years period because the mining will be continued to

further depths and reclamation could be possible only after completion of mining upto the

proposed depths.

20.1.1 Soil Conservation Measures

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

Ravikamatam to Kondapalem road is passing adjacent to the lease area in North direction.

Narsipatnam to Vaddadi road is passing at 3.4 km in NW direction. Nearest railway Station is

Bayyavaram located at a distance of 16.3 km in SE direction. The finished product and waste

material is transported by road using trucks of 17 Tons capacity. The number of trips will be

approximately three per day for transportation of mineral and the trucks are covered with

tarpaulin. The lessee will deploy two 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.

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.

During the plan period about 100 saplings will be planted in an area of 375 m2 in north side

buffer zone.

The environmental greening program as designed comprises the location and development

of a shelterbelt and Afforestation in about 0.0375 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 25. 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.

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

� Slope failure at the mine faces;

� Accident due to explosives;

� Accident due to heavy equipment/machinery;

� Sabotage in case of magazine; and

� 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;

� 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

� 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 survey

b. Noise Level Monitoring

c. Water quality monitoring

Ambient air quality and noise level Monitoring will be carried out at minimum two stations,

one station within mine site and one station 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.

27.0 Cost proposed for Environmental Protection Measures

The cost estimate of environment management is presented in table 1.8.

Table 1.8 Environment Management - Cost Estimate

S. No. Description Item Capital

cost (Rs.)

Recurring

cost (Rs.) Remarks

1 Air pollution

Nose masks 25 No's 24000 2400

Once a week. Replaceable,

and cost may increase with

time

Cloth for drillers 15 no's 1.0m

each. 4800 900 Issued quarterly

Gunny bags for covering the

surface of jackhammer holes 19200 5400

As and when needed, Lump

sum.

Road wetting @ 1 Ltr/900 Sq. m.

and waste dump settling (1/4 of

wetting) - 5000 Ltrs tank

35712 10714

Water tanker cost @ one

tankers per day for 300

days

Plantation on road side - 3m

interval and buffer zone - 3m

interval plus maintenance

17500 8167

Re-plant the non-surviving

plants, watering and

protection from animals



Sub Total 101212 27580

2 Water

pollution

Construction of garland drains 142300 45536 Once only for the lease

period/life of mine

De-silting operations 105000 33000 Yearly and manual

operations

Construction of check dams 156360 57332

Once in year, cost incurred

is to buy sand bags and

filling sand

Construction of retaining wall

for waste dump in slope side 131300 40400

Cost of construction of wall

around the dip side of the

dump.

Sub Total 534960 176268

3 Noise pollution

Maintenance of machinery

suitably - Rs. 4000 per 3 months 80000 44000 Included in main cost

PPE's like Ear muffs - Rs. 15 each 2500 500 Once in six months

Sub Total 82500 44500

4

Occupational

Safety and

Health

First aid kits - 2 No's Fire

extinguishers - 2 No's 7200 3600

Once in year, replace by

conducting periodical

checkup

PPE's to all employees (hand

gloves @ Rs. 30, safety shoe @

Rs. 1500 and helmet @ Rs. 100)

63850 26817

Safety shoe twice in a year,

helmets once in three years

and hand gloves thrice in a

year

Training and awareness

programs on risk factors during

emergencies by the experts

10000 5000

Once in six months and

create sign boards about

the risk and safety

precautions regularly

Periodical medical checkup and

supply of medicines - Rs. 600 per

head

15000 2600

Once in a year and supply of

medicines for every three

months

Sub Total 96050 38017

5 Environmental

monitoring

Ambient air quality studies -

Once in six months - 2 locations - 13600

Will be done through

MoEF&CC/NABL recognised

laboratories

Water quality studies - Once a

year - 2 Locations - 3000

Noise studies - Once in six

months - 2 Locations - 4400

Vibration studies - Once in year -

1 locations - 7800

Sub Total 0 28800

Grand Total 814722 315165

b. h. srinivasa rao environment management...

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