PRE-FEASIBILITY REPORT (Structure based on MOEF’s circular J-11013/41/2006-IA.II(I) dated 30.12.2010)

FOR

VAVARDA LIMESTONE MINING LEASE AREA

(3.4196 Ha.) of NIRMA LIMITED

LOCATED AT

SURVEY NO.: 57P

R.O.M.- 45,000 TONNES PER ANNUM OPEN CAST,

SEMI-MECHANISED MINING METHOD

APRIL, 2018

M/s NIRMA LIMITED, NIRMA HOUSE, ASHRAM ROAD-AHMEDABAD -380 009

GUJARAT

ContentsList of Figures ............................................................................................................................................................... iv

List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................................. iv

1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................... 1

2.INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT/BACKGROUND INFORMATION .................................................. 2

2.1Identification of Project ................................................................................................................................. 2

2.2Identification of Project Proponent .......................................................................................................... 3

2.3Brief Description of Nature of the Project .............................................................................................. 3

2.4Need for the Project and Its Importance to the Country or Region ............................................. 4

2.5Demand-Supply Gap ........................................................................................................................................ 4

2.6Imports Vs. Indigenous Production .......................................................................................................... 5

2.7Export Possibility ............................................................................................................................................. 5

2.8Domestic/Export Markets ............................................................................................................................ 5

2.9Employment Generation................................................................................................................................ 5

3.PROJECT DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................................................ 6

3.1Type of Project Including Interlinked and Interdependent Projects, If Any ............................ 6

3.2Location ............................................................................................................................................................... 6

3.3Details of Alternate Sites .............................................................................................................................. 9

3.4Size or Magnitude of Operation .................................................................................................................. 9

3.5Project Description with Process Details................................................................................................ 9

Transport of Explosives ............................................................................................................................ 12

3.6Raw Material Required Along With Estimated Quantity, Likely Source, Marketing Area of

Final Product/S, Mode of Transport of Raw Material and Finished Product ............................... 13

3.7Resource Optimization/ Recycling And Reuse ................................................................................... 13

3.8Availability of Water Its Source, Energy / Power Requirement And Source ......................... 13

3.8.1Water Requirement ........................................................................................................................ 13

3.8.2Power ...................................................................................................................................................... 13

3.9Quantity of Wastes to be Generated (Liquid And Solid) And Scheme For Their

Management/ Disposal....................................................................................................................................... 13

3.9.1Solid Waste Generation & its Disposal ..................................................................................... 13

3.9.2Liquid Effluent ..................................................................................................................................... 14

There will be no waste water generation from Mining activities. However, a small

amount of domestic wastewater generation will happen as a result of water used by

humans, which will be disposed in soak pits.................................................................................... 14

3.10Schematic Representations of the Feasibility Drawing Which Give Information of EIA

Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14

4.1Connectivity ..................................................................................................................................................... 15

4.2Landform, Land-use And Land Ownership .......................................................................................... 15

4.3Topography ....................................................................................................................................................... 15

4.4Existing Land Use Pattern ........................................................................................................................... 16

4.5Existing Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................. 16

4.6Soil Classification ............................................................................................................................................ 16

4.7Climatic Data from Secondary Sources .................................................................................................. 16

Long Term Meteorology ......................................................................................................................................... 16

4.8Social Infrastructure ...................................................................................................................................... 18

5.PLANNING BRIEF ................................................................................................................................................... 18

5.1Planning Concept ............................................................................................................................................ 18

5.2Population Projection ................................................................................................................................... 18

5.3Amenities/Facilities ...................................................................................................................................... 18

6.PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE ........................................................................................................................ 19

6.1Industrial Area (Processing Area) ........................................................................................................... 19

6.2Residential Area (Non Processing Area) ............................................................................................... 19

6.3Green Belt .......................................................................................................................................................... 19

6.4Social Infrastructure ...................................................................................................................................... 20

6.5Connectivity ...................................................................................................................................................... 20

6.6Drinking Water Management .................................................................................................................... 20

6.7Sewerage System ............................................................................................................................................ 20

6.8Industrial Waste Management .................................................................................................................. 20

6.9Solid Waste Management ............................................................................................................................ 21

6.10Power Requirement & Supply/ Source ............................................................................................... 21

7.REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT (R&R) PLAN ......................................................................... 21

8.PROJECT SCHEDULE & COST ESTIMATES ................................................................................................... 21

8.1Likely Date Of Start Of Construction And Likely Date Of Completion ...................................... 21

8.2Estimated Project Cost Along With Analysis In Terms Of Economic Viability Of The

Project ........................................................................................................................................................................ 21

9.ANALYSIS OF PROPOSAL (Final Recommendations) ............................................................................. 21

List of Figures

Figure 1: Project Location Map ................................................................................................................................... 8

Figure 2: Environmental Sensitivity Map ............................................................................................................... 8

Figure 3: Operations in Limestone Mining........................................................................................................... 10

Figure 4: Schematic Representation of EIA Process ........................................................................................ 14

List of Tables

Table 1: Regulatory Compliance ................................................................................................................................ 1

Table 2: Employment Generation (direct) ............................................................................................................. 5

Table 3: Coordinates of the Mine Site ...................................................................................................................... 6

Table 4: Geological and Mineable Reserves (million tonnes) ........................................................................ 9

Table 5: Blasting Parameters ..................................................................................................................................... 11

Table 6: Land-use Pattern of Mine Site .................................................................................................................. 16

Table 7: Predominant Month Wise Wind Directions ....................................................................................... 17

Table 8:Green Belt Details .......................................................................................................................................... 19

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

M/s. Nirma Limited, has proposed project of Fulka Limestone Mining Lease Area for proposed

capacity of 45,000 TPA of limestone from an area of 3.4196 Ha at survey no. 57(P), Village-

Fulka, Taluka-Gir-Gadhada, District Gir-Somnath, State-Gujarat.

As per the Gazette Notification dated 14th September 2006 and its subsequent amendments

later, the proposed project has been classified as Category “B1”.

The mine lease area of the project is classified as Government waste land. The lease area

does not involve any forest area. The topography of the area is located in plain area and

reported to 20°52'0.52"N Latitude and 70°55'51.20"E Longitude. The general elevation of the

lease area varies from 67-43 m above MSL The mine working will be semi mechanized

opencast method involving drilling and blasting. Only manual sizing will be done. The peak

water requirement for the project is estimated as 2.0 KLD, which shall be met from

purchase.

The life of mine is 7 yrs. The mineable reserves are estimated to be 3,30,862 tons which will be

catering for 7 years of life with the production of 45,000 tons per annum, therefore the

conceptual mining plan prepared upto the life of the mine. It is estimated that 15% of

undersized limestone will be generated, which will be stacked out of mined out pit. There will

be no external overburden dump.

The capital cost of the project is Rs. 25.0 Lakh and the annual recurring cost for the

environment protection measures is proposed as Rs. 6.0 Lakh including pollution control

and monitoring.

Table 1: Regulatory Compliance

Documents Approval Date Valid Up-to Letter Number

Original Lease Deed 20.04.2001 29.07.2051 By Government of Gujarat vide letter

no.-MCR/1598-1856-CHH.

Mining Plan 25.01.2001 2003-2004 By RCoM, IBM, Udaipur, vide letter no.

682(23)(88)/2000-MCCM (N) UDP.

Modified Mining

Plan with

Progressive mine

closure plan

30.09.09 --- Under Rule 10 and rule 23(B) of

MCDR 1988 by Regional Controller of

Mines, IBM, Udaipur vide letter no.

682(23)(680)/2009-MCCM(N)UDP.

Scheme of Mining 14.10.2014 2015-2016 Under Rule 12(3) and 23(B) of

and progressive

mine closure plan

MCDR,1988

Mining plan with

progressive mine

closure plan

17.11.2016 2020-2021 Under Rule 10 and rule 23(B) of

MCDR 1988 by Regional Controller of

Mines, IBM, Udaipur vide letter no.

682(23)(680)/2009-MCCM(N)UDP.

2. INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT/BACKGROUND INFORMATION

2.1 Identification of Project

The project proposal is for Environmental Clearance of existing Fulka Limestone Mining Lease

Area for extraction of limestone for 45,000 TPA. The mine lease area of 3.4196 Ha. is a

Government waste land which is located at survey no. 57P, Village-Fulka, Taluka- Gir-Gadhala,

District-Gir-Somnath, State- Gujarat. As per EIA notification 2006 and its subsequent

amendments later, the project activity has been categorized as “Category-B1”.

Mine lease was sanctioned in favor of M/s. Nirma Limited, vide Govt. of Gujarat order no. MCR-

1598-1856-CHH, dated: 20.04.2001. The mining lease was executed for 30 years with effect

from 30.07.2001 up to 30.07.2031. The State Govt. has revived the aforesaid lease vide govt.

order no.MCR-1105-2081-CHH.1. dated 17.02.2009. The lessee had applied for its renewal on

24.07.2000 and the application was under process with the State Government. Meanwhile the

Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulations) Amendment Ordinance-2015 came into effect

on 12.01.2015 and as per Section 8A (5) of it, the period of Mining lease be deemed to have been

extended up-to the period of 50 years from the date of grant i.e. up to 30.07.2053.

The modified mining plan with progressive mine closure plan was approved under rule 10 &

rule 23(B) of MCDR 1988 by Regional Controller of Mines, IBM, Udaipur vide their letter no.

682(23) (680)/2009-MCCM(N) UDP. Dated 17.11.2016.

2.2 Identification of Project Proponent

M/s Nirma Ltd. (a Public Limited Company) is having its registered office at “Nirma House” on

Ashram Road, Ahmedabad- 380009, Gujarat. Nirma Ltd. is one of the leading soda ash producing

company in India.

Nirma Ltd. is a part of the Nirma Group engaged in the business of consumer products like Soap,

Detergent, Industrial products like Sulphuric acid, Oleum, Distilled Fatty acids, Linear Alkyl

Benzene, Soda ash (Light & Dense), Salt, Caustic Soda and Pharmaceuticals etc. This Group came

in existence in the year 1980 and since then continuously expanding its wings for increase in

production capacities and diversification. It has overall about 15000+ employee base and

annual turnover of around Rs. 7000 crores.

Production facilities of the Nirma group at its various units are given in Table 2.

TABLE 2 : PRODUCTION FACILITIES OF NIRMA GROUP IN GUJARAT

Sr.

No.

Location District State Products Manufactured

1. Kalatalav Bhavnagar Gujarat Soda Ash, Detergent Powder & Cake,

Toilet Soap, Edible Salt, solar salt &

Caustic Soda etc.

2. Alindra Baroda Gujarat Linear Alkyl Benzene, Detergent Powder

& Cake etc.

3. Mandali Mehsana Gujarat Oleum, Sulphuric Acid, Fatty Acids, Alpha

Olefin Sulphonate, Glycerin, Toilet Soap,

Detergent Powder & Cake etc.

4. Moraiya Ahmedabad Gujarat Detergent Powder & Cake, Single Super

Phosphate, Packaging materials etc.

5 Porbandar Porbandar Gujarat Soda Ash

6. Nimbol Pali Rajasthan Clinker, Cement & Power

2.3 Brief Description of Nature of the Project

Fulka Limestone Mine is an existing mine; hence it does not require to clear vegetation or any

building in mine lease area. Project does not require any clearance under The Forest

(Conservation) Act, 1980 or The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as neither any National Park,

Elephant Corridor, Wildlife Sanctuary etc. nor any forest land exists within ML area.

The project has been proposed for extraction of chemical grade limestone by opencast semi-

mechanized mining method with drilling and blasting. There is no overburden in the area.

Mining in general is carried out by manual open cast method by forming benches up to 2.0 to 3.0

m height with the help of drill machine & jack hammer with Air Compressor. The blasting will

be done with slurry gel cartridge explosives as base charge. Sizing & Loading of limestone will

be done manually. The operation process will involve development, wining of ore and loading of

mineral in to the tippers for transportation to lessee’s Soda Ash Plant for Captive use.

There will be no waste generation at this mine, no backfilling is feasible. Hence, the mined out

area shall be used for rainwater storage.

2.4 Need for the Project and Its Importance to the Country or Region

Limestone is very important industrial mineral and is the principal raw material for the

production of soda ash and clinker for cement etc. The entire limestone production from Fulka

Limestone mine is proposed to be sent to M/s Nirma Limited’s Soda Ash manufacturing unit at

Bhavnagar. Extracted limestone will not be sold to any other party. The Soda Ash based

limestone mining industry contributes significantly to the State Gross Domestic Product and

provides direct and indirect employment to nearby laborers.

The products of M/s Nirma Limited’s Soda Ash Plant, Bhavnagar, especially soda ash, area vital

input for a number of basic industries such as glass, pulp & paper, chemicals and detergents

besides others. Consequently, this project aims at keeping many of the key industries within the

country well supplied with an essential raw material.

2.5 Demand-Supply Gap

The capacity of the Soda ash plant of 0.73 Million Tonnes per year, the requirement of chemical

grade limestone is about 1.46 Million Tonnes/Year. Only part of the requirement i.e. 45,000

Tonnes is proposed to be met from this mine.

At present, the company’s annual requirement for chemical grade limestone is about 1.46

million tones (Sized), part of which are sourced from captive mines and the balance from

domestic and overseas merchants. The gap between the annual demand and the quantity of

sized limestone received from captive mines is substantial and thus the company intends to

bridge this gap by winning limestone from the proposed project.

The need for mining of the chemical grade limestone from the project (mine lease area) has

arisen to meet the current situation of demand supply gap faced by company.

2.6 Imports Vs. Indigenous Production

Importing limestone is more expensive than indigenous production. Therefore, indigenously

produced limestone is preferred by consumers.

2.7 Export Possibility

The entire production of limestone will be used by Soda Ash plant of M/s Nirma Limited located

at Bhavnagar. No part of the product is proposed to be exported.

2.8 Domestic/Export Markets

The proposed mining activity is for obtaining limestone for indigenous consumption in

manufacture of soda ash in M/s Nirma Ltd. at Bhavnagar

2.9 Employment Generation

About 22 personnel will get direct employment from this mine. The manpower will be mostly

skilled, semi-skilled and un-skilled.

Table 2: Employment Generation (direct)

S. No. Designation Number

1. Mine manager 01

2. Mining Engineer 01

3. Geologist 01

4. Mining foreman 01

5. Mining mate 01

6. Blaster 01

7. Skilled 02

8. Semi-skilled 02

9. Un-skilled worker 12

Total 22

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

3.1 Type of Project Including Interlinked and Interdependent Projects, If Any

The proposed project is a captive limestone mine for lessee’s soda ash plant located at

Bhavnagar. It does not have any interlinked project.

3.2 Location

Fulka Limestone mine lease, measuring 3.4196 Ha., is a captive mine of Junagadh, and is in

survey no. 57 P, Village: Fulka, Taluka: Gir-Gadhala, District: Gir-Somnath, State: Gujarat.

Coordinates of the mine lease are given below in Table-3:

Table 3: Coordinates of the Mine Site

Latitude 20°52'0.52"N

Longitude 70°55'51.20"E

Figure 1: Location Map

Figure 2: Key Plan

3.3 Details of Alternate Sites

No alternative site has been examined as it is an existing mine already in possession of M/s

Nirma Limited and allotted for the purpose of mining by the State Government.

3.4 Size or Magnitude of Operation

A part of limestone has already been mined by pits within the lease area.

Table 4: Geological and Mineable Reserves (million tonnes)

Classification Code Quantity in

tonnes

Grade

TOTAL MINERAL RESOURCES (A+B) 4,04,245

Chemical

Grade

A. Mineral Reserve:-

1. Proved Mineral Reserves 111 3,30,862

2. Probable Mineral Reserves 121 & 122 2167

B. Remaining Resources:-

1. Feasibility Mineral Resources 211 46,295

2. Prefeasibility Mineral Resources 221 & 222 3743

3. Measured Mineral Resources 331 -

4. Indicated Mineral Resources 332 -

5. Inferred Mineral Resources 333 21,178

6. Reconnaissance Mineral Resources 334 -

Life of Mine

Total mineable reserves of chemical grade = 3,30,862

Rate of production per year = 45,000 Tonnes/Annum

Total life of the mine = 07 years

3.5 Project Description with Process Details

Method of Mining

The semi- mechanized opencast mining will be carried out. There is no overburden in the area.

Mining in general will be carried out by forming benches up to 2.0 to 3.0 m height. The sides of

the benches have slopes at a safe angle not more than 45 degrees from horizontal. Excavated

ROM will be subjected to manual sizing into fraction of +25 mm to – 100 mm. The expected yield

of sized limestone is around 90%. This sized limestone is loaded into trucks manually and

dispatched to the lessee’s Soda Ash Plant. Remaining 10% of undersize material is stacked on

the worked out pit floor. Drilling and blasting will be also carried out by using air compressor

and 32 mm dia. jack hammer drill.

Quarry limits of all workings are planned with a 7.5 m statutory barriers against the lease

boundary and 15 m on either side of the electric lines passing through the area. All haulage

roads, the alignment of which keeps on changing depending upon the working in the pit, joins

the existing surface roads of the lease hold. Four Wheeled Trolley attached to tractor will be

generally used for movement of mineral. The mineral transported out of the lease hold will be

with the help of dumpers and trucks.

All pit working will be securely fenced as per the standards prescribed by DGMS. Approach

roads to pit faces shall be maintained as required.

Mining will be carried out for chemical grade limestone only. Operations to be done in mining of

limestone is given

Mining Lease

Drilling

Blasting

Manual Sorting and sizing

Dispatched to Soda Ash Plant

Operations in Limestone Mining

Blasting

The limestone being medium hard category requires some drilling and blasting for excavation.

To maintain a bench height of 2 meters, drilling by 32/64 mm dia drill machine, is

recommended. Powder factor on an average is kept as 4 tonnes per kg of explosive in the initial

stages. However, in future effort will be made to improve upon it. Blasting frequency is

recommended as twice in every six days (i.e. twice a week). Benches shall be kept sloped at an

angle of 15o from the vertical. (i.e. 75° from the horizontal) Same angle of slope shall be

maintained for drill /blast holes also. With 2 m. high benches, sloped at an angle of 15° to

vertical, the bench slope height shall be 6.2 m. and with sub-grade drilling of 0.2 m. the depth of

shot holes to be drilled shall be 0.6 m the depth of shot holes to be drilled shall be 6.6 m.

Type of Explosives to Be Used

The slurry gel cartridge explosive is used with detonating cord, ordinary detonator and safety

fuse since multi row system of firing will be carried out so as to reduce the ground vibration,

noise, fly rock etc. due to blasting. Sequential blasting techniques using sequential blasting

machine shall be used to reduce explosive charge per delay to a minimum to reduce ground

vibration.

Storage of Explosives

Transportation of explosive will be done by duly licenced “explosive van” of the company.

Company’s certilized magazine is situated in nearby lease area at Damasa Limestone Mine (110-

P). The total capacity of storing 450 kg of class 2 explosives, 2000 detonators, 2000 meters of

detonating fuse and 1000 meters safety fuse. As this storage capacity is considered adequate

meet the requirement of all nearby mines of the company.

Precautionary Measures

Adequate precautionary measures will be taken as given below:

Adequate siren system will be in operation.

Legible warning sign in the language understood by the local people.

Enough security guards, especially posted on roads etc.

Before blasting the upper surface of the bench shall be cleaned off any stones lying above,

as it is a major source of flying stones.

The trunk line of the detonating cord shall be covered with sand to reduce air over

pressure, as it is major source of air blast noise.

Controlled blasting shall be practiced and only between 12 Noon and 2PM.

All safety measures as prescribed under MMR 1961 and circulars issued by DGMS.

An effective record of instruction to guards given for working and clearance shall be

maintained.

Transport of Explosives

Transportation of explosives will be done by an “explosive van (Potable)” approved by PESO.

Frequency of Blasting

The blasting frequency is done in one to two row per day. Secondary blasting is not proposed.

3.6 Raw Material Required Along With Estimated Quantity, Likely Source, Marketing Area

of Final Product/S, Mode of Transport of Raw Material and Finished Product

The 40,000 tons of ROM limestone excavated from the captive mines will be sized manually and

loaded into four wheeled trolley attached to tractor used for movement of mineral. The

mineral transported with the help of dumpers and trucks through existing transportation roads

to company’s Soda ash plant directly.

3.7 Resource Optimization/ Recycling and Reuse

The quality of limestone excavated from the mines will be suitable for Soda ash plant. Hence, no

sub grade limestone is anticipated. Thus, no resource optimization or recycling/reuse is

envisaged. However, the undersized material generated during sizing blended with the non-

chemical grade limestone, which are basically of chemical grade composition, will provide

limestone raw material for the nearby cement plants having much above the total carbonate

requirement for cement grade limestone. The rainwater and seepage water collected in the

mine pits shall be utilized for sprinkling water, dust suppression, etc. to the extent possible.

Therefore, zero waste generation is achieved.

3.8 Availability of Water Its Source, Energy / Power Requirement And Source

3.8.1 Water Requirement

Water requirement for human consumption, plantation and dust suppression will be 2.0 KLD

(0.8 KL for domestic, 0.2 KL for plantation and 1.0 KL for dust suppression), which shall be met

throw potable water resources. Power

3.8.2 power

No electrical power shall be required for operations as the mining will be worked out during

day time only in one shift. Minimal power required for office shall be taken from the State

Electricity Board.

3.9 Quantity of Wastes to be Generated (Liquid And Solid) And Scheme For Their

Management/ Disposal

3.9.1 Solid Waste Generation & its Disposal

There is neither any overlying waste stratum nor any overburden. Hence, no overburden or

mine reject generation is anticipated during the mining operations.

3.9.2 Liquid Effluent

There will be no waste water generation from Mining activities. However, a small amount of

domestic wastewater generation will happen as a result of water used by humans, which will be

disposed in soak pits.

4 SITE ANALYSIS

4.1 Connectivity

Road : The lease area is connected by Coastal Highway Veraval-Una leading to village Fulka at

7.0 kms upto Fulka village which is 1.0 kms from the lease area.

Rail : Vadviyala is the nearest railway station (B.G.) on Junagarh- Veraval section of western

railway which is 3.7 km in NE direction from the area.

Air : Diu is the nearest airport and is served by scheduled regular flights of Indian airlines and

other Private Airlines. It is 17 kms from M.L. area.

4.2 Landform, Land-use And Land Ownership

Landform

The mine lease area is a plain terrain.

Land Use

The mine lease area is a plain terrain. The highest level is 60.79 mRL in upper middle part

and lowest 47.3 mRL towards south side.

Land Ownership

The designated mining lease has been granted in favour of M/s Nirma Limited.

4.3 Topography

The limestone deposit of Fulka is located in plain area. The lease area lies on a flat country that

gradually slopes down towards the east. The area is situated at 67-43 m above MSL.

4.4 Existing Land Use Pattern

The land-use pattern of core area at present, at the end of Plan period (2016-17) and at the end

of mine life is given as below in Table-6:-

Table 5: Land-use Pattern of Mine Site

S. No. Particulars Area in Hectare

Existing End of mine life

i. Pits & Quarries 0.60 2.0

ii. Waste Dump -- --

iii. Undersize Stack 0.03 --

iv. Infrastructure- Office,

Tar Road,

Kutcha Road

0.003

--

0.020

--

--

0.020

v. Township (colony) -- --

vi. Others – Barren Land 2.7666 1.3996

Total occupied Area 3.4196 3.4196

4.5 Existing Infrastructure

It is an existing mine. Site services such as rest shelter, drinking water facilities, mineral

stacking had been provided in compliance of Mines Act 1952 and Mines Rule 1955.

4.6 Soil Classification

The district of Junagadh has deep black soils. The deep black soils have been formed due to the

deposition of basaltic trap materials transported by the rivers Bhadar, Minsar, Osat Madhuvanti

etc. They have faced the problem of salinity and alkalinity. They are also impregnated with a

fairly high amount of free lime. The soils are dark brown to very dark greyish brown in colour. It

contains 40-70% clay minerals. The deep black soils, in general, are clay-like in texture, poor in

drainage, and neutral to alkaline in reaction. These soils are most fertile soil in Black soils.

4.7 Climatic Data from Secondary Sources

Long Term Meteorology

The climate in the region shows broadly four seasonal variations, namely:

Winter : December – February

Summer : March – Mid June

Monsoon : Mid June – September

The climate is semi-arid with an average annual rainfall of 600 mm. The temperature varies

from 45⁰ C in summer to as low as 1⁰C in winter. The area is drained by a nalla, which is a

tributary of non-perennial river which feeds sea.

Social Infrastructure

5 PLANNING BRIEF

5.1 Planning Concept

Opencast manual mining method will be adopted for limestone mining. Project will produce

Limestone @ 45,000 Tonnes Per Annum, which will be used as raw material for production of

soda ash in Bhavnagar Soda Ash plant of M/s Nirma Limited. All required infrastructure is

already available.

5.2 Population Projection

About 22 persons would get employment in the mine. Local employees will be preffed, those

residing in nearby villages.

5.3 Assessment of Infrastructure Demand (Physical & Social)

Adequate infrastructure facilities are available in the vicinity of mine lease area and due to the

mining activities; no extra infrastructure over and above the existing infrastructure is required.

5.4 Amenities/Facilities

Some facilities which will be given are as follows:

Proper site services such as First Aid, Rest Shelter, and Drinking Water will be provided

to the mine workers.

During operation phase, ear plugs, dust masks and dust goggles will be provided to

workers.

Mobile phones & walky talky shall be used for communication.

Appropriate security arrangement shall be made by project proponent.

Fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with legal requirements.

6 PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE

6.1 Industrial Area (Processing Area)

Required Infrastructure is already available as it is an existing mine. So, same infrastructure will

be used.

6.2 Residential Area (Non Processing Area)

As the local personnel shall be employed for the mine site, so no residential building/housing is

proposed.

6.3 Green Belt

Present green belt development is over an area of 0.04 Ha. During next five years’ plan & end of

life of mine a total area of 1.4 Ha. will be covered under green belt. Plantation will be carried out

within the lease area in phased manner. Year wise program is given below:

Table 6:Green Belt Details

Years No. of Plants Survival rate

2016-17 200 80%

2017-18 200 80%

2018-19 200 80%

2019-20 200 80%

2020-21 200 80%

Total 1000 80%

6.4 Social Infrastructure

As it is an existing mining project, amenities for communication, health etc. are available at the

ML area who are directly associated with the project. With the communication of the mine,

there will be substantial improvement in the overall economy of the local people in the form of

additional income through employment.

6.5 Connectivity

Site is well connected to existing road and rail network. There is no proposal to develop new

road and rail links.

6.6 Drinking Water Management

Water requirement for drinking and operations will be 2.0 KLD, will be met from surrounding

village through tankers.

6.7 Sewerage System

Domestic sewage shall be disposed of into septic tank followed by soak pits. As there will be no

township facility developed within the boundary so no permanent sewerage waste would be

there.

6.8 Industrial Waste Management

Not applicable, as the mining activity will not be generating any overburden or waste water. The

Spent (used oil) generated from operation & maintenance of mining machinery shall be

disposed as per applicable guidelines.

6.9 Solid Waste Management

There is neither any overlying waste stratum nor any overburden. Hence, no overburden or

mine reject generation is anticipated during the mining operations. After sizing, sized material

will be transported to the Soda Ash Plant at Bhavnagar. However, if some top soil is

encountered in pot holes, solution channels during mining, then it will be recovered carefully

and used for plantation purpose.

6.10 Power Requirement & Supply/ Source

No electrical power requirement for mining activities.

7. REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT (R&R) PLAN

The existing mine lease area is designated as government waste land and has no human

settlements and hence, no R & R is envisaged.

8. PROJECT SCHEDULE & COST ESTIMATES

8.1 Likely Date Of Start Of Construction And Likely Date Of Completion

Limestone mine is an existing captive mine; we have already obtained the required permissions.

8.2 Estimated Project Cost Along With Analysis In Terms Of Economic Viability Of The

Project

The capital cost of the project is Rs. 25 Lakh and the annual recurring cost for the environment

protection measures is proposed as Rs. 6.0 Lakh including pollution control and monitoring.

9 ANALYSIS OF PROPOSAL (Final Recommendations)

The proposed project is expected to provide employment to local people in different activities

such as Mining, sizing, transportation and plantation activities. The project activity will not

have any major impact on the environment. At Post mining stage of proposed project, the

existing waste land shall be converted to water harvesting bodies and green belts.

Also the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives will have a positive impact on

socio economic fabric of the region.

The company provides the helping hand in the development of the nearby villages by following

ways:

Development of facilities within the villages like roads etc.

Arrangement of regular free of cost of medical check-up camp for the employees which

is also extended for the villagers.

Up gradation of primary school in nearby villages.

Hence, this mine is in particular is feasible & economical.