EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE

“BLACK GRANITE MINING PROJECT”

S.F. No: 917 / Part, 921 / Part Extent 166.92 Ha.

AT MAHIMANDALAM

VILLAGE, KATPADI TALUK,

VELLORE DISTRICT,

STATE OF TAMIL NADU

(Under Sector 1(a) Category A – “Mining of Minerals – Open Cast Only” as per EIA notification Sep 2006 and its Amendments)

Proposed by

M/S. TAMILNADU MINERALS LIMITED

Report prepared by

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT HUBERT ENVIRO CARE SYSTEMS (P) LTD

CHENNAI

September 2016

PROJECT PROFILE Sl.No

Project Profile for Black Granite Quarry – Mahimandalam (Katpadi) – 166.92 Ha

1 Name of the Project Black Granite Mining Project – Mahimandalam 2 Proponent Name M/s. Tamilnadu Minerals Limited 3 Contact Address TAMILNADU MINE and MINERALS

LIMITED (An Undertaking of Government of Tamil Nadu) No. 31, Kamarajar salai Chepauk, P.B No. 2961, Chennai - 600 005 , TAMILNADU STATE. Phone Number : 044-28410382, 28511972 Email : tamin@tamingranites.com Contact Person : Mr. E. Ganesan

4 Implementing Organization TAMIN 5 Location Map Enclosed 6 Project Consultants HECS 7 Project Location Mahimandalam, Katpadi, Vellore, Tamilnadu

8 Survey Numbers S.F. No. 917/Part and 921/ Part

9 Area /Extent 166.92 Ha.

10 Village MAHIMANDALAM

11 Taluk Katpadi

12 District Vellore

13 State Tamilnadu

14 Production Capacity – Per Annum

1003 Cubic Meter

15 Production Capacity - 5 years 5006.48 Cubic meter

16 Over burden waste 161878 Cubic Meter

16 EIA Category “A “Above 50.00 Ha. (>50 Ha.)

17 Sl. No. In the Schedule 1 (a)

18 General Conditions Not Applicable

19 Specific Conditions. Not Applicable

20 Water Requirement 2.3 KLD

21 Power Requirement 1000 Lts of Diesel / Month

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22 Man Power Requirement 41

23 Project Cost in Rs. 100 Lakhs

24 Topography – SOI Survey of India Topo Sheet No. 570/4 & 8

25 Latitude - Northern 13°05’17.40”

26 Longitude – Eastern 79°13´9.50"

27 Terrain Undulating Terrain

28 Nearest Highway NH -4 – 6.0 km

29 Nearest Railway Junction Katpadi Railway Junction – 16.0 Km

30 Nearest Airport Chennai : 103.67 Km (E)

31 Nearest Water Bodies /River/Sea

Ponnayar–6 Km (SE)

32 Archeological Important Areas Vallimalai at the 10th km (S)

33 National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries

Mahimandalam R.F – 4.0 Km (SW)

34 Reserved Protected Forests Panapallumalai R.F – 1.5 km (N E)

35 Seismic zone Zone III

36 Defense Installations None.

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Location Map : Village: Mahimandalam, Taluk : Katpadi, District : Vellore, State : Tamilnadu

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Executive Summary for TAMIN Quarry at Mahimandalam for Black Granite

1.0: Introduction:

TAMIN was established in the year 1978 to carryout systematic mining and development

of different minerals all over the state. TAMIN mines different types of granites black

granite (Dolerite), Kashmir white (Leptynite), Paradiso (Mignatite gneiss), Green

Onyx (Syenite – Porphyry) , Red wave (Pink Feldspathic Leptinite) and a number of other

colored granite varieties apart from other industrial minerals viz. Quartz and feldspar,

graphite, limestone , silica sand , vermiculite etc.,

The mine at Mahimandalam Village, Katpadi Taluk, Vellore District , Tamil Nadu State

has mineral reserves of Black Granite (Dolerite) mine over an Extent of 166.92 Ha , S.F

No. 917 (Par) and 921 (Part) of Mahimandalam village, Katpadi Taluk, Vellore District,

Tami Nadu State.

TAMIN has also set up industrial units for processing the granite gneiss stones one each

at Manali (Chennai), Madhepalli at Krishnagiri District and Melur at Madurai District

respectively. A Benefaction plant for the graphite ore has been established close to

Sivaganga Graphite mine. An exfoliation plant for the processing of vermiculite mineral

at Ambattur (Chennai) has also been established.

TAMIN is the only organization recognized by Bureau of Indian Standard for

manufacture and supply of I.S. Sand all over the country.

1.1. EIA Category as per MoEF Guidelines 2006 and its amendments for Mining :

This proposed project requires clearance from MoEF & CC for this project under A

category of sector1 (a), since the mining lease is more than 50 Ha.

1.2. EIA consultant:

M/s. Hubert Enviro Care Systems – HECS, a NABET certified organization for Sector

1(a) is awarded the EIA compilation by Tender Rc. No. HECS/CONS/TEND/15-16/91,

dated 31-8-2015.

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1.3 Environmental Clearance Application at MoEF

M/s. Hubert Enviro-Care Systems Pvt., Ltd is entrusted to carry out an EIA study and

prepare the layout as per contract number at MoEF for EC: IA/TN/MIN/27398/2015 dated

13 April 2015. The online EC application for Black Granite is over an extent of 166.92 in Ha S.F. No. 917 (Part) and 921 (Part) was appraised at MoEF by Expert Appraisal

committee formed in their 33rd meeting post submission of EC application of Form 1, PFR

and RQP mine plan dated May 15th, 2015. The Project would be categorized as A and industry sector of 1 a. The terms of Reference for EIA was issued by MoEF letter No. J-

11013/41/2006-IA.II (1). An EIA is submitted as per TOR compliance. 1.4: Public Litigation

There are no litigations pending against the proposed project proponent or orders passed by

any court of law/any statutory authority against the project. 2.0 Project Description

TAMIN was established in the year 1978 to carryout systematic mining and development

of different minerals all over the state. The Mining Plan for Black Granite in Mahimandalam

(S.F. No. 917 (Part) and 921 (Part), Katpadi Taluk, Vellore District, Tamilnadu was

approved by the Directorate of Geology and Mining, Chennai vide dated 16.11.2001.

Land Use Category for S.F. No. 917 and 921 pertaining to 166.92 Ha. - Government

Poramboke Land

Location description of Project

District Taluk Village S.F. No. Area in Ha Occupancy

/ownership

Vellore,

Tamilnadu

Katpadi Mahimandalam 917 (Part)

and 921

(part)

166.92 Government

Poramboke

land

2.1 Background of Lease Granted and Extent of Mining: S.F. No. 917 and S.F. No. 921

at Mahimandalam Village, Walajah Taluk, Vellore District.

The Mahimandalam TAMIN Mines was issued a quarry license as per Government Order

No. 300, Industries Department 26-06-1991 for S.F. No. 917 and 921 over an extent of

373.36 Hectares. This location belongs to Mahimandalam Village, Walajah Taluk, Vellore

District for a period of 10 years.

A part of land pertaining to S.F. NO. 921 over an extent of 126.36 Ha. was surrendered G.O.

3 D No. 17, Industries Department on 3-03-1998. Government has accepted the surrender.

Mine plan approval for quarrying in remaining 247.0 Ha. through the D.C. Vellore for 20

years was applied, since the existing lease would expire on 22-11-2001. A working

extension license was issued from 23-11-2001 to 22-11-2002.

The lease area was further reduced by surrender of 80 Ha. (34.91 Ha in Sf. No. 917 and

45.16 Ha. in S.F. No. 921). The surrendered 80 Ha. land was considered as non-mineral

bearing land. The Commissioner of Geology and mining considered only 166.92 Hectares

as the subject area. The commissioner recommended only 166.92 Ha. in subject area for

according renewal of lease for a period of 20 years. The proponent’s lease area with all

mining safety applicable as per Mines act has been enclosed as Annexure 2A for grant

of License for 20 years.

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Figure 1 : TAMIN-S.F No. 921 and S.F . No. 917, Mahimandalam , Katpadi. The Mahimandalam mine is located at about 2 Kms North of Mahimandalam and is easil y

accessible through Ramapuram Periabodinathan road. The lease area generally manifests

undulating topography. 2.2 Geological Reserves

The area comprises of feldspathic granitic gneiss. The black granite found here is called

Dolerite A dark-coloured, medium-grained igneous rock which contains plagioclase

feldspar of labradorite composition and pyroxene of augite or titanaugite composition as

essential minerals, and magnetite, titano-magnetite, or ilmenite as accessory minerals.

Where olivine also occurs as an additional mineral, the rock is termed an "olivine

dolerite". Where quartz occurs as an additional mineral in the groundmass, the rock is

termed a "quartz dolerite". Dolerites are the medium-grained equivalents of basalts and,

like the basalts, can be divided into alkali and tholeiitic types. Dolerites are commonly

found in shallow level intrusions such as dykes, sills, or plugs.

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The material is in good demand because of its quality, shine and polishing effect. The

material found in this location is found along N 25⁰E to N25⁰ W dipping 70⁰ to 75⁰ North

westerly. Occurrences of garnetiferrous gneiss and pockets of Tremolite mica schist and

pink granite veins are seen. The majority of the dykes are trending in ENE-WSW

direction; some dykes are seen trending NE-SW and also N-W

Geological reserves , the total quantity of reserves have been computed on the geological

cross sections up to the economically average depth of 30m from the top surface of the

granite body works out to 86,14,200 cbm and the total mineable reserve have been

computed after deleting of reserves due to mineral lock up in benches as 84,13,125 cbm.

The commercially viable or saleable reserve is computed at 3 to 5% recovery, the

saleable reserve was about 2, 46,003 cbm. 2.3 Details of Exploration

The value of the mineral deposit, dyke deposit nature individual mining of dykes is

commercially viable. Conventional methods are not applicable since the production

nature; its commercial viability needs special blasting, boring, drilling, cutting and

dressing techniques for extraction of dimensional granite stones. The mining and

recovery of the granite stone is in the form of dimensional stones of definite volume and

rectangular stones and not crushed ore.

Blasting: The technique and quantity of explosives are different in industrial

mining and Granite Mining.

Only mild explosives are used such as gun-powder, detonating cord, ordinary

detonators will be used for production of granite blocks.

Conventional 32 mm dia blast holes are drilled perfectly parallel to each other at

20 to 25 cm intervals along the plane of splitting

Explosives required for this mine are obtained from the authorised licensed dealer

for which necessary permission will be obtained from the authority concerned.

Blasting will be done under direct supervision of statutory persons of TAMIN.

Open Cast Mining: In accordance with the Regulation 106 (2) of the Metalliferous

mines regulations 1961, in all open cast workings where the ore body forms hard rock,

the working faces and sides should be adequately benched and sloped. A bench height

not exceeding 6 m and a bench width not less than the height has to be maintained. The

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slope angle of such benches and sides should not exceed 60⁰ from the horizontal.

However it is practically difficult to maintain slope where dimensional granite of 3mx

2m x 2m. A relaxation to the provisions of Regulation 106 (2) up to a bench parameter

vertical of 10m height and 3 m width with vertical faces. Since the sheet is stable no

backfilling is proposed.

Open cast, semi-mechanized mining with stages of splitting of rock mass, and separation

of two vertical ends along the width slide by diamond wire cutting. Separation of the

horizontal and vertical planes by serial blasting simultaneously along the above two plans

by using 32 mm dia blast holes charged with mild explosives like gunpowder or

detonating cord. The above process is called Primary Cutting. The secondary splitting to

size required size involves long hole drilling up to the bottom of the separated block and

mild blasting along the required planes. Secondary splitting is done by using the

compressed air available at the quarry, initially widening and splitting up to 15 to 18 cm.

The blocks are toppled and removed from the pit to the dressing yard by using hydraulic

excavators. Dressing is a manual process and is supervised by a mining geologist.

2.4 Mineral Reserve, Life of Mine

The reserve of the current mine is sustainable for 20 years. There is a 5 year mineable

reserve calculated for exploration. The aim is sustainable development of black granite,

dimensional stone in this mine during the next five years. a) Removals of overburden

b) Side burdens removal to expose sheet rock.

Table 2.1: 5 years Production plan by RQP

Sl.

No

Year ROM in M3 Saleable

Quantity in M3

Granite rejects-overburden

and side burden in M3

1 1st 33435.000 1003 32431.95

2 2nd 33300.750 999.00 32301.73

3 3rd 33419.250 1002.58 32416.67

4 4th 33321.315 999.64 32321.62

5 5th 33408.75 1002.26 32406.49

Total 166885.06 5006.48 161878

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2.5 Proposed rate of Production:

The production schedule for five years is given above. Pits are 1000 mt long, 20 x 70 m

wide and 10 to 20 m deep. The above reserve is sustainable for 20 years. The overseas

market for this variety of raw granite material is moderate and hence the domestic market

has been well developed for the finished tiles, slabs and monuments of this material.

The annual production of around 1003 Cbm with an average monthly production of 83

Cbm. 2.6 Extent of Mechanization:

1 Hydraulic Excavator 1 No

2 Compressor 2 Nos

3 Crane 10-Ton Escort 1 No

4 Tipper 1 No

5 Jack Hammer 4 Nos

6 Diamond Wire Saw machine with accessories 1 No 2.7 Waste Generated during the process of Mining: Overburden and granite rejects

The granite rejects per year amount to 32,431.95 Cubic Meter. The waste is managed by

dumping along the mine boundaries. The dumping is done along the Northern flanks of

the hillock. The waste can be dumped for an height of 10 m with slope of 60 degree from

horizontal. The waste generated during the exploitation of minerals in the mine in the

past working was about 58980 cbm. The lease hold area purchased for dumping is

sufficient for the mining target set for production. The RQP working plans and surface

layout maps indicate the waste dump areas in EIA.

Sl.

No

Year Granite rejects-overburden and side burden in M3

1 1st 32431.95

2 2nd 32301.73

3 3rd 32416.67

4 4th 32321.62

5 5th 32406.49

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2.8 Water Consumption

Table 2.4: Water Consumption :

Sl.

No Description Quantity KLD

1 Dust Suppression 0.9

2 Drinking water 1.4

Total 2.3

150 KL/ Month for Diamond wire cutting

2.9 Fuel Requirement:

Diesel will be utilized for operating compressors and other machineries. Diesel usage

will be 1000 litres/month.

2.10 Mine Drainage:

Mine area is an elevated ground and natural slope runs water to the slope of the dykes.

And it has a natural gradient exists for rain water. As a precaution catch drains are

constructed all around the working pit to ensure workers safety. 2.11 Transport of Material:

Loading of Granite Blocks of 3m x 2m x 2m is done via trucks and private transporters.

TAMIN has excavators and tippers for internal transport of block granite. Block lifting is

carried out with the same excavators.

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3.0 Description of Environment 3.1: The mine area comprises of rocky undulating terrain with very few vegetation in the core

area. Grass growth is seen all along the mine areas post monsoon. Mahimandalam

village areas and the link roads are agricultural. Paddy, peanut, lentils are the predominant

vegetation seen around the mining area in the village limits. Agriculture is dependent on

ground water through bores and open wells. The river (Ponnaiyar) seen at the 6 km

supports vegetation along its boundaries. The other mountains near the mine site are

Vallimalai (10 Km), which is another range of mountains. This is a historical and

religious place for the Hindus.

The lease area is hilly terrain. The area received moderate rainfall and the ground water

occurs at a depth of 15m to 30m.

TAMIN has been established for exploration and processing of granite dimensional.

The Mahimandalam quarry has identified black granite quarry located in Survey

Numbers 917(Part) and 921 (Part) of Mahimandalam village, Katpadi Taluk, Vellore

District. The Mineral resource is valuable material of the state and is commercially

exploited for domestic and international sales for its aesthetic appearance and ornamental

value.

The land use classification for the said land is Poramboke Land as per Government

Records.

3.2: The Environmental factors like Land, Air, Water and Soil were studied for Impact

Analysis.

Land Environment: Mahimandalam is a part of Vellore District and description of

Vellore would be an upcoming Urban city with a growth in industrial activity EIA studies

the impact of the mining quarry on Soil, air, water and noise parameters. For this study

sampling location were:

Sl. No EIA Monitoring Locations of Samples Description in table below

1 Mahimandalam Mine Location Core

2 500m downwind of mine 500m

3 5 Km – Serkadu Koot Road 5th km

4 7 km – Vallimalai 7 th km

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3.3 Soil quality at the tested locations : The soil sampled ranged in color from brown to

reddish brown The sand content in % ranges from 60-70%, silt ranges from 10 to 27% ,

clay ranges from 5 to 20%. Moisture content ranges from 0.22 to 5.44 % . Water

holding capacity ranges from 31.36 to 55.09 %. Nitrogen ranges from 0.02 to 0.11%.

Phosphorus ranges from 0.02 to 0.08%. Iron ranges from /kg 6600 to 48400 mg and

Zinc ranges from 24.37 to 58.28 mg/kg. 3.4 Micrometeorology and Air Environment: The predominant wind direction is towards

North North East (NNE) during the North East monsoon season and towards South South

West (SSW) during the South west monsoon. The temperature ranges from 20.4 ⁰ C in

winter to 38 ⁰ C in Summer. Relative humidity ranges from 40-80%. Rainfall ranges from

900 – 1000 mm in a year during the South West Monsoon and North East

Monsoon.

Air Environment at mining location: The air quality at the mining location is well within

the pollution control standards for mining industry. The methodology of mining by

TAMIN follows GCDR (Granite Conservation and Development Rules, 1999) for Black

Granite mining. The approved mine plan has a copy of the Certificate for this mine.

The annual targets are conservative and blasting is mild because of the quality of rock

required. An indicator to air pollution is the particulate matter results for mines.

At TAMIN, Katpadi site the PM10 ranges from 51.2 to 53.5 µ g/Cu.m. The particulate

matter 2.5 indicates the fugitive dust and emissions which are less than 2.5 microgram.

These particles when inhaled can injure the upper respiratory tract and eyes on contact.

PM 2.5 is important for OHS specialists and doctors to suggest mitigate short and long

term hazards. The PM 2.5 results are well within permissible limits at this site.

Mahimandalam. 3.5 Water Environment: The study area was sampled at 4 different locations. Water is

collected from bore well at most locations. They are within permissible limits for

potable water at campsite where labour use the water for process. The other samples are

from borewells at 500m, 5 km and 10 km.

Water Source for Mining Site: Bore well. Water levels range from 50 -100 ft within a 5

km range from site.

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The quality of water was tested for standard parameters. The water pH ranges from 8.4

to 8.64 which indicate that the water could be mildly alkaline. Total Dissolved Solids

range from 496 - 1200 mg/l, Alkalinity as CaCO3 ranges from 210 to 520 mg/l,

Hardness ranges from 110 – 550 mg/l as CaCO3, Calcium ranges from 25.6 to 164 mg/l,

Mg ranges from 33.6 to 67.2 mg/l, Chloride ranges from 7.8 to 192.4 mg/l, Bicarbonate

ranges from 256 to 414.8 mg/l and Fluoride from 0.6to 0.9 mg/l. 3.6 Noise Environment:

Mining as an activity increases base level noise and background noise levels. Vibration

from this industry also affects workers, labour, staff, flora and fauna. The noise levels

close to drilling equipment, compressors could increase during operation only. Baseline

values would vary in the city from 40 – 70 db depending on the area of monitoring.

The project area of the mine in process is 166.92 hectares. The zone does not have any

imminent danger to the habitation since the core mining zone is located at a safe distance

of 2 km from habitation. 3.7 Study of Flora and Fauna:

The study area is predominantly mountains and flat plains which have a mix of dry

deciduous vegetation. Arid to semi arid climate with low water tables.

The river source is Palar and Ponnayar which is dependent on monsoon. After 40 years

in 2015 the river had a good monsoon and water was seen in their rivers post Dec 2015

Chennai floods. Vallimalai, a heritage temple and mountain has several endemic,

medicinal plants of ayurvedic value. The core area has only grasses which have a

profuse growth post monsoon, the flat plains have agricultural, commercial crops around

the study area.

Commercial Crops: Paddy, Lentil, Peanut, Jowar are the common crops.

Table 3.12 : Commercial crop

Sl . No Commercial Crops/common name Scientific Name 1 Paddy - Rice Oryza sativa 2 Lentil - Thuvaram Parpu - Black

gram Pharsalus mungo

4 Groundnut Arachis hypogeal 5 Ragi Eleusine coracane

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6 Jowar Sorghum vulgare 7 Turmeric Curcuma longa 8 Ginger Zingiber officinate 9 Maize Zea Maize

3.8 Human Settlement: A few villages are located within a vicinity of 5 km from the mine

site. The villages are Ammavaripalli at 3.0 km SW, Mahimandalam 2 Km (SE),

Perumalkuppam 2 Km (NE) and Vallimalai 7 km (NE).

Socio economic Profile

District Profile: The district is bound on the Northeast by Tiruvallur District, on the

southeast by Kanchipuram District, on the South by Tiruvannamalai District, on the

southwest by Krishnagiri District, and on the northwest and north by Andhra

Pradesh state. The area of the district is 6,075 sq,km. Vellore district consists of 3

Revenue Divisions, 9 Taluks, 20 Community Development Blocks, One Municipal

Corporation, 13 Municipalities, 22 Town Panchayats and 36 Census Towns. The total

number of Revenue Villages in the district is 858. 3.9 Public Building, Important Monuments and place of worship; There is no public building.

Mahimandalam a fort is seen on a hillock at the 4 km. 3.10 Water Source Bore Well, Applicable Cess water Act 1974.

3.11 Reserve Forests: Mahimandalam R.F 4.0 km (S.W)

Panapallumalai: R.F 1.5 km (NE)

3.12 Green Belt Provisions: Green belt provisions can be implemented in backfilled areas and

also for slope stabilization. Green belt would improve the drainage patterns and provide

some respite from the hot summer.

Year

No of trees proposed to

be planted

Survival rate

expected

No of trees expected to

be grown

1st 100 80% 80

2nd 100 80% 80

3rd 100 80% 80

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17

4th 100 80% 80

5th 100 80% 80

4.0 Anticipated impacts (Positive and negative) of mining of minor mineral

and mitigation measures The chapter discusses the important environmental impacts of mining, impacts of the

Mahimandalam Katpadi mine and Mitigation Measures.

Sl. No

Activity Impacts Defined as Negative and Positive

Mitigation Measures in place for this mining site

1 Mining Mining only of approved Quantity on licensed land

Change of Land use

Disturbance to existing hydro- geology reserve

The Mining Quantity is verified, audited and royalty paid as per bill of quantity.

Restoration of Land with overburden and compaction. Reforestation of slopes for stabilization

Increasing the water catchment and storage at end of mine life with stabilized slopes

Redevelopment plan will include green belts. EMP for preventing long term impacts to

Nature. Environmental audits to control EHS /OHS

implementation 2 Developme

nt of mineral reserve by State and TAMIN. (Marketin) g

Positive impact on commercial use of Dolerite in Infrastructure, commercial sale.

Legal mining as per Mine Rules. Mining as per Government Conservation and

Development Rules Implementing Safety Rules for sustainable

development

3 Blasting Negative impact only on mining area. .

Signboards for blasting time. Controlled access of site with security. Display of approved blasters license at site. Diamond wire cutting to prevent loss of

Granite. 4 Effect on

Air Quality

Increase in Particulate Matter during granite cutting, sizing and dressing.

Sprinklers on site. Control of dust with Personal Protective

equipment. Environmental Monitoring as per EMP

provisions in EIA Baseline , compare and mitigate air pollution

with less polluting technology for mining 5 Water for Minor mineral Bore well source extraction is notified.

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Process extraction uses 2.3 KLD water and Diamond wire cutting requires 150 KL per month water. Source is bore well

Quality of water is safe for use. Construction of Water Recharge Pits

recommended in EMP of EIA Construction of septic tank for workers and

staff Recycle water used for dust control post

sedimentation in green belt. 6 Effect on

soil

Unhygenic practices leading to soil pollution.

Construction of drains from wash areas Construction of toilets with septic tank

7 Noise and

Vibration

Process of mining and proximity to machinery determines the impact

Personnel protective equipment Acoustic enclosures. EHS audits Monitoring

8 Safety Accidents Emergencies

Ensuring display of hazard sign Display of explosive use timing and blasting

only by licensee. Review of site safety with EHS officer. Audit report.

9 Re-

forestation.

Increase green cover Green belt increases green cover Reduction of Noise and vibration Slope stabilization Reduces dust and CO2. EMP schedule.

10 Forest

Areas

Scrub vegetation predominates the area. Arid climate supports xerophytic vegetation Vallimalai has a unique vegetation.

No impacts on the forest area Sound and vibration could be controlled with

phased blasting and cutting. Only licensed area and sustainable production

targets as per Mining GO,

5.0: Environmental Monitoring:

The good practice of employing conservative methods of mining ensures that there is

least impact on the surroundings and also ensures that the reserves are not exhausted and

can be available for a longer period of time for developmental activities.

Monitoring of air, water, noise and soil is done to ensure quality of the project site does

not deteriorate and even if it does mitigation measures are implemented by TAMIN.

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Environmental monitoring during operation is relevant to mining sites. Most staff and

labour are the first exponents. It is important to record air quality to educate and train the

labour and staff for the following:

Using masks

Personnel protective equipment purchase and issue.

Suggesting better technology.

EHS/OHS environmental audits

Increasing green belt in buffer and safe zones for plantation

Suggesting clean development mechanisms

In built machines and filters to reduce dust.

S. No

Area of Monitoring

Number of Sampling Stations

Frequently of Sampling

Parameters to be Analyzed

1. Ambient Air Quality

4 locations at site

Monthly PM 10, PM 2.5, SO2 and NOx , CO2 , O3

2.

Water Quality

4 ground water samples at site

Monthly

pH, Temp, Conductivity, TSS, TDS, BOD, O&G Heavy metals

3.

Soil

4 locations at site

Monthly

Physicochemical properties, Nutrients, Heavy metals

4.

Noise 4 Locations at site

Monthly

Day & night 6.0 Benefits to Society from TAMIN Mahimandalam.

There have been no litigations against the proponent.

A corporate environmental policy and corporate social policy provides

indirect job opportunities and economic stability.

Solar lighting will be provided in nearby villages.

Employee contributions towards improvement of facilities. 7.0 Risks and Hazard Analysis.

Factors of risk in Mining:

Access of mining site by unauthorized people

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Access of mining site by cattle and livestock.

Blasting

Noise Pollution.

Air Pollution because of unethical practices.

TAMIN Mines: Risk Analysis and Hazard Analysis

TAMIN Mines are access controlled with security by day and night

Operated by approved Quarry licenses only

Legally authorized professionals for blasting

Require environmental monitoring and audit post environmental clearance.

Environmental monitoring of the site is enclosed in EIA.

8.0 Project Benefits

The black granite generated here attracts international buyers for quality of stone manufactured. It has commercial value. The stones are marketed in China, US, UK and Japan

There is a research oriented conservatory exploitation of natural resources. Socially there is an indirect employment potential. TAMIN has improved clean development mechanisms and investment in better mining

technology for reducing impacts on environment. The Project costs 1 crore, the investment on machinery is 50 Lakhs, and the investment

on manpower is 25 Lakhs. 9.0 Environmental Management Plan.

The Environmental management plan addresses key issues for the current mining site. Suggestions and recommendations of the following mitigative measures are recorded. The existing site has recorded a tree plantation scheme for slope stabilization and green belt for 5 year. Suggestions for construction of toilets, septic tank, water recharge pits and increasing the green cover.

Table 9.1: Environmental Management Plan

Sl. No. Description Cost in Rupees

1 Septic Tank for 30 labor 4,00,000

2 Environmental Monitoring 8,49,600

3 CSR Budget 2,50,000

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21

4 EHS/OHS Medical Tests (6

Month)

30,000

Total 15,29,600

10.0 Summary and Conclusion:

TAMIN’s Mining site at Katpadi, Mahimandalam with an area of 166.92 Ha at Survey number S.F. NO. 917 parts and 921 part is a sustainable mining operation. The TAMIN production targets are conservative and follow the government mining rules.

Black granite, Dolerite is mined at this location and marketed to international and domestic markets. The production target is 1003 cbm per annum. The reserves are available for 20 years.

Environmental Monitoring for operational phase and Environmental Management Plan are recorded in Environmental Impact Analysis plans for implementation. A baseline of environmental monitoring is essential to understand the impact of industrialization on a study area over a period of time. Expert interventions and mitigation measures should be implemented after a 6-month audit of the mining site for EHS, OHS and site specific recommendations. PCB, Consultant a project proponent reviews a copy of compliance for preventing pollution.

11. Consultant Disclosure:

Mining EIA Coordinator – Sector Approval

HECS NABET/ SR No. 76 VALIDITY 2014-2017 Sector 1 (a) - Mining Category A EIA Coordinator Vivek P Navare (RQP approved for 1 (a) ) HECS 1 (a) approved sector

NABL Certificate

HECS NABL Accreditation Standard ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Field Chemical & Biological Technical Director Dr. Rajkumar Environmental Monitoring Air, Water, Noise, Soil