MEETING HELD ON 18th-19th JUNE 2012 IN SCOPE COMPLE

36REPORT ON THE SITE VISIT TO NIMBRI - CHANDWATAN LIGNITE MININGPROJECT AREA OF M/S BINANI CEMENT LTD. LOCATED IN NIMBRI VILLAGE,JAYAL – DEGANA TEHSIL, NAGAUR DISTRICT (RAJASTHAN)1.0 Background1.1 The proposal of Environmental Clearance for the proposed Nimbri – ChandwatanLignite Mine (5 MTPA) of M/s Binani Cement Ltd. In Village Nimbri, Tehsil Jayal –Degana, District Nagaur in Rajasthan was discussed for the 1 st time during 57 thmeeting of the earlier EAC (T&C) held on 28 th – 29 th Oct’ 2009. After detaileddeliberations, the Committee observed as under:-“The Committee observed that the life of the mine is merely 12 yearsand since the linked TPP requires an assured supply of lignite, theproject does not appear to be feasible without long-term availability oflignite. The Committee desired to have the status of the EC for the linkedTPP projects. The Committee noted that the persons are being providedemployment under R&R for only a short period of 12 years only andwould cease thereafter. The Committee noted that objections have beenreceived on the proposed project from the locals and particularly inregard to loss of livelihood, loss of agricultural land especially irrigatedland, and loss of wetlands found within the ML area. A letter dated25.06.2008 has also been received from Krishi Zila Parishad, Nagaur,Govt. of Rajasthan, on the loss of agricultural land for the project. TheCommittee observed that the CGWA clearance is restricted to use ofgroundwater for drinking. The Committee further observed, that thedetails of treatment mine water with high TDS levels and disposal ofbrine sludge requires further details. The committee also observed thatin view of presence of deeper confined saline aquifers in the area, theproponent should take adequate safeguards (including monitoring) formining the deeper coal seams. In this context, the proponent explainedthat a detailed hydro-geological studies including pumping tests havealready been conducted by them during EIA. Additionally, a specificstudy related to ‘strata depressurization’ has already beencommissioned by them to ensure safe mining. The study will becompleted within a period of two months. The Committee desired thatthe following additional information be sought on the hydrogeologyissues:(i)The impact of mining on deeper and shallow aquifers & nearbyponds/water bodies.(ii)The issues on abstraction and disposal of saline water during dewatering ofdeeper confined aquifers.