Q1.

What are the environmental impacts caused due to

opencast coal mining project?(i.e.Parsa coal mine)

Positive Impacts Negative Impacts

1.Creation of employment 1.Contaminates GroundWater

opportunities for local labour. 2.Chemical, Air & Dust Pollution
2.Increase in the economy of the 3.Methane in the Atmosphere
country. 4.Health Hazards
3.Increase in development of 5.Displacement of Communities
surrounding areas providing 6.Deforestation and Erosion
schools, hospitals and in general 7.Destruction of Landscapes and Habitats
development.
4.Provides a stable source of coal
which can be used for various
purposes like thermal plants and
electricity.

Positive impacts
1. Creation of employment opportunities for local labour: The
surrounding area residing people are used in nearby villages are employed
in the mining areas as well as mining related activities like transportation of
coal and management of overburden etc.

2. Increase in the economy of the country:Since Coal is considered as the

cheapest source of Fuel and easily available naturally,hence mining is
 carried. Coal is a very important commodity and it is used highly to boost
economic growth of the country. It creates jobs and it can also be exported
to other countries.

3. Increase in development of surrounding areas providing schools,

hospitals and in general development: Mining is essential to the
production of goods, services and infrastructure that improve the quality of
lives.These benefits include low cost, reliable electricity and the materials
necessary to build homes, schools, hospitals, roads, highways, bridges and
airports.

4. Provides a stable source of coal which can be used for various

purposes like thermal plants and electricity: Energy produced from coal
fired plants is cheaper and more affordable than other energy sources.
Since coal is abundant, it is definitely cheap to produce power using this
fuel. Moreover, it is not expensive to extract and mine from coal deposits.
Consequently, its price remains low compared to other fuel and energy
sources.

Negative Impacts:

1. Destruction of Landscapes and Habitats: Strip mining also known as

surface mining, involves the stripping away of earth and rocks to reach the
coal underneath. If a mountain happens to be standing in the way of a coal
seam within, it will be blasted or levelled - effectively leaving a scarred
landscape and disturbing ecosystems and wildlife habitat.This eventually
results in an imbalanced ecosystem and even the endangerment or
extinction of entire species
2. Deforestation and Erosion: As part of the process of clearing the way for a
coal mine, trees are cut down or burned, plants uprooted and the topsoil
scraped away. This results in the destruction of the land (it can no longer be
used for planting crops) and soil erosion. The loosened topsoil can be
washed down by rains and the sediments get into rivers, streams and
waterways. Downstream, they can kill the fish and plant life and block river
 channels which cause flooding
3. Contaminates GroundWater: The minerals from the disturbed earth can
seep into groundwater and contaminate waterways with chemicals that are
hazardous to our health. An example would be Acid Mine Drainage. Acidic
water can flow out of abandoned coal mines. Mining has xposed rocks which
contain the sulphur-bearing mineral, Pyrite. This mineral reacts to air and
water to form sulphuric acid. When it rains, the diluted acid gets into rivers
and streams and can even seep into underground sources of water
4. Chemical, Air & Dust Pollution:The problem is that huge amounts of earth
and rock are brought up from the bowels of the earth. These mining wastes
can become toxic when they are exposed to air and water. Examples of
toxins are mercury, arsenic, fluorine and selenium. The amount of dust
generated in mining operations can be carried to nearby towns by the wind.
These dust particles can cause all kinds of health problems for humans who
are exposed to it.
5. Methane in the Atmosphere:. Methane is less prevalent in the atmosphere
as compared to carbon dioxide, but it is 20 times more powerful as a
greenhouse gas.High levels of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is released
during the mining process, contributing to the destruction of the ozone layer.
6. Coal Fires: Fires from underground mines can burn for centuries! These fires
release smoke into the atmosphere - smoke which contains carbon dioxide
(CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NOx), sulphur
dioxide (SO2) and other toxic greenhouse gases.Possibly one of the scariest
environmental effects of coal mining is the threat of acid rain.If a fire occurs
in a coal bed, it can last for years or even decades, potentially spreading and
releasing noxious fumes into the surrounding community.
7. Health Hazards: Coal dust inhalation can cause black lung disease. Miners
and those who live in nearby towns are the most affected. Cardiopulmonary
disease, hypertension, COPD, and kidney disease are found at higher than
normal rates in people who live near coal mines.Coal dust, in addition to
being dirty and unpleasant smelling, is dangerous if inhaled over an
 extensive period of time. People with prolonged exposure to coal dust are at
high risk of contracting "Black lung disease," which left untreated can lead to
lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and heart failure.
8. Displacement of Communities: All of these negative effects force people to
move to other places as their air and water gets polluted and expanding coal
mines make use of more and more of their habitat.

Q2. What are the TORs to be considered for opencast coal mining ?

Open Cast Mining

• Deposit conditions
• Maximum allowable stripping ratio (ratio of overburden in m3 to mineral in
ton), thickness of topsoil and overburden (minimum, maximum and
average),
• Working depth (below ground level and Mean Sea Level)
• Mining Plan (Height and Width of the benches in overburden, ore body,
proposed inclination/slope of the sides),
• Surface plan showing mine working 5rd year, 10th year, 15th year, 20th
year,25th year, 30th year as per the approved mine plan.
• Type of blasting, drilling and explosives
• Detail of machineries (mining ,transportation, and material handling) with
production capacity
• Plan for backfilling of mine pit.
• Overburden dumps stability study and reclamation.
A. Standard TOR for an opencast coal mining project
1) An EIA-EMP Report shall be prepared for...... MTPA rated capacity in an
ML/project area of.....Ha based on the generic structure specified in
Appendix III of the EIA Notification, 2006.
2) An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for..... MTPA rated capacity to
cover the impacts and management plan for the project specific activities on
the environment of the region, and the environmental quality encompassing
air, water, land, biotic community, etc. through collection of data and
information, generation of data on impacts including prediction modeling
for..... MTPA of coal production based on approved project/Mining Plan
for.....MTPA. Baseline data collection can be for any season except monsoon.
3) A map specifying locations of the State, District and Project location
should be provided.
4) A Study area map of the core zone and 10 km area of the buffer zone
(1: 50,000 scale) clearly delineating the major topographical features such
as the land use, surface drainage pattern including
rivers/streams/nullahs/canals, locations of human habitations, major
constructions including railways, roads, pipelines, major industries/mines
and other polluting sources. In case of ecologically sensitive areas such as
Biosphere Reserves/National Parks/WL Sanctuaries/ Elephant Reserves,
forests (Reserved/Protected), migratory corridors of fauna, and areas where
endangered fauna and plants of medicinal and economic importance found
in the 15 km study area should be given.
5) Land use map (1: 50,000 scale) based on a recent satellite imagery of the
study area may also be provided with explanatory note on the land use.
6) Map showing the core zone delineating the agricultural land (irrigated and
non-irrigated, uncultivable land as defined in the revenue records, forest
areas (as per records), along with other physical features such as water
bodies, etc should be furnished.
7) A contour map showing the area drainage of the core zone and 25 km of
the study area (where the water courses of the core zone ultimately join the
major rivers/streams outside the lease/project area) should also be clearly
indicated in the separate map.
8) A detailed Site plan of the mine showing the proposed break-up of the
land for mining operations such as the quarry area, OB dumps, green belt,
safety zone, buildings, infrastructure, CHP, ETP, Stockyard, township/colony
(within and adjacent to the ML), undisturbed area -if any, and landscape
features such as existing roads, drains/natural water bodies to be left
undisturbed along with any natural drainage adjoining the lease /project
areas, and modification of thereof in terms of construction of
 embankments/bunds, proposed diversion/re-channelling of the water
courses, etc., approach roads, major haul roads, etc should be indicated.
9) In case of any proposed diversion of nallah/canal/river, the proposed
route of diversion /modification of drainage and their realignment,
construction of embankment etc. should also be shown on the map as per
the approval of Irrigation and flood control Department of the concerned
state.
10) Similarly if the project involves diversion of any road/railway line passing
through the ML/project area, the proposed route of diversion and its
realignment should be shown in the map.

11) Break up of lease/project area as per different land uses and their stage of
acquisition should be provided.

12) Break-up of lease/project area as per mining operations should be

provided.
13) Impact of changes in the land use due to the project, if much of the land
being acquired is predominantly agricultural land/forestland/grazing land.
14) One-season (non-monsoon) primary baseline data on environmental
quality - air (PM10, PM2.5, SOx, NOx and heavy metals such as Hg, Pb, Cr, As,
etc), noise, water (surface and groundwater), soil - along with one-season
met data coinciding with the same season for AAQ collection period should
be provided.
15) Map of the study area (1: 50, 000 scale) (core and buffer zone clearly
delineating the location of various sampling stations superimposed with
location of habitats, other industries/mines, polluting sources should be
provided. The number and location of the stations in both core and buffer
zones should be selected on the basis of size of lease/project area, the
proposed impacts in the downwind (air)/downstream (surface
water)/groundwater regime (based on flow). One station should be in the
upwind/upstream/non-impact/non-polluting area as a control station. The
monitoring should be as per CPCB guidelines and parameters for water
testing for both groundwater and surface water as per ISI standards and
CPCB classification wherever applicable. Values should be provided based
on desirable limits.
16) Study on the existing flora and fauna in the study area (10km) should be
carried out by an institution of relevant discipline. The list of flora and fauna
duly authenticated separately for the core and study area and a statement
clearly specifying whether the study area forms a part of the migratory
corridor of any endangered fauna should be given. If the study area has
endangered flora and fauna, or if the area is occasionally visited or used as a
habitat by Schedule-I fauna, or if the project falls within 15 km of an
ecologically sensitive area, or used as a migratory corridor then a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan should be prepared and submitted with
EIA-EMP Report; and comments from the CWLW of the State Govt. should
also be obtained and furnished.
17) Details of mineral reserves, geological status of the study area and the
seams to be worked, ultimate working depth and progressive stage-wise
working scheme until the end of mine life should be provided on the basis of
the approved rated capacity and calendar plans of production from the
approved Mining Plan. Geological maps and sections should be included.
The Progressive mine development and Conceptual Final Mine Closure Plan
should also be shown in figures.
18) Details of mining methods, technology, equipment to be used, etc.,
rationale for selection of specified technology and equipment proposed to
be used vis-à-vis the potential impacts should be provided.
19) Impact of mining on hydrology, modification of natural drainage,
diversion and channeling of the existing rivers/water courses flowing
through the ML and adjoining the lease/project and the impact on the
existing users and impacts of mining operations thereon.
20) Detailed water balance should be provided. The break-up of water
requirements for the various mine operations should be given separately.
21) Source of water for use in mine, sanction of the competent authority in
the State Govt. and impacts vis-à-vis the competing users should be given.
22) Impact of mining and water abstraction use in mine on the
hydrogeology and groundwater regime within the core zone and 10 km
buffer zone including long-term monitoring measures should be provided.
Details of rainwater harvesting and measures for recharge of groundwater
should be reflected in case there is a declining trend of groundwater
availability and/or if the area falls within dark/grey zone.
23) Impact of blasting, noise and vibrations should be given.
24) Impacts of mining on the AAQ and predictions based on modeling using
the ISCST-3 (Revised) or latest model should be provided.
25) Impacts of mineral transportation within the mining area and outside
the lease/project along with flow-chart indicating the specific areas
generating fugitive emissions should be provided. Impacts of transportation,
handling, and transfer of minerals and waste on air quality, generation of
effluents from workshop, management plan for maintenance of HEMM,
machinery, equipment should be given. Details of various facilities such as
rest areas and canteen for workers and effluents/pollution load emanating.
from these activities should also be provided.
26) Effort be made to reduce/eliminate road transport of coal inside and
outside mine and for mechanized loading of coal through CHP/ Silo entirely
wagons and into trucks/tippers.
27) Details of waste OB and topsoil generated as per the approved calendar
programme, and their management shown in figures as well explanatory
notes tables giving progressive development and mine closure plan, green
belt development, backfilling programme and conceptual post mining land
use should be given. OB dump heights and terracing based on slope stability
studies with a max of 28o angle as the ultimate slope should be given.
Sections of final dumps (both longitudinal and cross section) with relation to
the adjacent area should be shown.
28) Efforts be made for maximising progressive internal dumping of O.B.,
sequential mining, external dump on coal bearing area and later rehandling
into the mine void.--to reduce land degradation.
29) Impact of change in land use from mining operations and whether the
land can be restored to agriculture use post mining.

30) Progressive Green belt and ecological restoration /Afforestation plan

(both in text, figures and in the tabular form as per the format of MOEF&CC
given below) and selection of species (native) based on original survey/land
use should be given.

31) Conceptual Final Mine Closure Plan and post mining land use and
restoration of land/habitat to the status pre- mining should be provided. A
Plan for the ecological restoration of the mined out area and post mining
land use should be prepared with detailed cost provisions. Impact and
management of wastes and issues of rehandling (wherever applicable) and
backfilling and progressive mine closure and reclamation should be detailed.
32) Flow chart of water balance should be provided. Treatment of effluents
from workshop, township, domestic wastewater, mine water discharge, etc.
should be provided. Details of STP in the colony and ETP in mine should be
given. Recycling of water to the max. Possible extent should be accorded?
33) Occupational health issues. Baseline data on the health of the
population in the impact zone and measures for occupational health and
safety of the personnel and manpower in the mine should be given.
34) Risk Assessment and Disaster Preparedness and Management Plan
should be provided.
35) Integration of the Env. Management Plan with measures for minimising
use of natural resources - water, land, energy, etc. should be carried out.
 36) Cost of EMP (capital and recurring) should be included in the project
cost and for progressive and final mine closure plan.
37) Details of R&R. Detailed project specific R&R Plan with data on the
existing socioeconomic status of the population (including tribals, SC/ST, BPL
families) found in the study area and broad plan for resettlement of the
displaced population, site for the resettlement colony, alternate livelihood
concerns/employment for the displaced people, civic and housing amenities
being offered, etc and costs along with the schedule of the implementation
of the R&R Plan should be given.
38) CSR Plan along with details of villages and specific budgetary provisions
(capital and recurring) for specific activities over the life of the project should
be given.
39) Corporate Environment Responsibility: a) The Company must have a well
laid down Environment Policy approved by the Board of Directors. b) The
Environment Policy must prescribe for standard operating
process/procedures to bring into focus any
infringements/deviation/violation of the environmental or forest
norms/conditions. c) The hierarchical system or Administrative Order of the
company to deal with environmental issues and for ensuring compliance
with the environmental clearance conditions must be furnished. d) To have
proper checks and balances, the company should have a well laid down
system of reporting of non-compliances/violations of environmental norms
to the Board of Directors of the company and/or shareholders or
stakeholders at large.
40) Details on Public Hearing should cover the information relating to
notices issued in the newspaper, proceedings/minutes of public hearing, the
points raised by the general public and commitments made by the
proponent and the action proposed with budgets in a suitable time frame.
These details should be presented in a tabular form. If the Public Hearing is
in the regional language, an authenticated English Translation of the same
should be provided.
41) A built mechanism of self-monitoring of compliance of environmental
regulations should be indicated.
42) Status of any litigations/ court cases filed/pending on the project should
be provided.
43) Submission of sample test analysis of Characteristics of coal: This should
include details on grade of coal and other characteristics such as ash
content, S and heavy metals including levels of Hg, As, Pb, Cr etc.
44) Copy of clearances/approvals such as Forestry clearances, Mining Plan
Approval, mine closure plan approval. NOC from Flood and Irrigation Dept.
(if req.), etc. wherever applicable.

These above given points are to be mentioned and explained for the TOR of
Open cast mining projects such as the Parsa coal mining project.

Q3. What is the difference between opencast and

underground mining?

OPENCAST MINING UNDERGROUND MINING

1. Opencast mining can be done 1. Underground mining is

on the surface, such as mountain done by digging tunnels to
top, beaches. extract minerals that are too far
underground to be reached from
surface mining.
2. In opencast mining, the topsoil 2. In underground mining,
and bedrock are removed to access the bedrock is kept intact and
the ore and it's all done from the tunnels are used to access the
surface. ore from below.
3. Opencast mining is suitable for 3. Underground mining is
large, low-grade ore deposits which used for small, high-grade
occur below a thin layer of rock or deposits covered with a thick soil
sand. or rock above the ore.
4. Overburden dumps are 4. There are no damages to
required. The working conditions the surface environment or mine
 are safe for miners, there is no risk area The ground does not
of toxic gases or cave ins. Trucks require blasting with explosives
and mining machinery can move There is a higher production
around freely volume.Cost effective than
opencast mining

Open Cast Mining

Open cast mining involves removal of plant life, soil and potentially bedrock
to be able to access resource deposits. It is normally used for fairly shallow,
non-precious deposits.

Open cast mining involves digging out rocks to form an open pit or borrow
pit, from which resources are then extracted. An open cast mine generally
has stepped sides to minimize the risks associated with collapse and a large
ramp for mining equipment. Some kind of water management system is
generally necessary to keep an active mine from turning into a lake. Open
cast mines are typically worked until either the mineral deposit is depleted,
or various factors make the mine non profitable. When this occurs the open
cast mine is often modified to become a landfill for solid wastes.

Underground Mining

Relatively costly and frequently used to get to deeper deposits, underground

mining involves digging down into the earth and creating tunnels and shafts
that reach the deposits of resources. Ore and other resources can then be
brought up to the surface for processing, while waste rock can be removed
for disposal.

There are various types of underground mining that are categorized based
on the kind of shafts used, the technique of extraction and the process used
to get to a deposit. For instance, drift mining involves the use of horizontal
tunnels, while slope mining uses diagonal shafts to access deposits.The type
of underground mining technique used is typically based on the geology of
the area, especially the amount of ground support needed to make mining
safe.