(a) whether the Government has taken note of the effect of mining on environment in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the efforts made by the Government to adopt and apply accepted international practices in developing
environmental management capacity to mitigate the harmful effects of mining on environment?
THE MINISTER OF MINES (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a) & (b): As per Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, projects of mining of minerals as stated
in the schedule require prior environment clearance. The mining projects are appraised by Expert Appraisal Committee
constituted under the aforesaid notification. The terms of reference are prescribed to the project proponents which
inter-alia lay emphasis on environment impact assessment and development of management plans, which take into
consideration the mitigative measures to be adopted while under taking mining activity. Public consultations
are held as per the procedure prescribed under EIA Notification, 2006 by which the concerns of the local affected
persons and others who have plausible stake in the environment impacts of the project or activity are ascertained
with a view to taking into account all the material concerns in the project design as appropriate. Environment
impact assessment, environment management plan and public consultation are important elements of the environment
clearance mechanism.
Besides it, Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), a sub-ordinate office of Ministry of Mines is entrusted with implementation
of provisions of Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 1988 wherein Rule 31 to 41 pertain to environment.
During the routine inspection of the mines by IBM officers, provisions of these rules are checked and in case of
deviation actions are being taken as per the provisions of the rules.
IBM approves mining plan which contains Environment Management Plan as a separate chapter wherein the proposals of
environment are envisaged. These proposals are also checked during the routing inspection and in case of deviation
action is taken either by initiating action as per rules or by modifying the document. Year wise details of
administration of Rule 31 to 41 of MCDR 1988 is as under:
(c) A concept of Mine Closure Plan has been introduced by amending the Rule 23 of MCDR 1988 during year 2003. These mine closure plans are of two types viz (1) Progressive Mine Closure Plan which is applicable when the mining activities are in progress and is an integral part of Mining Plan and (2) Final Mine Closure Plan as the name indicates is applicable after the life of mine. Introduction of these closure plans has made it mandatory for the lessees to take necessary steps for protection of environment.
Rule No. Year Total Total Total show Total show Total Violations Violations cause issued cause violations Pointed out rectified rectified for which cases launched
31 to 41 2009-10 40 30 15 2 3 (Environment) 2010-11 79 32 29 24 0
2011-12 89 39 22 11 2
2012-13 78 32 22 9 0 (upto Feb. 2013)
Total 286 133 88 46 5
(Source: Indian Bureau of Mines)