Impact on air quality

Mining operations contribute towards air pollution through addition of gaseous pollutants to the atmosphere and the increase in the load of suspended particulates. The gaseous pollutants include NOX, SOX, and Hydrocarbons. The major sources of pollutants from the proposed mining and cement production include the following:

Specific design features that reduce pollution load have been incorporated in the proposal by the project authorities. These design features include the use of tubular conveyor belt to achieve reduction in air pollution caused during transportation of crushed limestone from the captive mine to the cement plant. The emissions at the plant site would be reduced by specific provisions of glass bag house in the kiln to effectively reduce the particulate pollution. The proposed installation of electrostatic precipitator in the coal mill and cooler would ensure greater efficiency in reducing emissions. However, increased vehicular traffic due to transportation associated with the mine and plant site is expected to generate additional gaseous and particulate emissions. The increased load of traffic due to movement of over 600 additional trucks per day would further contribute to the increase in air pollution load. Particulate pollution would also be generated during blasting, loading and unloading operations and vehicular movement.

Impact on hydrology, water quality and availability

Removal of overburden and extraction of mineral from the lease area may affect water recharge in the surrounding drainage basin. The stream in the study area, Gangli khad, may experience impacts on water quality such as change in pH and in the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Suspended Solids (SS) as the surface run off from the mining operation area would carry silt along with high TDS and SS load.

Water availability in the study area is also a potential factor that could be affected by the mine and cement plant operations. Industrial water is required for the mining operations mainly for sprinkling on haulage roads and for suppression of dust on the mine faces. Water is also required for washing and servicing utilities for equipment. The water requirement for the cement plant and mines would be met by a nearby Gangal Canal and from borewells in Chambi. This might lower the water table thus affecting the water availability in the area.

Noise related impacts

Mining activities such as drilling and blasting for mineral extraction and excavation and transportation of material would inevitably cause noise pollution. Considering the geological nature of the rock formations in the area, the rocks being soft and friable in certain areas lend themselves to reduced blasting using lower explosive charge. This aspect, however, needs to be further clarified based on the results of studies conducted on the geology of the area and prediction models for noise levels.