The Ramco Cements Limited Expansion of Jayanthipuram ... - JPM-SB Mine... · The Ramco Cements Limited Expn. of Jayanthipuram Limestone Mine (South Band) (88.35 Ha; 0.5 to 1.75 MTPA),

The Ramco Cements Limited

Expansion of Jayanthipuram Limestone Mine (South Band) Existing Captive Mine over an Extent of 88.35 Ha

Proposed Limestone Production Enhancement from 0.5 MTPA to 1.75 MTPA

Survey Nos. 39, 40, 41, 45, 46, etc., of

Jayanthipuram Village, Jaggayyapeta Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh

Environmental Clearance under EIA Notification 2006

Schedule Sl. No. 1(a) Category ‘B1’ (Non-Coal Mining <100 Ha)

Summary Environmental Impact Assessment (after TOR; for Public Hearing)

TOR awarded by SEIAA/AP/KRI/MIN/08/2019/1219-1568 dated 15.11.2019

March 2020

EIA Consultant

ABC Techno Labs India Private Limited

Chennai (Sl. No. 4 of QCI/NABET List dated 09.03.2020)

The Ramco Cements Limited Expn. of Jayanthipuram Limestone Mine (South Band) (88.35 Ha; 0.5 to 1.75 MTPA), Krishna Dist., AP

The Ramco Cements Limited Expansion of Jayanthipuram Limestone Mine (South Band)

Existing Captive Mine over an Extent of 88.35 Ha Proposed Limestone Production Enhancement from 0.5 MTPA to 1.75 MTPA

Summary Environmental Impact Assessment

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Project Proponent

Ramco Group is one of the leading, highly reputed and Second Largest Industrial Group in South India. It

is well diversified in the fields of Cement, Ready Mix Concrete, Cement Fibre Products, Cotton and

Synthetic Yarn, Software Systems, Wind Farms, Research & Development, Dry Mortar Plants, Cotton

Textiles and Surgical. The total employees are about 15,700 and the Turnover of the Group is Rs.8,000

Crores. M/s. The Ramco Cements Limited is one of the main companies of RAMCO Group.

The Ramco Cements Limited (RCL) (formerly M/s. Madras Cements Limited) is one of the reputed Cement

Companies in India. The cement production of RCL is about 17.70 million tons per annum (MTPA) from

their Cement Plants in India. The company is the second largest cement producer in South India and sixth

largest manufacturer of cement in the Country.

RCL is producing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) and Slag

Cement (PSC). The cement produced by RCL is marketed in the brand name of ‘RAMCO’. The brand

name RAMCO SUPER GRADE is very popular PPC and RAMCO SUPER STEEL is the slag cement

brand. The market centres are mainly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha and

West Bengal States.

RCL which has always been striving for Total Quality, possesses International Certificate ISO:9001,

ISO:14001, ISO 45001 and ISO:50001. The company has achieved various awards for 'Best Performance' in

the Cement Industry and also Green Rating Project Awards 4 Leaves from Centre for Science and

Environment for the Year 2005. RCL has the well laid down Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE)

Policy approved by the CMD. The units are having their Integrated Management System (IMS) Policy. The

Contact information of the Corporate Office is :

The Executive Director (Operations), The Ramco Cements Limited, 5

th Floor, Auras Corporate Centre,

No. 98A, Dr.Radhakrishnan Road, Mylapore, Chennai-600 004.

Tel. No. : 044-28478666/28478661/28478656 Fax No. : 044-28478676 e-Mail : [email protected]

1.2 Project Profile

RCL had established its Kumarasamy Raja Nagar (KSR Nagar) Cement Plant in the Year 1986-87 in

Survey Nos. 235, 236, 238, 240, etc. at Dharmavarapupadu Thanda Village, Jaggayyapeta

(Jaggaiahpet) Mandal, Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh State. The Cement Plant is in operation for the

last 3 decades and is periodically expanded with two Process Lines (Lines I & II) over an Extent of 329.00

Ha (812.75 Acres). The Cement Plant is now being expanded with additional 3rd Clinker Line of 1.50 MTPA


capacity to existing 3.185 MTPA Clinker, thus, 4.685 MTPA Clinker on Expansion and 3.650 Cement

(OPC/PPC/PSC/CC) productions. The Cement Plant is supported with (2x18 MW + 6 MW Turbine =) 42

MW Captive Thermal Power Plants (CTPPs) for its Power Demand.

The present Limestone requirement of the plant is 4.5 MTPA which is being met from the Captive

Limestone Mines in the Region viz. Jayanthipuram Limestone Mine (North Band), Jayanthipuram

Limestone Mine (South Band), Ravirala (Forest) and Budhawada (Forest) Mines are fulfilling the Cement

Plant’s Limestone demand and additionally Ravirala Revenue Mine is proposed.

The centralised Crusher of 1000 TPH is being operated and another 1100 TPH Crusher is being

established now on Expansion of the Cement Plant. There is a Colony of about 346 Quarters adjacent to

the Plant.

Jayanthipuram Limestone Mine (South Band) (JPM South Band) Lease area of 88.35.0 Ha falls in Survey

Nos. 39, 40, 41, 45, 46, 47/1, 47/2, 47/3, 47/4, 47/5, 48/1, 48/2, 48/3, 48/4, 49/1, 49/2, 49/3, 52, 53, 54,

55, 57, 58, 59/1, 59/2, 59/3, 59/4, 60/1, 60/2, 60/3, 63, 64, 65 & 72/1 of Jayanthipuram village,

Jaggayyapet Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh (Fig. 1.1). In the ML Area, 78.51 Ha is an own

Patta Land and 9.84 Ha is Government Waste Land (Survey No. 65). The Mine was opened on

27.03.1989.

Jayanthipuram Limestone Mine (South Band) initially had two different mining leases in different extents.

Later on, these two mining leases have been amalgamated into a single mining lease and made

coterminous over an extent of 88.35.0 Ha vide GO. Ms. No. 317 dated 29.10.2003 and valid upto

18.12.2004. The amalgamated Mining Lease was renewed vide GO. Ms. No. 315, dated 28.12.2004 for a

period of 20 years from 19.12.2004 till 18.12.2024. As per the Mines and Minerals (Development and

Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, the Lease Validity has been extended for a period of 50 years vide

GO. Ms. No. 58 dated 02.05.2017 with effect from 19.12.1984 till 18.12.2034.

Environmental Clearance for production enhancement of mine from 0.037 MTPA to 0.5 MTPA has been

obtained from MoEF vide Ltr. No. J-11015/378/2007-IA-II (M) dated 08.06.2007. Six monthly EC Compliance

Reports are being submitted to MoEF&CC, Regional Office (South Eastern Zone), Chennai regularly.

The recent Certified copy of Compliance Report has been received vide MoEF&CC F.No.

EP/12.1/537/AP/1338 dated 17.08.2018.

RCL obtained Approvals for Mining Plans/Schemes from Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Hyderabad

periodically. Modifications in the Approved Mining Plan (2018-19 to 2019-20) was obtained approval vide

Ltr. No. AP/KSN/MP/Lst-6/Hyd dated 05.12.2018. Approval of Review of Mining Plan (2019-20 & 2020-21

to 2024-25 for 1.75 MTPA subject to EC) vide Ltr. No. AP/KSN/MP/Lst-6/Hyd dated 13.12.2019.

Recent Renewal of Combined CFO for JPM NB (2.0 MTPA), JPM SB (0.5 MTPA), Ravirala Forest (1.2 MTPA) &

Budawada Forest Mines (1.1 MTPA) vide orders APPCB/HO/UH-IV/CFO: VJA/Auto Renewal-8/2016 dated

08.12.2016, w.e.f. 01.02.2017 valid till 31.01.2022.

The Cement Plant, Captive Power Plant and Captive Mines operations are in full compliance with the

conditions stipulated in the Environmental Clearances awarded by MoEF&CC and Consent Orders

issued by APPCB.



With recent expansion, the Cement Plant’s Limestone requirement will be increased from 4.5 MTPA to 7.54

MTPA. The Low Grade Limestone from this Mine has to be blended with High Grade Limestone as

Mineral Conservation measure adopted in the Plant. Accordingly, it is proposed to enhance the

Limestone production from 0.5 MTPA to 1.75 MTPA within the Lease Area.

The Mineable Reserves in UNFC ‘111’ Grade has been assessed as 3,23,51,504.50 Tonnes Limestone.

Out of the total reserve of 32.35 Million Tonnes available for the subsequent Mining Plan/Schemes at the

end of RoMP, about 26.25 Million Tonnes will only be mined out till the Conceptual Stage. As the Mine

having Lease validity upto 18.12.2034 as per GO issued under MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, the

conceptual plan is prepared till 2034-35.

Mining operations are being carried out by Conventional deep hole drilling and blasting, fully Mechanized

Opencast Mining Method. Hydraulic excavators are deployed to load the blasted Limestone into the

Tippers. The loaded Limestone is sent to the crusher through dedicated haul road to meet the captive

consumption of in KSR Nagar Cement Plant. Cutoff grade for the Limestone is considered as +41% CaO

and 18% SiO2. Limestone having CaO 34% to 41% and SiO2 above 18 % is treated as Mineral Rejects (Sub-

grade) which is stacked separately within the Mine Lease itself for future use. The ultimate pit depth will

be 78 m BGL at Conceptual Stage. The Mine Layout/Surface Plan has been given as Fig. 2.1.

Mine Profile :

Proved Mineral Reserves : 42.133 Million Tonnes

Proposed Limestone Production : 1.75 MTPA

Life of the Mine with this Production : 23 years (upto 2042-43)

(Lease for RCL is valid till 18.12.2034)

Ore : Development Ratio : 1: 0.05 (Plan Period)

No. of working days/annum : 305 (3 shifts)

Existing Pit Configuration : 703 m (L) x 617 m (W) x 35 m (D)

Top Ground Level : 38-42 m RL

Limestone Bed Level : 34 m RL (considered as 0 m BGL)

Depth of Working - Plan period : Bottom RL (-)12 m (46 m BGL)

Ultimate Pit Limit-Conceptual/Lease Period : Upto (-)40 m RL (78 m BGL)

Ground Water-table in the vicinity-ML Area : Post-Monsoon : 19-22 m BGL

Pre-Monsoon : 30-33 m BGL

Mining activities intersected the ground water-table and NOC has been obtained.

At Conceptual Stage (as on 18.12.2034), about 49.55 Ha will be under the quarried area, 14.41 Ha will

be under OB dump/bund, 0.05 Ha under Statutory Buildings, 1.00 Ha under Roads and 1.34 Ha of land

will be untouched. The total Green Belt & Afforested Area will be about 22.00 Ha with 24.90 % coverage at

the conceptual stage.

Power demand of the Mine is 0.5 KVA which is being met through Captive Power. For operating the

quarrying equipments, High Speed Diesel (HSD) is required @ 2,500 Liters/day. No standby DG set is

installed in the Mine.


Fig. : 2.1 Surface Plan


The proposed expansion of Jayanthipuram Limestone Mine (South Band) ie.e Production enhancement

from existing 0.5 MTPA to 1.75 MTPA over an extent of 88.35 Ha falls under Sl. No. 1(a) of EIA

Notification 2006 (as amended); Category B1 (Non-Coal Mining in <100 Ha) and requires prior

Environmental Clearance from the State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Andhra

Pradesh. Accordingly, TOR Application/Form-1, Pre Feasibility Report (PFR), Proposed Terms of

Reference (TOR) for EIA Study and Approved Mining Plan are submitted by RCL (Online Proposal No. is

SIA/AP/MIN/40833/2019 dated 07.08.2019) and additional details on 09.09.2019.

The Proposal was deliberated by the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee-Andhra Pradesh (SEAC-AP)

in its Meeting held on 21.09.2019 and recommended the TOR with Public Hearing. TOR for carrying out

the EIA Study has been awarded by SEIAA-AP vide SEIAA/AP/KRI/MIN/08/2019/1219-1568 dated

15.11.2019.

The EIA Consultant, M/s. ABC Techno Labs India Private Limited, Chennai has been accredited for various

Sectors including Sector-1 (Mining Projects) for Category ‘A’ by the National Accreditation Board for

Education & Training (NABET), Quality Council of India (Sl. No. 4 of QCI/NABET List dated 09.03.2020).

The ABC Techno Labs India Private Limited Laboratory is accredited by the National Accreditation Board

for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and also recognised by MoEF&CC. The services of

M/s.Environmental System Consultants & Ambiente Lab Solutions Private Limited, Chennai are utilised

for the coordination of the Study on behalf of RCL.

The Baseline Data was generated during December 2019-February 2020 (Winter Season) and utilised for

the EIA Report. The EIA Report has been prepared and submitted as per awarded TORs and also as per

the generic structure proposed in EIA Notification 2006. The Summary EIA Reports (both in English and

Telugu) along with Draft EIA Report have been submitted for conducting the Public Consultation/Public

Hearing.

2.0 Description of the Environment 2.1 Environmental Setting

The Mine area falls in Survey of India Topo Sheet No. 65 D/1 (Fig. 1.2) with Co-ordinates 16

051’00.8” N to

16051’50.7” N Latitude and 80

006’16.6” E to 80

006’51.9” E Longitudes. Other than Reserved Forests, no

ecologically sensitive areas viz. National Park/Sanctuary/Biosphere Reserve/Wild Life Corridors, etc. exist

within 10 km radius of the mine. There are 8 Reserved Forests falling fully/partly within 10 km radius area

from the boundary. Vedadri Temple, a famous Pilgrimage Centre is at 4.9 km in south-southeast. River

Paleru drains the area, flows adjacent to the mine lease area in the west and confluences into River

Krishna which flows at a distance of 2.7 km in the south from the mine. Nagarjuna Sagar Left Bank Canal

flows at about 5.4 km in E direction.

Mandal Head Quarters Jaggayyapeta is at a distance of 2.5 km in northwest. Jayanthipuram (50 m; E),

Jayanthipuram Tanda (60 m; N) and Kavutuvari Agraharam 0.6 km; W) are the minor settlements near

the mine. Vijayawada Town is at a distance of 60-70 km in SE. District Head Quarters Machilipatnam is

at 130 km in SE direction from the mine. There are major Cement Plants along with their Captive

Limestone Mines and Captive Power Plants in the study area. RCL Jayanthipuram Limestone Mine

(North Band) (Pits 1 & 2) is at a distance of 0.3 km in the north. Ravirala (Forest) Mine is at a distance of

2.5 km (ESE) and Budawada Mine is at a distance of 1.6 km in west. Jayanthipuram Cement Plant is at a

distance of 1.1 km in NNW from the Mine.



2.2 Baseline Environmental Status

The study area of 10 km radius (from Lease boundary) (Fig. 3.1) has been considered for assessing the

baseline environmental status. Considering the Environmental setting of the project, project activities and

their interaction, environmental regulations and Standards, following Environmental Attributes have been

included in EIA Study.

Site specific Micro-meteorological Data from Core Zone for a Season on wind speed, wind direction

(wind roses), temperature, humidity, cloud cover, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, etc.

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring at 12 locations on 24-hourly basis, continuously for 2 days in a week

for 4 weeks in a month for a season for the parameters as per NAAQ Norms Revised as per GSR

826 (E) dated 16.11.2009 for Industrial, Residential, Rural and other Areas.

Noise Level Measurements at all air quality monitoring station for Leq, L-day and L-night values once

in the Season.

Water Quality Monitoring – grab sampling once in the Season for : Surface Water (8 locations) as per

CPCB Norms; Mine Pit Waters (3 Locations) as per IS:10500 Norms & Ground Water (9 Locations)

as per IS:10500 Norms.

Soil Quality Monitoring at 6 locations once in the Season for: Textural & Physical Parameters &

Nutrients.

Land use pattern based on Satellite Imagery.

Biotic Attributes for Flora & Fauna - Core zone & Buffer zones

Socio-Economic Profile, based on 2011-Census and Household Survey, once in the study period for:

Total Population / Household Size / Age, Gender Composition, S.C / S.T, Literacy Level,

Occupational Structure, etc.

The summary of baseline status is given in Table 1.

Table : 1 Environmental Baseline Status

Period : Dec. 2019-Feb. 2020

Envl. Component Parameters Minimum Maximum Mean Applicable Norms

Ambient Air Quality (24-hly), ug/m

3

PM2.5 10.6 41.7 20.9 60

PM10 20.7 65.8 40.1 100

SO2 7.1 19.2 12.0 80

NOx 7.8 21.4 13.9 80

Ambient Noise, dB(A) Leq-day 40.9 46.6 43.4 55

Leq-night 38.2 44.3 41.6 45

Workzone Noise, dB(A) Leq 47.2 62.3 - 85.0

Surface Waters, mg/l TDS 280 430 - 500/2100

Ground Waters, mg/l TDS 340 510 - 500-2000

Soil Status

Texture - - Silty Loam -

EC, mmhos/cm 1.02 1.87 - 0.2-0.5

SAR 2.05 3.35 - <5

The findings of baseline environmental status of the study area are summarized below :

The collected meteorological data during this season represented the local weather phenomena.

The monitored ambient air quality in the study area was found to be in compliance with the National

Ambient Air Quality (NAAQ) 24-hourly Norms for Industrial, Residential, Rural and other areas.



Monitored Ambient Noise Levels (Leq) during day and night times were found to be well within the

MoEF&CC Norms.

Workzone Noise Levels were found to be in compliance with OSHA Standards for 8-hours exposure.

The water quality of surface waters were found to be in compliance with CPCB Norms.

The ground water quality was found to be in compliance with the IS:10500-2012 Norms.

The soil in the study area would very well support vegetation after amending it suitably.

There is no eco sensitive area exists in the study area and only domesticated animals exist.

The area is thinly populated and basic amenities are available almost in all villages.

Thus, there is adequate buffer for the proposed Project in the physical, biological and edaphic

environments of the study area.

3.0 Anticipated Environmental Impacts

Any Project would create impact on the environment in two distinct phases viz. Construction Phase which

may be regarded as temporary & short term and Operation Phase which would have long term effects.

The impacts have been divided into two categories, viz. Localised and Cumulative. The impacts have

been assessed for the Project assuming that the pollution due to the existing industrial activities has

already been covered under baseline environmental status and continue to remain same till the operation

of the project.

3.1 Construction Phase

Being an existing Mine, it does not involve any major establishment or construction. Predominantly

Vertical Exploitation in the Lease Area is proposed on Expansion along with 5 Ha area included for mining.

3.2 Operation Phase

For Cumulative Impact Assessment, RCL’s existing industrial activities in the Study Area are considered.

3.2.1 Water Environment

Mining in JPM SB Mine has intersected the Ground Water-table. The influence zone due to mine pit

dewatering is about 690 m which falls within the mine lease area. With annual averaging, the seepage

inflow into the Mine Pit is assessed as 746 KLD and the Rain water realization is about 807 KLD. Thus,

the Total Water generation in JPM-SB Mine is about 1,553 KLD. As and when the water is filled up in the

bottom most Sump, it is being pumped out by 37 KW Pump intermittently into a Settling Tank and after

the treatment, for further utilization in the Mine (150 KLD), Recharge (350 KLD), Public Supply, etc.

RCL has obtained the Permission/NOC from the APWALTA (Ground Water Department) for (i) Dewatering

12,365 KLD of Mine Pits Water for carrying out Mining Operations in 4 Nos. Captive Limestone Mines and

(ii) for usage of 7,000 KLD of dewatered water from Mine Pits for their Cement Plant, CTPP, Colony and

associated 4 Nos. Captive Mines located at Jayanthipuram vide File No. PRR05-11028/45/2018-SLNA-

GIS-CORD dated 06.07.2019.


Cumulatively, about 12,458 KLD was the Ground Water realization, including Rain Waters, in the 4 Mine

Pits viz., Jayanthipuram (North Band), Jayanthipuram (South Band), Raviral (RF) and Budawada (forest)

Mines. About, 12,125 KLD (97.23%) Mine Pits Water was utilized gainfully

In an average, about 59.16% of dewatered water from these Mines was utilized for the Industrial Use,

38.16% was utilized for Public Use (including Irrigation of nearby Agricultural Fields) and balance 2.68%

was in the Mine Pits.

3.2.2 Land Environment

Geologically, the Phyllites is successively underlained by cement grade Limestone and Green Shaly

Limestone. The Over Burden (OB) Soil is brown to reddish in clolour with thickness varying from 0.5 m to

9.0 m BGL. At Conceptual Stage, the effective Mining area of JPM SB Mine Lease out of 88.35 Ha,

would be 49.55 Ha. An area about 14.41 Ha will be used for dumping the OB Wastes. Green Belt will be

developed in 22.00 Ha (24.09% coverage) in the Mine.

About, 16.10 million cu.m OB wastes will be generated from the Working Mines till Conceptual Stage.

Out of which, 5.7 million cu.m OB will be used for Backfilling & reclaiming the mined out Pits and balance

quantity will be in dumps & bunds. Backfilling & Recaliming of the mined out Pit is not there in JPM SB

Mine.

While, the Cement Plant has 172.745 Ha of Green Belt (52.37% coverage), the Working Mines will have

99.76 Ha of Green Belt at Conceptual Stage. Thus, a total 272.505 Ha will be under Green Belt (26.74%) in

the effective Industrial Area both the Cement Plant and its Captive Mines. About 24.55 Ha will be

Backfilled & reclaimed area of the 3 Working Mines.

3.2.3 Traffic Impact

Raw and Finished Materials of the Cement Plant are being transported by both Rail and Road Modes.

There are 398 Truck movements in a day now. On Expansion, 21 Truck movements in a day will be the

additional traffic. The existing traffic volume in the Project-Village Road to Chillakallu Junction was found

to be 1,480 PCU/day. The entire Traffic Volume due to the Plant is in northern parts of the Study Area.

Limestone transportation takes place entirely in southern side of the Plant. JPM NB Mine is located

adjacent to the Plant & Crusher (0.1 km aerial distance) with 1 km lead from Mine Pit. JPM SB Mine is at

2.2 km with a lead distance of 3.0 km from Pit Head to Crusher. Ravirala (RF) Mine is with 4.5 km Haulage

Road. These Mines have their own Haulage Road. JPM SB Mine Haulage Road just crosses the Major

District Road (MDR)-220 (Jaggayyapet-Vedadri Road) before leading to the Crusher in own Haulage

Road through JPM NB Mine. Thus, the transportation of ore is not through any Public/Village Road.

The existing traffic volume in the Project vicinity was found to be 517 PCU/day. In the Post-Project

Scenario, there will be an addition of 374 Tippers to the existing traffic from the Mine. Cumulatively, the

traffic volume in the Project vicinity on Expansion will be 1,356 PCU/day. The net increase (cumulative) will

be 839 PCU/day only. The existing Haulage Road is adequate to handle the proposed addition of traffic

volume. Adequate parking is provided and there will not be any outside Truck Parking in the Mine vicinity.

Facilities for drivers (rest room, toilet, etc.) are also provided.


3.2.4 Air Environment

The monitored Pollutant Levels were found to be in Good Air Quality Index in the Project vicinity. In

general, dust generation (Particulate Matter) in the mines are due to Drilling & Blasting, Excavating,

Loading and Transporting activities. Controlled Emissions are also computed using AERMOD View

Software. The maximum incremental GLC of PM2.5 due to Cumulative Operations of all operating Plant &

Mines is 6.79 ug/m3 (Table 4.16). The maximum incremental GLC of PM10 due to Cumulative Operations of

all operating Plant & Mines is 17.07 ug/m3. As per the prediction, Adequate Buffers (53.85% in PM2.5 &

42.83% in PM10) exist in the Air Environment for the proposed Expansion activity.

3.2.5 Noise & Vibration

As approved by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and Directorate of Geology & Mine Safety (DGMS),

controlled blasting technique is adopted to reduce the noise and ground vibrations. Blasting is carried out

only during the day times. The monitored peak particle velocity (PPV) and noise levels during the blasting

is periodically monitored through ‘Minimate’ Instrument and found to be well within the DGMS norms for

residential areas.

The noise levels due to the HEM operations is maintained at <85 db(A) at a distance of 1.5 m from the

sources. In general, noise generated by these sources will be within the limit of 90 dB(A) prescribed by

Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Dhanbad. The work force will be exposed to <85 dB(A) levels

during the 8-hours Shift. Ambient Noise level at the boundaries would be maintained <55 dB(A) during

day times and <45 dB(A) during night times, well within the MoEF Norms for Residential and Rural

Areas.

3.2.6 Biological Environment

There is no cutting of trees or clearing of bushes, etc. due to the proposal within the Lease. There is no

habitat fragmentation or blocking of migratory corridors due to Project activities since there is no wild life

movement or migratory birds movement in the study area. Also, there is no Schedule-I Fauna exists in the

vicinity and thus, no Conservation Plan is envisaged. Thus, there will not be any significant impact on the

existing flora-fauna of the area. RCL has developed an effective Green Belt which will have significant

long term positive impact on the environment.

3.2.7 Socioeconomics

As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), various socio-economic measures carried out. Cost of

various socio-economic activities carried out for the surrounding villages during the Period 2003-04 to

2018-19 was Rs.7.95 Crores- i.e., nearly Rs. 0.50 Crores per annum. Some of the major initiates taken are

as follows:

Medical camps conducted in nearby villages. 38 Nos. of medical camps conducted in nearby villages

in the financial year 2016-17 and medicines are being distributed at free of cost.

Water supply for agriculture fields at Jayanthipuram Village. Water supply for Jayanthipuram village,

Dharmavarapupadu Thanda village & Budawada village (in summer season) for safe drinking water.

Arrangements for Krishna Pushkaralu like food arrangements at Vedadri, shed construction Vedadri,

etc.


Financial assistance for floor replacement work Chennakeshava Swami Temple, Jaggaiahpet.

Financial assistance for lymphatic filariasisi affected persons through LEPRA society at Jaggaiahpet

Mandal.

Financial Assistance for Literacy Programme at Dharmavarapupadu Thanda for Women through

Akshara Vayojana Vidya.

There are 388 direct employees and 1,398 indirect employees, thus, total 1,786 employees working in

KSR Nagar Cement Plant, Power Plant and Captive Mines. It is to be mentioned that about 185

employees (10.34% of total employees) are from Jayanthipuram village and about 985 employees

(55.15% of total employees) are from local villages of Jaggayyapeta Mandal. Based on the details

collected by Household Survey, the following assessments are made. In general, there have been the

following demands/expectations from the public:

Job opportunities.

Training of local youths for suitable jobs.

Training in computer typing, driving heavy vehicles, etc.

Employment for older people as security personnel, watchman, etc., and unskilled women in

gardening, cleaning, etc.

Facilities like ambulance, health care, educational, community centres, etc.

The widely adopted Matrix Method for Evaluating the Impacts of a Project in its environs is used in this

study for evaluating the impacts. The total impact value is +650 which favours the implementation of the

Proposal. The total impact source is an assertive, positive score. Also, all indicated mitigative measures

for pollution control in EMP shall be implemented in the post-project scenario by the Project Proponent to

enhance the positive impacts.

4.0 Environmental Monitoring Programme

Periodical monitoring of the ambient air quality (in 4 locations) as per Revised NAAQ Norms, fugitive

emissions (4 locations), ambient noise levels (at boundaries & workzone areas), water (4 surface and 4

ground waters; once in a season) and soil quality (Green Belt and OB Dump areas, once in a season)

shall be undertaken. The periodical status reports shall be submitted to APPCB monthly, IBM Quarterly

and MOEF&CC Monitoring Cell as Half Yearly Status Reports.

5.0 Additional Studies

Detailed risk assessment and mitigative measures are delineated and an effective Disaster Management

Plan, for natural and man-made disasters, is also submitted.

6.0 Project Benefits

Effective utilization of Minerals for blending with raw materials in Cement manufacturing is one of the

Mineral Conservation Measures adopted by the Company. The expansion Project will bring additional

Rs.4.00 Crores investment to the Region and improve the local and regional economy.

Present employment is 21. The mine will employ totally about 80 persons directly and indirectly after

expansion.


A budget of 1% of the additional Project Cost will be allotted as CER Budget. In addition, for the

mandatory District Mineral Foundation (DMF) @ 30% of Royalty Amount will also be contributed.

The direct & indirect employment, CER & CSR activities, etc., will have a positive impact on the

Occupational Structure of the area. The Proposal will be beneficial and important to the Society and the

Country by way of :

Royalty to the Exchequer.

Improved local and regional economy.

Direct and indirect employments.

Improvement in direct and indirect means of livelihoods of local population.

7.0 Environmental Management Plan

Environmental Management Plan (EMP) are suggested to mitigate the possible negative impacts that

may be caused to the various attributes of environment due to the proposed mining operations. The

proposed EMP for the existing Mine’s Expansion are herewith suggested.

7.1 Construction Phase

Being an existing Mine, it does not involve any major establishment or construction. Thus, there will be no

Establishment Phase for the proposed Production Enhancement of JPM SB Mine.

7.2 Operation Phase

Land Environment : At Conceptual Stage, the effective Mining area of JPM SB Mine Lease out of

88.35 Ha, would be 49.55 Ha. An area about 14.41 Ha will be used for dumping the OB Wastes. Green

Belt will be developed in 22.00 Ha (24.09% coverage) in the Mine. The following EMP Measures are

proposed :

Construction of Earthen Bunds along the Lease boundaries is made to arrest wash-offs and to

prevent soil erosion.

Garland drains are constructed with proper gradients around the Lease as well as Dumps.

Maintenance of garland drains has to be carried out periodically.

Effective Green Belt with thick foliage has to be developed and maintained along the Lease

boundaries and slopes of the Dumps.

Top Soil has to be spread as top capping for Green Belt development.

The balance part of excavated Mine Pit has to be converted into a water reservoir.

The water reservoir would be used for Rain Water Harvesting for the benefit of nearby villages.


Traffic Impact : The existing traffic volume in the Project vicinity was found to be 517 PCU/day. In the

Post-Project Scenario, there will be an addition of 374 Tippers to the existing traffic from the Mine. The following EMP Measures are proposed to mitigate the impacts due to Traffic :

Compliance to ‘Pollution under Control’ Certification has to be ensured for the Tippers and to be

checked periodically.

Ore transporting Tippers are to be fully covered with Tarpaulin.

No overloading of Tippers is allowed strictly.

A strict Spped Limit of 30 km/hr. has to be enforced and monitored continuously.

Regular wetting of haul roads has to be undertaken to arrest the fugitive emissions.

Restriction of Truck parking in the Public Road has to be implemented.

Regular and preventive maintenance of transport vehicles has to be ensured.

Effective Green Belt with thick foliage has to be developed and maintained along the haul roads.

Security Guards are be placed at the Public Road-Mine Haulage Road Junction to handle the inward

and outward vehicles.

Ambient Air Quality : The Drilling & Blasting, Excavating, Loading and Transporting activities would

generate both fugitive dust emissions and smoke from Heavy Earth Moving (HEM) Machineries and

Transporting Tippers. Fugitive Dust generation in the Lease areas are to be controlled by :

Consent to Operate under Air Act from APPCB has to obtained and renewed periodically.

Ambient Air Quality and the Fugitive Emissions Monitoring in the Mine vicinity have to be carried out

periodically as per IBM, EC & CFO Conditions and the Status Reports are to be submitted to the

Authorities as required.

Water sprinkling on the mining areas, loading point, haul roads, etc. has to be carried out.

Wetting of haul roads is to be carried out periodically.

Covering of trailers/tippers with tarpaulin is to be done during the transportation.

Avoiding over loading of Tippers is to be adopted to avoid spillages.

Periodical maintenance of mine equipments has to be carried out and replacement of worn out

accessories has to be made.

Periodical maintenance of Tippers has to be carried out.

Periodical check up of vehicles for ‘Emission Under Control’ measures is to be ensured.

Effective Green Belt with thick foliage has to be developed and maintained.

Noise Levels : The source of noise are due to running of HEM Machineries, loading and transportation

by Tippers. The noise levels due to the HEM operations is maintained at <85 db(A) at a distance of 1.5

m from the sources. The following EMP Measures are proposed :

Both Ambient and Workzone Noise Levels Monitoring are to be carried out and the Status Reports

are to be submitted to the Authorities as required.

Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) and Noise Levels during the blasting are to be monitored and submitted

as per DGMS Norms.

Wet Drilling has to be adopted.

Controlled Blasting is to be carried out and during day times only.

Deploying HEM equipments will be with in-built ecostic mechanism for reducing noise.

Provision of silencers is to made to modulate the noise generated by the machines.

Provision of ear muffs/ear plugs are to be provided the Workers in higher noise zones.


Effective Green Belt with thick foliage has to be developed and maintained along roads and around

lease boundary to act as acoustic barriers.

Water Environment : Mining in JPM SB Mine has intersected the Ground Water-table. The influence

zone due to mine pit dewatering is within the mine lease area. The Mine Pit Water, after the treatment, is

utilized for the Mine Usage (150 KLD), Recharge (350 KLD), Public Supply, etc. The following EMP

Measures are proposed :

Consent to Operate under Water Act from APPCB has to obtained and renewed periodically.

Ground Water NOC has to be renewed periodically.

Water Quality of both Surface and Ground Waters Monitoring in the Mine vicinity have to be carried

out periodically as per IBM, EC & CFO Conditions and the Status Reports are to be submitted to the

Authorities as required.

Periodical recording of water level data and quality from the existing Piezometers are to be

maintained and data to be provided periodically.

The increased Mine Pit Water has to be utilized gainfully by increasing the supply to nearby Villages

for Domestic Consumption as well as to nearby agricultural fields as the current practice.

Mine Pit Water will not be directly discharged into nearby Rivers/Streams without ensuring the

quality.

Effective Rain Water Harvesting Measures are to be continued for utilizing every rain drop.

Effective Green belt is to be develoiped in large scale in and around the lease area.

Garland drains and Settling Tanks are to be maintained and desilted periodically.

Biological Environment : There is no cutting of trees or clearing of bushes, etc. due to the proposal

within the Lease. There is no habitat fragmentation or blocking of migratory corridors due to Project

activities since there is no wild life movement or migratory birds movement in the study area. The

following EMP Measures are proposed :

Effective Green belt with native species is to be developed and maintained all along the boundaries,

haul roads, waste dumps, reject dump, etc.

Stabilization of dumps with proper vegetation cover has to be carried out.

Socioeconomics, CSR & CER : As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), various socio-

economic measures carried out. Cost of various socio-economic activities carried out for the surrounding

villages during the Period 2003-04 to 2018-19 was Rs.7.95 Crores- i.e., nearly Rs. 0.50 Crores per annum.

There are 388 direct employees and 1,398 indirect employees, thus, total 1,786 employees working in

KSR Nagar Cement Plant, Power Plant and Captive Mines. It is to be mentioned that about 185

employees (10.34% of total employees) are from Jayanthipuram village and about 985 employees

(55.15% of total employees) are from local villages of Jaggayyapeta Mandal. The following EMP

Measures are proposed :

Joining Hands with District Administration in implementing Govt. Schemes and local developments.

Committed for Infrastructure Facility in the Region.

Financial support to Govt. Schools.

Provision of Ambulance for the villages and other medical facilities.

Contribution to Education in the area.

Carrying out various welfare activities for the benefit of the local population.


About 1% of the additional Project Cost of Rs.4.00 Crores viz. Rs.4.00 Lakhs will be allotted towards the

Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER) Budget in compliance with MoEF&CC OM F. No. 22-

65/2017.IA.III dated 01.05.2018 which will be updated for the Public Hearing Issues also.

Occupational Health : The objectives are : to achieve zero accident and safe work environment, to

improve moral and health of all employees and to maintain the emission levels below the norms. A full-

fledged Occupational Health Centre (OHC) exists with a dedicated occupational health specialist doctor

with supporting staff in the Colony premises. The following EMP Measures are proposed :

All employees are to undergo Medical Check-up on recruitment and periodically during employment.

Maintenance of Pre, during & Post Employment Records are to be kept for periodical review.

Standard operating procedures for all operations with respect to occupational safety and health are

to be in place.

Provision of ergonomically designed seats for drivers/operators has to be ensured.

Provision of illumination facilities are to be made at proper places of mines for ease of working during

night times.

Work comfort and its periodic review by a Committee are to be enusred.

Provision of all Personal Protective Equipments for the employees are to be provided.

Provision of Rest Shelters at Mines has to be made.

Provision of cool drinking water to employees has to be made.

Plastic Waste Management : There will be ban on one-time use and throw away Plastic usage in

the Lease. RCL will encourage the use of eco friendly alternative such as banana leaf, areca nut palm

plate, stainless steel glass, porcelain plates / cups, cloth bag, jute bag etc.

7.3 EMP Budget

The total Project Cost will be Rs.8.25 Crores including the additional Project Cost of Rs.4.00 Crores for

the Expansion. Presently, an amount of Rs.27.50 Lakhs has been earmarked as Capital EMP Budget and

Rs. 22.00 Lakhs per Annum is the Operating Cost towards EMP measures, Green Belt maintenance,

Environmental Monitoring, etc.

Financial Assurance for RoMP period works out to be Rs.1,95,84,000/- which has been submitted in the

form of a Bank Guarantee to RCOM, IBM, Hyderabad.

***

Documents

The Ramco Cements Limited Expansion of Jayanthipuram ... - JPM-SB Mine... · The Ramco Cements Limited Expn. of Jayanthipuram Limestone Mine (South Band) (88.35 Ha; 0.5 to 1.75 MTPA),