Chapter-1
Introduction
1.0INTRODUCTION
1.1Project Background
Hindalco Industries Limited (HINDALCO) is part of the Aditya Birla Group, one of the largest industrial groups in India and is the oldest and one of the largest Aluminium producers in the country, having integrated facilities from mining of Bauxite to finished products. The various processing units have been strategically located for optimum benefits. The company, which was started way back in 1938, has increased multifold its production capacities, product mix, and diversification over the last few decades. It owns and operates alumina refineries, smelters and semi-fabrication plants for rolled products, foils and extrusions. The total turnover of HINDALCO for 2002-03 was Rs.1371 Crores.
Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL) (also called as Utkal Alumina Project) is a joint venture company of M/s. HINDALCO (India) and Alcan Aluminium (Canada) with the shareholding pattern of 55% and 45% respectively. Initially, it was promoted by Indian Aluminium Company Ltd (an Aditya Birla Group Company), among other the then JV Companies.
The Utkal Alumina Project is one of the lowest cost Greenfield plants both in terms of capital and operating costs and requires a large infrastructure, such as port facilities for alumina export, long distance conveyor for transporting bauxite, steam and power plant, rail siding at plant as well as at port and a large fleet of special wagons to carry alumina to the port.
The Utkal Alumina Project is located at Doragurha and Baphlimali villages of Kashipur Block in Rayagada district of Orissa state. The plant proposes to produce primary Alumina by low-temperature digestion of Bauxite. Power required for the plant operations will be met from its co-generation plant (producing steam and power) located inside the plant premises.
The required chief raw material, bauxite will be met from its captive mines, located at Baphlimali hills of Kashipur block in Rayagada district of Orissa state, at a distance of about 16.0-km (Arial) from the plant site in NW direction. The captive mines were spread in an area of 1388.74 ha.
The project had obtained ‘No Objection Certificate for setting-up of Industry’ from Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB). It also obtained Environmental Clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to mine out 3.0 MTPA Bauxite during September 1995 vide letter number J-11015/149/94-IA,II(M)dt. 25.09.1995. Pre-project activities such as mining lease transfer and preparatory initial site leveling works have been completed. Presently, Utkal Alumina proposes to increase the mining capacity of Bauxite to 8.5 MTPA to meet the additional requirement of the expanded refinery.
1.2 Environment Policy of Hindalco Industries Limited (HINDALCO)
HINDALCO keeping the company’s philosophy of maintaining a healthy and clean environment in and around the Industry has made Environment Management
System an integral and fundamental part of the business and is having an ISO-14001 certificate for all its plants. HINDALCO was the first in Asia to receive ISO-14001 Environment Management System Certification for its bauxite mines and power plant. The Company, with its facilities and the system already in existence framed its environmental policy. The objectives and the targets for the works have been scrutinized and implementation of action plan is in progress for continual improvements.
HINDALCO is not only concerned but also committed to sustainable development and environment management. As a leading industrial establishment of the country, HINDALCO has been very keen in discharging its social obligations for maintaining the ecological balance.
1.3Current Status of the Project and Details of Proposed Project
1.3.1Status of the Project
‘Consent For Establishment’ from OPCB and ‘Environmental Clearance’ from MoEF for raising of 3.0 MTPA Bauxite from the mining lease is available. The proposed project will be fully complying with the conditions laid down by OPCB and MoEF.
Presently, Utkal has obtained the mining lease and site leveling works have been completed.
1.3.2Project Proposal
The objective of the proposed project is to expand mining operations of the lease to achieve an average production of 8.5 MTPA of Bauxite. The total cost of the project (alumina refinery, CPP and mining project) is about Rs 4393 Crores, out of which the environmental cost is about Rs 200 Crores.
1.4Project Justification
The project is a captive mines to Utkal Alumina Project. In order to meet the additional Bauxite demand for the proposed expansion activities of refinery, Utkal proposes to enhance the production from the mine lease. The break-up of chief raw material requirement for the refinery is given in Table-1.1.
TABLE-1.1
MINERAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE REFINERY
Sr. No. / Stage of Project / Bauxite Requirement1 / 1.0 MTPA refinery / 3.0 MTPA
2 / 3.0 MTPA refinery / 8.5 MTPA
The mineable and geological reserves of Bauxite in the lease (1388.74-ha) are about 194.5 MT and 215.12 MT respectively. The deposit can thus sustain the proposed expanded refinery for over 27 years (It takes about 9 years to reach the mining capacity of 8.5 MTPA).
At the present approved rate of production from the captive mine lease, only 3.0 MTPA of Bauxite can be raised and supplied to the refinery.
Hence, in view of the proposed expansion of the refinery, indicated mineable reserves of the mine lease and ability of the mines to supply minerals for a considerable duration, the expansion in production from the mine lease is fully justified.
1.5Environmental Impact Assessment
1.5.1Introduction
In order to enhance the production capacity of the mines and to modify the approved mine plans to suit the enhanced production, UAIL has initiated steps to obtain the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Orissa Pollution Control Board (OPCB) and Environmental Clearance (EC) from MoEF. Preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment Management Plan (EMP) is a statutory requirement for obtaining NOC and securing EC from the MoEF.
In order to assess the environmental viability of the proposed project, M/s Vimta Labs Limited, Hyderabad has been retained for the preparation of Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment studies (REIA) for various environmental attributes, which may be affected due to the mining operations and to suggest Environment Management Plan.
1.5.2Study Area
The study area for field monitoring of various environmental aspects covers both core zone as well as buffer zone of the mine lease.
Core Zone:
The core zone of the study area is mine lease area.
Buffer Zone:
The buffer zone of the study area is 10-km radial distance from the mine lease boundary.
1.5.3Reconnaissance Survey
Reconnaissance survey of the region was carried out during last week of January 2006 and various sampling locations to monitor various environmental parameters have been identified.
1.5.4Field Monitoring
Subsequent to reconnaissance survey, field monitoring has been commenced for meteorology, ambient air quality, surface and ground water quality, soil characteristics, noise levels, flora and fauna at the specified locations. The other studies such as socio-economic profile, land use pattern etc are based on secondary data collected from various government agencies and validated through the primary surveys. The field work to study all the above environmental attributes was done during February to April 2006 covering pre-monsoon season of the year 2006 as per the guidelines specified by MoEF. The field work of sampling will be continued for nine more months to cover the full year to assess the ambient environment quality.
1.5.5Points Broadly Considered in Preparation of the EIA
The following points were broadly considered in the preparation of the EIA:
- Assessing the existing environmental conditions in the study area through baseline studies;
- Establishing the relevant features of the Bauxite mine that are likely to have an impact on the environment;
- Prediction of the impacts on the environment due to expansion activities of the mine; and
- Suggesting the environmental safeguards and mitigatory measures to ensure environmental quality of the project.
This Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (REIA) Report covers the primary data collected during the period February 2006 through April 2006 covering pre-monsoon season.
1.6Location and Brief Details of Mine Plan
1.6.1Mine Lease Area
The location details of the mining lease of the UAIL are given in Table-1.2.
TABLE-1.2
VILLAGE-WISE BREAK UP OF MINE LEASE AREA
Name of the Village / District, State / Area (Ha)Paikkupakhal / Rayagada, Orissa / 158.14
Karanjkupakhal / Rayagada, Orissa / 168.25
Dhuturapas / Rayagada, Orissa / 64.74
Dandabad / Rayagada, Orissa / 414.48
Chandragiri / Rayagada, Orissa / 90.31
Sub-Total
(Rayagada Dist) / 895.92
Durumusi / Kalahandi, Orissa / 318.06
Suryagada / Kalahandi, Orissa / 132.98
Kendumundi / Kalahandi, Orissa / 41.78
Sub-Total
(Kalahandi Dist) / 492.82
Total / 1388.74
1.6.2Mineable Reserves of the ML Area
The net Bauxite mineable reserves of the mine lease as on 1st April 2006 are about 194.5 MT. The estimated ROM quality is 44.70% of Alumina and 2.11% of silica.
1.6.3Production Details as per Mining Plan
It is proposed to mine at an average of 8.54 Million Tonnes of Bauxite per annum. However, a certain excess quantity of mineral may be raised based on requirement of the refinery from time to time.
1.7Environmental Setting
The proposed bauxite mine site is located on the boundary between Rayagada and Kalahandi districts of Orissa state. This mining lease is located at Baphlimali hillock, Rayagada district, OrissaState. The plateau top is devoid of vegetation in most part except a few bushes and shrubs. No river or springs passes close to the deposit.
The mine lease area falls in the area between Latitude 19o18' N to 19o22' N and Longitude 82o57' E to 82o59' E at an elevation of 990-m to 1093-m above Mean Sea Level (MSL).
The Rayagada town is located at about 57.5-km in SE direction. The lease area is hillock surrounded by other small hillocks. The plateau top is generally flat and devoid of vegetation. Bauxite formation is layered with lateritic overburden and a thin cover of soil at some places.
The Tikri Railway station is located at about 20-km in SE. The nearest airport is Vishakhapatnam (185-km, S).
The distance between the nearest boundary of the mine lease and nearest forest boundary (Dandabar RF) is about 0.5-km in N direction. The study area falls in the microbasin of the IndravatiRiver, which is flowing in southwesterly direction on the western side of ML area, in the Rayagada district of Orissa. Project area is located in NE direction of the point of confluence of the San river with the Indravati river.
Rain dependent agriculture and allied activities are the major occupation of the people around the project site reflecting the rural atmosphere.
There are no historical monuments or important tourist spots located in the area. Similarly there are no national parks or wildlife sanctuaries situated within 10-km radius.
The index map of the region is shown in Figure-1.1. The topographical features of the study area within 10-km radius of mine lease boundary are depicted in Figure-1.2. The details of environmental setting are given in Table-1.3.
TABLE-1.3
DETAILS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Sr. No. / Particulars / Details1 / Location / Baphlimali Hills
2 / Longitude / 82o57' E to 82o59' E
3 / Latitude / 19o18' N to 19o22' N
4 / Elevation above MeanSea Level / 990-m to 1093-m
5 / Climatic conditions / As per IMD Koraput
Annual Mean Max Temp: 34.2OC
Annual Mean Min Temp: 11.4 OC
Annual Mean Rainfall: 1647.8 mm
6 / Land use at the proposed project site / Hillock
7 / Nearest Highway / National Highway 201 (42-km, NW)
8 / Nearest Railway Station / Tikri RS (20.0-km, SE)
9 / Nearest Airport / Vishakhapatnam (185-km, S)
10 / Nearest habitation / Durmushi (0.5-km, SW)
11 / Villages within 1-km radius surrounding the mine lease / Durmushi, Dandabad, Paikkupakhal, Karanj kupakhal, Dhuturapas
12 / Nearest major habitation / Kashipur (14.5-km, E); Tikri (20.0-km, SE)
13 / Nearest major town / Rayagada (57.5-km, SE)
14 / Reserved Forests / Dandabar RF (0.5-km, N)
Udalasil RF (2.4-km, N)
Kanda Bindha RF (8.3-km, E)
Porha Bandh RF (9.3-km, ESE)
Sirigurha RF (7.6-km, SE)
Udaygiri RF (8.6-km, NW)
Chirka RF (1.0-km, NW)
15 / Nearest MajorPort / Vishakhapatnam (185-km, S)
16 / Defense Installations / Nil in 10-km radius
17 / Historically Important Places / Nil in 10-km radius
18 / Rivers/ Major Water Bodies / San River (5.9-km, SE)
Indravati River (7.5-km, W)
19 / Dams and barrages / Indravati Reservoir (4.0-km, W)
20 / Major other Industries / Nil in 10-km radius
21 / Survey of India Topo sheet covering the plant and surroundings / 65 I/15
22 / Seismic zone / Zone-II (stable zone) as per IS-1893
1.8Administrative, Legislative Background and Applicable Environmental Standards
Brief details of the administrative background of the project and applicable environmental standards are given in Annexure-I.
FIGURE-1.1
INDEX MAP SHOWING MINE LEASE
VIMTA Labs Limited, Hyderabad C1-1
/ Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the Proposed Capacity Expansion of Bauxite Mines from 3.0 MTPA to 8.5 MTPA at Baphlimali PlateauChapter-1
Introduction
FIGURE-1.2
LOCATION MAP OF MINE LEASE AND STUDY AREA - 10 KM RADIUS
1.9Scope of the Study
The present study covers an area of 10-km radius around the mine lease boundary. The scope of study broadly includes:
- To conduct literature review and to collect data relevant to the study area;
- To undertake environmental monitoring so as to establish the baseline environmental status of the study area;
- To identify various existing pollution activities in the ambient levels;
- To predict incremental levels of pollutants in the study area due to the proposed expansion of mining activities;
- To evaluate the predicted impacts on the various environmental attributes in the study area by using scientifically developed and widely accepted environmental impact assessment methodologies;
- To prepare an Environment Management Plan (EMP) outlining the measures for improving the environmental quality and scope for future expansions for environmentally sustainable development; and
- To identify critical environmental attributes required to be monitored.
The literature review includes identification of relevant articles from various publications, collection of data from various government agencies and other sources.
1.10Methodology of the Study
Reconnaissance survey was conducted by M/s Vimta Labs Limited, Hyderabad along with UAIL officials and sampling locations were identified on the basis of:
- Predominant wind directions in the study area as recorded by India Meteorological Department (IMD) and based on the past site meteorological data;
- Existing topography; Location of surface water bodies like ponds, canals and rivers;
- Location of villages/towns/sensitive areas;
- Accessibility, power availability and security of monitoring equipment; pollution pockets in the area;
- Areas which represent baseline conditions; and
- Collection, collation and analysis of baseline data for various environmental attributes.
Field studies have been conducted for a period of three months (February 2006 to April 2006) representing pre-monsoon season to determine existing conditions of various environmental attributes as outlined in Table-1.4. The methodology of monitoring and analysis is given in Annexure-II.
VIMTA Labs Limited, Hyderabad C1-1
/ Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the Proposed Capacity Expansion of Utkal Alumina Bauxite Mines to 8.5 MTPA at Baphlimali PlateauChapter-1
Introduction
TABLE-1.4
ENVIRONMENTAL ATTRIBUTES AND FREQUENCY OF MONITORING
Sr. No. / Environmental Component / Sampling Locations / Sampling Parameters / Total Sampling Period / Sampling Frequency / Detection Limit / Methodology1 / Meteorology / One central location / Temperature, Wind Speed, Wind Direction / 3 months / Hourly / WS: +/-0.02 m/sec
WD: +/- 3 degrees
Temp: +/- 0.2 oC / The meteorology parameters were recorded using automatic micro-meteorological equipment consisting of Anemometer, Wind wane and thermometer.
Review of secondary data collected from IMD station
Rainfall / 3 months / Daily / Rainfall: 0.2 mm / Rainfall was recorded every morning at 0830 hours
Relative Humidity, Cloud Cover / 3 months / Hourly / RH: +/- 3% / Humidity recorded using wet and dry thermometer and psycometric charts on hourly basis
2 / Ambient Air Quality / Five locations / SO2, NOx, CO, SPM, RPM and Dust fall / Two days per week for 13 weeks.
Dust fall is sampled for one month / 24 hourly / SPM: 5 µg/m3
RPM: 5 µg/m3
CO: 12.5 µg/m3 SO2: 4 µg/m3
NOx: 4 µg/m3 / Gravimetric method for SPM and RPM. Modified West & Gaike method for SO2 (IS-5182 part-II 1969) using Tetrachloro mercurate 0.01 N absorbing solution. Jacob-Hochheiser method (IS-5182 part-IV 1975) for NOX using Sodium Arsenate absorbing solution of 0.01 N absorbing solution. CO was measured by GC method.
3 / Water Quality / Ten locations / As per IS:10500-1991 / Grab sampling / Once in study period / EC:+/-0.1 us/cm TSS/TDS: 0.5 mg/l
O&G: 0.1 mg/l DO: 0.5 mg/l BOD: 2 mg/l COD: 0.5 mg/l Ca, Mg, Na, K: 0.1 mg/l Alkalinity, PO4, SO4, Cl, NO3-0.1 mg/l Coliform: 1 MPN / As per APHA methods. The conductivity, temperature, TDS were analyzed at site laboratory and rest of the parameters were analyzed at VIMTA's Central Laboratory at Hyderabad.
Heavy metals (As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr-6, Total Cr, Cu, Zn, Se, Fe) / Grab sampling / Once in study period / 0.001 mg/l
4 / Noise / Four locations / Leq / 24 hourly composite / Once in study period / SPL: 0.1 dB(A) / Integrated on hourly basis
5 / Traffic density / Two junctions / Traffic count / 24 hour / Once in study period / - / Manual counting of different types of vehicles plying on the road
6 / Soil / Ten locations / Soil profile, Chemical constituents, Suitability for agricultural growth / Composite sample / Once during study period / EC: ± 0.1 µs/cm
N, P, K: 0.1 mg/kg / Analysis is carried out as per Soil Chemical analysis by ML Jackson
7 / Terrestrial Ecology / Total study area / Flora and fauna / Field observations / Once in study period / - / Through field visits and collected secondary data. List count and quadrate method
8 / Demography and Socio-economic aspects / Total study area / Demographic profile / - / - / - / Through field visits and secondary information sources like NationalInformaticCenter, Delhi and Census operation division
9 / Land Use / Total study area / Trend of land use change for different categories / - / - / - / Through field visits and secondary information sources like NationalInformaticCenter, Delhi
10 / Geology / Total study area / Geological history / - / - / - / Secondary information sources (Geological survey of India and Central Ground water Board, Delhi) and Exploration works done by UAIL
11 / Hydrogeology (Surface and ground) / Total study area / Drainage pattern, nature of streams, aquifer characteristics, recharge and discharge areas / - / - / - / Secondary information sources like (Geological survey of India and Central Ground water Board)
VIMTA Labs Limited, Hyderabad C1-1