chapter - 1 introduction - Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board

Hills Cement Co. Limited.
5.11 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF MINING
To control the adverse impacts of the mining activities well in time, a
suitable environmental management plan is formulated. The
environmental management plan in respect of mining project includes the
following actions to preserve the healthy environment-
• Restoration of the landscape by way of reclamation as near to its previous
status as possible, and to have an effective waste rock disposal
management.
• Avoidance of damage to the flora and fauna of the area.
• Minimization of the pollution of land, air, water and surrounding
environment by dust, smoke, gases and noise.
• Protection of water sources, water bodies and drainage patterns of the
area.
Abatement measures to reclaim the land-
Reclamation of degraded land due to mining is necessary. The
abandoned pit will be filled back with the already generated waste. But
some area will remain unfilled and such parts of the abandoned pit will act
as a water reservoir in which rainwater collected. This water is to be used
for irrigation of cultivated land in nearby vicinity.
Plantation of green plants in the surrounding area will also increase the
aesthetic value of the area.
Abatement measures to improve flora and fauna-
Plantation of suitable species of plants improves the floral growth in the
area. It will also provide opportunities to house fauna. Thus the
deteriorated condition due to mining automatically improves. The locally
available shrubs, bushes and grasses are proposed to be spread over the
surface during rainy season. Mine water, which is being pumped out from
the mine would get accumulated in tank for regular watering to the plants.
Abatement measures for Air pollution –Air pollution due to increase in
SPM load is expected in the present proposed mining operations under
study. Suitable control measures are required to be taken but the quality
of air in the area is natural clean air. Hence no special management would
be required.
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