PRE-FEASIBILITY REPORTenvironmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/Online/TOR/0_0... · 2015. 8. 22. · PRE-FEASIBILITY REPORT Of RANAVAV LIMESTONE MINE (3 1.28ha) Village & Taluka-Ranavav,

PRE-FEASIBILITY REPORTOf

RANAVAV LIMESTONE MINE (31.28ha)Village & Taluka-Ranavav,

District-Porbandar, Gujarat

Applicant:M/s SAURASHTRA CHEMICALS(A Division of Nirma Limited)Birlasagar, Porbandar, Gujarat-360576Submitted By:

MANTEC CONSULTANTS PVT. LTD.ENVIRONMENT DIVISIOND-36, SECTOR-6, NOIDA, U.P.-201301











PROJECT: RANAVAV LIMESTONE MINE (31.28 Ha) PRE-FEASIBILITY REPORT APPLICANT: M/s. SAURASHTRA CHEMICALS DIVISION OF NIRMA LTD.

MANTEC CONSULTANTS PVT. LTD. Page i

Contents List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................... iv

List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................... iv

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ 1

2. INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT/BACKGROUND INFORMATION ............................................. 2

2.1 Identification of Project ...................................................................................................... 2

2.2 Identification of Project Proponent .................................................................................... 3

2.3 Brief Description of Nature of the Project .......................................................................... 4

2.4 Need for the Project and Its Importance to the Country or Region ................................... 4

2.5 Demand-Supply Gap ........................................................................................................... 4

2.6 Imports Vs. Indigenous Production ..................................................................................... 5

2.7 Export Possibility ................................................................................................................. 5

2.8 Domestic/Export Markets ................................................................................................... 5

2.9 Employment Generation ..................................................................................................... 5

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................ 6

3.1 Type of Project Including Interlinked and Interdependent Projects, If Any ....................... 6

3.2 Location ............................................................................................................................... 6

3.3 Details of Alternate Sites ..................................................................................................... 9

3.4 Size or Magnitude of Operation .......................................................................................... 9

3.5 Project Description with Process Details ............................................................................ 9

3.6 Raw Material Required Along With Estimated Quantity, Likely Source, Marketing Area of

Final Product/S, Mode of Transport of Raw Material and Finished Product ................................ 13

3.7 Resource Optimization/ Recycling And Reuse .................................................................. 13

3.8 Availability of Water Its Source, Energy / Power Requirement And Source..................... 13

3.9 Quantity of Wastes to be Generated (Liquid And Solid) And Scheme For Their

Management/ Disposal ................................................................................................................. 13

4.1 Connectivity ...................................................................................................................... 14


MANTEC CONSULTANTS PVT. LTD. Page ii

4.2 Landform, Land-use And Land Ownership ........................................................................ 14

4.3 Topography ....................................................................................................................... 14

4.4 Existing Land Use Pattern ................................................................................................. 15

4.5 Existing Infrastructure ....................................................................................................... 15

4.6 Soil Classification ............................................................................................................... 15

4.7 Climatic Data from Secondary Sources ............................................................................. 15

Long Term Meteorology ................................................................................................................... 15

4.8 Social Infrastructure .......................................................................................................... 17

5. PLANNING BRIEF ....................................................................................................................... 17

5.1 Planning Concept .............................................................................................................. 17

5.2 Population Projection ....................................................................................................... 18

5.3 Assessment of Infrastructure Demand (Physical & Social) ............................................... 18

5.4 Amenities/Facilities ........................................................................................................... 18

6. PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE ................................................................................................... 18

6.1 Industrial Area (Processing Area) ...................................................................................... 18

6.2 Residential Area (Non Processing Area) ........................................................................... 18

6.3 Green Belt ......................................................................................................................... 18

6.4 Social Infrastructure .......................................................................................................... 19

6.5 Connectivity ...................................................................................................................... 19

6.6 Drinking Water Management ........................................................................................... 20

6.7 Sewerage System .............................................................................................................. 20

6.8 Industrial Waste Management ......................................................................................... 20

6.9 Solid Waste Management ................................................................................................. 20

6.10 Power Requirement & Supply/ Source ............................................................................. 20

7. REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT (R&R) PLAN ................................................................. 20

8. PROJECT SCHEDULE & COST ESTIMATES .................................................................................. 20

8.1 Likely Date Of Start Of Construction And Likely Date Of Completion .............................. 20


MANTEC CONSULTANTS PVT. LTD. Page iii

8.2 Estimated Project Cost Along With Analysis In Terms Of Economic Viability Of The

Project 21

9. ANALYSIS OF PROPOSAL (Final Recommendations) ................................................................. 21


MANTEC CONSULTANTS PVT. LTD. Page iv

List of Figures

Figure 1: Project Location Map ............................................................................................................ 7

Figure 2: Environmental Sensitivity Map ............................................................................................ 8

Figure 3: Operations in Limestone Mining ........................................................................................ 10

List of Tables

Table 1: Regulatory Compliance .......................................................................................................... 2

Table 2: Employment Generation (direct) .......................................................................................... 5

Table 3: Coordinates of the Mine Site .................................................................................................. 6

Table 4: Geological and Mineable Reserves (million tonnes) ............................................................ 9

Table 5: Blasting Parameters ............................................................................................................. 11

Table 6: Land-use Pattern of Mine Site .............................................................................................. 15

Table 7: Predominant Month Wise Wind Directions ........................................................................ 16

Table 8: Green Belt Details ................................................................................................................. 19


MANTEC CONSULTANTS PVT. LTD. Page v

List of Annexure

Annexure-1 : Lease deed

Annexure-2 : Earlier Environmental Clearance

Annexure-3 : Scheme of Mining Approval

Annexure-4 : Authenticated Map indicating distance of Barda WL Sanctuary from mine site

Annexure-5 : Application for NBWL Clearance

Annexure-6 : License for explosives


MANTEC CONSULTANTS PVT. LTD. Page 1

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Saurashtra Chemicals (a unit of Nirma Group), has proposed project of Ranavav Limestone Mine

for expansion in production capacity from 10,000 to 2,00,000 TPA of limestone from an area of

31.28ha at survey no. 37/2p & 55/1p, village Ranavav, Taluka Ranavav, District Porbandar,

State Gujarat.

As per the Gazette Notification dated 14th September 2006 and its subsequent amendments

later, the proposed project has been classified as Category “A”, because general condition is

applicable to the project due to the presence of Barda Wildlife Sanctuary within 5 km radius of

the mine lease area.

The mine is at a distance of 2.97 km from the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary. Jambuvanti cave,

an archeological site, is at a distance of about 4.5 km from the mine lease. NOC from

Directorate of Archaeology, Government of Gujarat has been obtained vide letter no.

ARL/7/2007/43/2120 dated: 03-04-2008. Sea is at 14.60km distance from the mine lease.

Naliadhar Reserve Forest is 1.4 km NE.

The mine lease area of the project is classified as Government waste land. The lease area

does not involve any forest area. The topography of the area is flat to undulating and

reported to lies between 21°40'44.87"to 21°41'8.54" N Latitude and 69°45'17.6" to

69°45'46.32"E Longitude. The general elevation of the lease area varies from 26-32 m AMSL.

The ultimate pit bottom will be at 7m bgl. The mine working will be opencast by employing

both surface miners and semi-mechanized method involving drilling and blasting. Only

manual sizing will be done. The mine working will not intersect groundwater table. The peak

water requirement for the project is estimated as 6.5 KLD, which will be sourced from

nearby Dharampur-Kajawadri Limestone mine and groundwater.

The life of mine is 12 yrs. It is estimated that 40,000 TPA of undersized limestone will be

generated, which will be waste and will be stacked out of mined out pit. There will be no

external overburden dump. At the end of mine life, an area of 5.98 ha will be covered under

plantation and an area of 25.3 ha will be covered under water body.

The capital cost of the project is Rs. 25.0 Lakh and the annual recurring cost for the

environment protection measures is proposed as Rs. 6.0 Lakh including pollution control

and monitoring.



Table 1: Regulatory Compliance

Documents Approval Date Valid Up-to Letter Number

Original Lease Deed 31.01.1981 29.07.2001 By government of Gujarat letter

number MCR/1579(S-56)834/chh

Renewal of Lease

Deed

29.07.2001 29.07.2031 As per Section 8A(5) of Mines &

Minerals (Development &

Regulations) Amendment Ordinance-

2015 dated 12.01.2015

Mining Plan 09.8.1999 2003-2004 By RCoM, IBM, Udaipur, letter number

682(23)904/98-MCCM (N) Udp

Scheme of Mining 19.8.2004 2008-2009 By RCoM, IBM, Udaipur, letter number

682(23)MS-267/2004 MCCM (N) Udp

Scheme of Mining

Renewal

26.10.2010 31.03.2015 By RCoM, IBM, Udaipur, letter number

682(23)MS-560/2010 MCCM (N) Udp

Scheme of Mining

Renewal

20.04.2015 2016-17 By RCoM, IBM, Udaipur, letter number

682(23)560/2010 MCCM (N) Udp

Environmental

Clearance

17.09.2014 16.09.2019 By MoEF IA Division letter number J-

11015/1227/2007-IA.II (M)

2. INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT/BACKGROUND INFORMATION

2.1 Identification of Project

The project proposal is for expansion of existing Ranavav Limestone Mine for extraction of

limestone from 10,000 TPA to 2,00,000 TPA. The mine lease area of 31.28 ha is a government

waste land which is located at survey no. 37/2 & 55/1 Part, Village-Ranavav, Taluka-Ranavav,

District-Porbandar, State-Gujarat. As per EIA notification 2006 and its subsequent amendments

later, the project activity has been categorized as “Category-A” due to the presence of Barda

Wildlife Sanctuary at a distance of 2.97km from the mine lease area in North direction.

Mine lease was sanctioned in favour of M/S Saurashtra Chemicals, Porbandar vide Govt. of

Gujarat order no. MCR/1579(S-56)834/chh dated 31.01.1981 (Refer Annexure-1). The mining

lease was executed for 20 years with effect from 30.07.1981 for a period of 20 years up to

29.07.2001. The lessee had applied for its renewal on 24.07.2000 and the application was under

process with the State Government. Meanwhile the Mines & Minerals (Development &

Regulations) Amendment Ordinance-2015 came into effect on 12.01.2015 and as per Section



8A(5) of it, the period of Mining lease be deemed to have been extended up-to the period of 50

years from the date of grant i.e. up to 29.07.2031.

The project has obtained Environmental Clearance for the production capacity of 10,000 TPA

dated 17.09.2014 by MoEF IA Division vide letter number J-11015/1227/2007-IA.II (M) (Refer

Annexure-2). Renewal of Scheme of Mining for a period of 2015-2017 has been done dated

20.04.2015 by RCoM, IBM, Udaipur vide letter number 682(23)MS-267/2004 MCCM (N) Udp

(Refer Annexure-3).

2.2 Identification of Project Proponent

Saurashtra Chemicals, the project proponent, having its registered office at Birlasagar,

Porbandar–360576, was incorporated under Indian Companies Act-1931, on 22nd August, 1951,

as Salt and Allied Industries Limited. Its name was changed to Birla Salt and Chemicals Limited

vide fresh certificate of incorporation dated 15th September, 1989. Subsequently, its name was

changed to Saurashtra Chemicals Limited (Saukem) vide fresh certificate of incorporation

consequent on change of name, issued by the registrar of companies, Gujarat on 25th March,

1999. The company was taken over by the Nirma Group, in the February 2006, as Sick Company,

classified & declared by Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR).

As per the Scheme, the appointed date of amalgamation is 1st April, 2011. From this date, all the

assets and liabilities of SCL have been transferred and vested into Nirma Ltd. The scheme has

become effective from 9th February 2013. Consequent upon the amalgamation, the erstwhile

SCL would now be recognized as “Saurashtra Chemicals, Division of Nirma Limited”.

The State Government vide its order no. MCR/102013/ML-29/CHH, dated: 02.11.2013 has

granted the permission for replacing the name of “M/s Saurashtra Chemicals Limited” by “M/s

Saurashtra Chemicals Division of Nirma Limited” in respect of all the existing Mining Leases of

the Company.

The company has manufacturing facilities at Birlasagar, Porbandar, in the State of Gujarat since

1955, where it manufactures Soda Ash (Light and Dense), Sodium Bicarbonate (refined and

Technical Grade). The company is using Solvay Method of soda ash production. The entire

limestone production from the mine is proposed for the manufacture of Soda Ash. No part of the

product is proposed to be sold to any other party.



2.3 Brief Description of Nature of the Project

Ranavav Limestone Mine is an existing mine, hence it does not require to clear vegetation or any

building in mine lease area. Project does not require any Forest Clearance as no forest land is

involved or CRZ Clearance but it requires Wildlife Clearance due to the presence of Barda

Wildlife Sanctuary at a distance of 2.97km from the mine lease in north direction (Refer

Annexure-4). Applicant has applied for NBWL clearance (Refer Annexure-5).

The project has been proposed for extraction of chemical grade limestone by opencast manual

method with drilling and blasting. Pits will be excavated up-to the ultimate depth of 7m bgl for

extraction of chemical grade limestone. The Limestone mineral will be mined out by opencast

mining method by bench formation each of not exceeding 3.0 meters with the help of drill

machine & jack hammer with Air Compressor. The blasting will be done mainly with ANFO as

column charge and slurry explosives as base charge. Sizing & Loading of limestone will be done

manually. The operation process will involve development, winning of ore and loading of

mineral into the trucks for transportation to destined places.

There will be no waste generation at this mine, no backfilling is feasible. Hence, lower portion of

the mined out area shall be used for rainwater storage.

2.4 Need for the Project and Its Importance to the Country or Region

Limestone is very important industrial mineral and is the principal raw material for the

production of soda ash and clinker for cement etc. The entire limestone production from

Ranavav Limestone mine is proposed to be sent to M/s Saurashtra Chemicals Soda Ash

manufacturing unit at Porbandar. Extracted limestone will not be sold to any other party. The

Soda Ash based limestone mining industry contributes significantly to the State Gross Domestic

Product and provides direct and indirect employment to nearby laborers.

The products of SAUKEM’s Soda Ash Plant, Porbandar, especially soda ash, are a vital input for a

number of basic industries such as glass, pulp & paper, chemicals and detergents besides others.

Consequently, this project aims at keeping many of the key industries within the country well

supplied with an essential raw material.

2.5 Demand-Supply Gap

The capacity of the Soda ash plant of 0.408 Million Tonnes per year, the requirement of chemical

grade limestone is 0.81 Million Tonnes/Year. Only part of the requirement i.e. 0.20 Million

Tonnes is proposed to be met from this mine.



At present, the company’s annual requirement for chemical grade limestone is about 0.81

million tones (Sized), part of which are sourced from captive mines and the balance from

domestic and overseas merchants. The gap between the annual demand and the quantity of

sized limestone received from captive mines is substantial and thus the company intends to

bridge this gap by winning limestone from the proposed project.

The need for mining of the chemical grade limestone from the project (mine lease area) has

arisen to meet the current situation of demand supply gap faced by company.

2.6 Imports Vs. Indigenous Production

The proposed project is expected to bring down the procurement of limestone from domestic as

well as overseas suppliers.

2.7 Export Possibility

The entire production of limestone will be used by Soda Ash plant of M/S Saurashtra Chemicals

located at Porbandar. No part of the product is proposed to be exported.

2.8 Domestic/Export Markets

The proposed mining activity is for obtaining limestone for indigenous consumption in

manufacture of soda ash in SAUKEM Soda Ash plant.

2.9 Employment Generation

About 156 local personnel will get direct employment from this mine. The manpower will be

mostly skilled, semi-skilled and un-skilled. The permanent workers will be employed in other

mines in case of closure of mine. Proposed project will also give opportunity for indirect

employment.

Table 2: Employment Generation (direct)

S. No. Designation Number

1. Mine Manager under Reg 34 of MMR 1961 1

2. Mining Engineer under Rule 42(1)(b) of MCDR 1988 1 (part time)

3. Geologist 1

4. Mine Foreman 1

5. Mining Mate 2

6. Blaster 1

7. Drill Operator 4



8. Semi-skilled (helpers) 3

9. Un-skilled 142

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

3.1 Type of Project Including Interlinked and Interdependent Projects, If Any

The proposed project does not have any interlinked project.

3.2 Location

Ranavav Limestone mine lease, measuring 31.28 hectares (ha), is a captive mine of Saukem, and

is in survey no. 37/2 & 55/1 Part of Ranavav village in Ranavav Taluka of Porbandar district,

State Gujarat. Coordinates of the mine lease are given below in Table-3:

Table 3: Coordinates of the Mine Site

Latitude 21o41’8.54” N to 21o40’44.87” N

Longitude 69o45’46.32” E to 69o45’17.6” E

The mine is at a distance of 2.97 km from the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary. Jambuvanti cave,

an archeological site, is at a distance of about 4.5 km from the mine lease. Sea is at 15 km

distance from the mine lease. Naliyadhar Reserve Forest is at 1.4 km NE.

Location Map of the mine site and environmental sensitivity map of the project is given below in

Figure-1 & 2 respectively.



Figure 1: Project Location Map



Figure 2: Environmental Sensitivity Map



3.3 Details of Alternate Sites

No alternative site has been examined as it is an existing mine already in possession of

Saurashtra Chemicals and allotted for the purpose of mining by the state government.

3.4 Size or Magnitude of Operation

Limestone: A part of limestone has already been mined manually by pits within the lease area.

The maximum thickness of the limestone horizon within the lease is about 9 meters,

whereas thickness of chemical grade limestone is 1 to 7 m (max.) & cement grade is also 2 to

2.5m (max.).

Table 4: Geological and Mineable Reserves (million tonnes)

Limestone Grade UNFC Code Geological Reserves Mineable Reserves

Chemical Grade 111 4.50 2.45

Total 4.50 2.45

Life of Mine

Total mineable reserves of chemical grade = 2.45 million tones limestone

Total production in next five years = 1.0 million tones

Remaining reserves at the end of 5 years = 1.45 million tones

Rate of production per year = 0.20 million tones

Life of the mine at the end of five year period = 07 year

Total life of the mine = 12 years

3.5 Project Description with Process Details

Method of Mining

The manual opencast mining will be carried out. There is no overburden in the area. Mining in

general will be carried out by forming benches up to 2.0 to 3.0 m height. The sides of the

benches have slopes at a safe angle not more than 45 degree from horizontal. Excavated ROM

will be subjected to manual sizing into fraction of +25 mm to – 100 mm. The yield of sized

limestone will be around 85%, undersize limestone will be around 10% and remaining 5% as

mining losses. Mining losses are on account of dust generation during drilling / blasting, wash

off from the area etc. This sized limestone will be loaded into trucks manually and dispatched to

the lessee’s Soda Ash Plant. Remaining 10% of undersize material will be stacked on the worked



out pit floor. Drilling and blasting will be also carried out by using air compressor and 65/110

mm drill machine / jack hammer drill.

Quarry limits of all workings are planned with a 7.5 mtrs statutory barriers against the lease

boundary or roads existing in the lease hold. All haulage roads, the alignment of which keeps on

changing depending upon the working in the pit, joins the existing surface roads of the lease

hold. Four Wheeled Trolley attached to tractor will be generally used for movement of mineral.

The mineral transported out of the lease hold will be with the help of tippers and trucks.

All pit working will be securely fenced as per the standards prescribed by DGMS. Approach

roads to pit faces shall be maintained as required.

Mining will be carried out for chemical grade limestone only. In the available thickness of 7 m of

deposit, two benches are proposed to be developed. Width of bench is proposed to at 3 - 4 m.

Operations to be done in mining of limestone is given below in Figure-3.

Figure 3: Operations in Limestone Mining

Blasting

The limestone being medium hard category requires some drilling and blasting for excavation.

To maintain a bench height of 3 meters, drilling by 65/100 mm dia drill machine, is

recommended. Powder factor on an average is kept as 4 tonnes per kg of explosive in the initial

stages. However in future effort will be made to improve upon it. Blasting frequency is

recommended as twice in every six days (i.e. twice a week). Benches shall be kept sloped at an

angle of 15o from the vertical. (i.e. 75° from the horizontal) Same angle of slope shall be

maintained for drill /blast holes also. With 3 m. high benches, sloped at an angle of 15° to



vertical, the bench slope height shall be 3.1 m. and with sub-grade drilling of 0.2 m. the depth of

shot holes to be drilled shall be 3.3 m.

Blasting parameters for limestone having 3m average height are given in Table-5 below:

Table 5: Blasting Parameters

Particulars Dimensions

Bench height (m) 3

Hole depth (m)

(including 10% sub-grade drilling)

3.3

Burden (m) 1.2

Spacing (m) 1.5

Volume (m3) 1.2 x 1.5 x3.0 = 5.4

Tonnage yield (t) 5.4x2=10.8

Powder Factor (assumed) 4t/kg of explosive

Charge per hole (kg) 10.8/4 = 2.7

Total quantity of rock to be

Broken per day (tonnes) in 3rd year

667

No of holes to be blasted per day 667/10.8 = 62

Explosive required for blasting twice per day 667/4=167 kg/day

Blasting Pattern

For every hole, one delay detonator would be used. Blasting would be done by using short

delay action detonators to reduce ground vibration. Holes would be connected in a row “in

series” and the rows “in parallel”, i.e. “Series –parallel” connection would be made at the

time of blasting. Double row blasting would be preferred to single row so as to cut down on

the number of blasts required for maintaining production.

S (spacing)

O O O O O O O O O O

B (burden)

O O O O O O O O O O

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Type of Explosives to Be Used

Various types of explosives such as ANFO, slurry, emulsion etc. will be used for blasting. Since

ANFO is cheaper and economical, it will be used as much as possible except in rainy season.

Delay detonators or Nonel detonating fuse will be used since multi row system of firing will be

carried out so as to reduce the ground vibration, noise, fly rock etc. due to blasting. Sequential

blasting techniques using sequential blasting machine shall be used to reduce explosive charge

per delay to a minimum to reduce ground vibration.

Storage of Explosives

Company’s centralized magazine is situated near Dharampur – Kajawadri village, 15 km from

the mine (Refer Annexure-6). The total capacity of the magazine is 4500 kg of class 2 explosive,

30000 detonators, 40000 mts of detonating fuse and, 10000 mts of safety fuse approved by

Petroleum & Explosive Safety Organization (PSPO). The explosive from the magazine to the

mine shall be transported using licensed explosive van. At present the capacity of the magazine

is considered adequate hence no additional magazine is proposed.

Precautionary Measures

Adequate precautionary measures will be taken as given below:

Adequate siren system will be in operation.

Legible warning sign in the language understood by the local people.

Enough security guards, especially posted on roads etc.

Before blasting the upper surface of the bench shall be cleaned off any stones lying

above, as it is a major source of flying stones.

The trunk line of the detonating cord shall be covered with sand to reduce air over

pressure, as it is major source of air blast noise.

Controlled blasting shall be practiced and only between 12 Noon and 2PM.

All safety measures as prescribed under MMR 1961 and circulars issued by DGMS.

An effective record of instruction to guards given for working and clearance shall be

maintained.

Transport of Explosives

Transportation of explosives will be done by an “explosive van (Potable)” approved by PESO.



Frequency of Blasting

The blasting activity is proposed to be carried out during day time (Lunch Break).The frequency

of blasting will be based on requirement of ROM/ Sized chemical grade Limestone.

3.6 Raw Material Required Along With Estimated Quantity, Likely Source, Marketing Area

of Final Product/S, Mode of Transport of Raw Material and Finished Product

For the purpose of mining, materials required includes Explosives (15 TPA), ammonium nitrate

(35TPA) High Speed Diesel (0.3 KLD) and Machinery spares. The final product from this mine

will be sized limestone which will be transported SAUKEM soda ash manufacturing plant at

Porbandar.

3.7 Resource Optimization/ Recycling And Reuse

The undersized material blended with the non-chemical grade limestone, which are

basically of chemical grade composition, will provide limestone raw material for the

nearby cement plants having much above the total carbonate requirement for cement grade

limestone.

3.8 Availability of Water Its Source, Energy / Power Requirement And Source

3.8.1 Water Requirement

Water requirement for human consumption, plantation and dust suppression will be 6.50 KLD,

which shall be met from the ground water sources form Saukem’s nearby Dharampur limestone

mines (ML-18.21 Ha).

3.8.2 Power

No electrical power shall be required for operations as the mining will be worked out during

day time only in one shift. Minimal power required for office shall be taken from the general

electric supply of the area.

3.9 Quantity of Wastes to be Generated (Liquid And Solid) And Scheme For Their

Management/ Disposal

3.9.1 Solid Waste Generation & its Disposal

There is neither any overlying waste stratum nor any overburden. Hence, no overburden or

mine reject generation is anticipated during the mining operations. After sizing, sized material

will be transported to the Soda ash plant located at Porbandar.



3.9.2 Liquid Effluent

There will be no waste water generation from Mining activities. However, a small amount of

domestic wastewater generation will happen as a result of water used by humans, which will be

disposed in soak pits.

4. SITE ANALYSIS

4.1 Connectivity

The mining site is approachable by Tar road / NH-8B from Mine site as well as Ranavav village.

SH-27 is 0.10km and NH-8B at 0.50km away from the mine site in south direction. The nearest

Railway Station to the mine site is Ranavav Railway Station at a distance of 3.69km in NW

direction and nearest Airport is Porbandar Airport at 10.70km in SW direction.

4.2 Landform, Land-use And Land Ownership

Landform

The mine lease area is a plain terrain.

Land Use

The land use of the mine lease area is classified as government waste land (barren land).

Land Ownership

The designated mining lease has been granted in favour of M/S Saurashtra Chemicals ( a unit of

Nirma Group)

4.3 Topography

The mine lease area at present exhibits almost plain topography which will marginally change

during operation of mine and at the end of the proposed mining, due to digging of shallow pits

upto 3.0 m depth. The general elevation of the core area varies between 26m to 32m AMSL.

Local Geology

The leasehold area is part of Miliolitic Limestone belt of the Saurashtra region, having

widespread exposure of limestone. The encroached portion is having some soil cover, but

believed to be underlain by Miliolitic Limestone.

The limestone formation is practically horizontally bedded and off-white to buff color. The

Limestone is soft, porous and friable in nature also compact, hard and boulders at places. The

thickness of bed varies from 2 to 9 m. The variation is due to undulating basalt floor.



The upper layer of limestone occurring up to 25.0 mRL is chemical grade limestone. This is

further underlain by 1.5 m thick of cement grade limestone. There is no top soil or overburden

in the lease area.

4.4 Existing Land Use Pattern

The land-use pattern of core area at present, at the end of Plan period (2016-17) and at the end

of mine life is given as below in Table-6:-

Table 6: Land-use Pattern of Mine Site

S. No. Particulars Area in Hectare

Present End of Plan period

(2016-17)

End of mine life

i. Pits & Quarries 11.789 17.20 24.16

ii. Dumps of ore , waste & OB 0.04* 5.27 *

iii. Mineral Stack

iv. Infrastructure including of

office, Workshop & Roads

0.65 0.65 0.65

v. Plantation 0.10 4.50 5.98

vi. Others - remaining land 18.701 8.93 0.49

Total occupied Area 31.28 31.28 31.28

* staking of undersized in mined pits

4.5 Existing Infrastructure

It is an existing mine. Site services such as mine site office, rest shelter, first aid room, drinking

water facilities, mineral stock yard, and weigh-bridge had been provided in compliance of Mines

Act 1952 and Mines Rule 1955.

4.6 Soil Classification

It is dark grey to brownish detrital material derived from the weathering of the country rocks

and contains occasional nodules and kankars, small fragments of fossil shells, besides small

piece of weathered volcanic.

4.7 Climatic Data from Secondary Sources

Long Term Meteorology

The climate in the region shows broadly four seasonal variations, namely:



Winter : December – February

Summer : March – Mid June

Monsoon : Mid June – September

Autumn : October - November

Nearest IMD station from the lease area is Porbandar Airport. It is located at a distance of

12.00km in North West direction. Long Term Climatological Tables, 1951-1980 for IMD station

Porbandar (A) were studied as secondary source and on its basis information on temperature,

wind, rainfall, cloud cover, humidity is presented here under.

Temperature

Maximum temperature recorded during the 30 years data is 45.5°C recorded on May 2, 1979.

Minimum temperature recorded is 4.7°C recorded on January 22, 1962. April is normally having

the warmest day (peak temperature of 39.8°C) while October is the warmest month (average

peak temperature of 34.3°C). January generally has the coldest day (minimum temperature

9.1°C) and is also the coldest month (average minimum temperature of 13.7°C).

Wind

Long term wind direction data indicates that the predominant wind direction during the study

period is observed to be from W and NW directions. Predominant Month Wise Wind Directions

are given in Table-7.

Table 7: Predominant Month Wise Wind Directions

Predominant

Wind

Direction

First Predominant

Wind Direction

Second Predominant

Wind Direction

Third Predominant

Wind Direction

Month Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening`

January CALM W NE N N NE

February N W NW/

CALM

N NE NE/NW

March NW W N NW CALM SW

April NW W N SW W NW

May W W SW SW NW NW

June SW SW W W S/NW S

July SW SW W W NW NW

August SW SW W W NW NW



Predominant

Wind

Direction

First Predominant

Wind Direction

Second Predominant

Wind Direction

Third Predominant

Wind Direction

Month Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening`

September W W SW SW NW NW

October NW W N SW / NW CALM N

November CALM W NE N N SW

December CALM W NE N N NE

Cloud Cover

The area remains cloudy between June - September, which is the active period of the monsoon

season. Generally cloud cover ranges from 6 to 7 Oktas during this monsoon season.

Rainfall

The total rainfall in a year is observed to be 639.9 mm. Distribution of rainfall by season is 4.3

mm in winter (December, January, February), 3.8 mm in summer (March, April, May), 594.3 mm

in monsoons (June, July, August, September) and 37.5 mm in Autumn(October - November).

Humidity

Most humid conditions are found in the monsoons, followed by summer, summers and winter in

that order. Mornings are more humid than evenings and humidity ranges from a high of 80-86%

in monsoon mornings to a low of 40-45% in winter evenings. During summer season, in the

morning humidity remains between 59-74 % and in the evening it remains between 47-58%

4.8 Social Infrastructure

The social infrastructure like educational facilities (primary and higher secondary schools),

drinking water supply, post and telegraph, public transportation and hospitals are by and large

available in the study area.

5. PLANNING BRIEF

5.1 Planning Concept

Opencast manual mining method will be adopted for limestone mining. Project will produce

Limestone @0.20 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum, which will be used as raw material for

production of soda ash in Porbandar Soda Ash plant of Saukem. All required infrastructure is

already available.



5.2 Population Projection

As per Census 2011, total population of Ranavav village is 62,678. There will be no influx in

population as local persons will be deployed for the proposed project. About 146 local persons

will get direct employment from this mine (156 total employment).

5.3 Assessment of Infrastructure Demand (Physical & Social)

Adequate infrastructure facilities are available in the vicinity of mine lease area and due to the

mining activities; no extra infrastructure over and above the existing infrastructure is required.

5.4 Amenities/Facilities

Some facilities which will be given are as follows:

Proper site services such as First Aid, Rest Shelter, and Drinking Water will be provided

to the mine workers.

During operation phase, ear plugs, dust masks and dust goggles will be provided to

workers.

Mobile phones & walky talky shall be used for communication.

Appropriate security arrangement shall be made by project proponent.

Fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with legal requirements.

6. PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE

6.1 Industrial Area (Processing Area)

Required Infrastructure is already available as it is an existing mine. So, same infrastructure will

be used.

6.2 Residential Area (Non Processing Area)

As the local personnel shall be employed for the mine site, so no residential building/housing is

proposed.

6.3 Green Belt

The year-wise afforestation programme under the green belt (safety zone) and non-mineralized

area for five years will be as under in Table-8:-



Table 8: Green Belt Details

Years No. of Plants Area (Ha)

1st 250 0. 10

2nd 250 0. 10

3rd 250 0. 10

4th 250 0. 10

5th 250 0. 10

Post plantation care: -

Protection from grazing.

Suitable protection by way of fencing and tree guards,

Protection from fire

The grass and bushes to be cleared from the plantation area and in this way 2 mtr radius

areas all around trees to be kept clear of such grasses and bushes.

Watering during dry spell: Frequent watering during dry spell.

Manuring: Cow and goat dung to be used..

Protection: Protection from pest by spraying insecticide.

Replacement Casualties: Replacement trees to be planted every year, for those who fail

to survive.

6.4 Social Infrastructure

As per the primary survey & secondary data available, mostly all social infrastructure facilities

are available in the vicinity of mine site in the study area.

Education: There exists Primary, Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools and colleges

Social Infrastructure like Hospitals, Post Office, Bank, Police Station, Bus Station facility

exists

Telecommunication, LPG services, marketing place exists

Recreation- Cinema hall, Sports infrastructure exists

However, in-line with the Social Responsibility Activities, Company would continue its CSR

activities depending on the local needs identified through EIA studies.

6.5 Connectivity

Site is well connected to existing road and rail network. There is no proposal to develop new

road and rail links.



6.6 Drinking Water Management

Water requirement for drinking and operations will be 6.50 KLD, which will be met from

ground water sources at Our Dharampur –Kajawadri Limestone Mine (ML-18.21 Ha).

6.7 Sewerage System

Domestic sewage shall be disposed off into septic tank followed by soak pits. As there will be no

township facility developed within the boundary so no permanent sewerage waste would be

there.

6.8 Industrial Waste Management

Not applicable, as the mining activity will not be generating any overburden or waste water. The

Spent (used oil) generated from operation & maintenance of mining machinery shall be

disposed as per applicable guidelines.

6.9 Solid Waste Management

There is neither any overlying waste stratum nor any overburden. Hence, no overburden or

mine reject generation is anticipated during the mining operations. After sizing, sized material

will be transported to the Soda Ash Plant at Porbandar. However, if some top soil is encountered

in pot holes, solution channels during mining, then it will be recovered carefully and used for

plantation purpose.

6.10 Power Requirement & Supply/ Source

No electrical power requirement for mining activities.

7. REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT (R&R) PLAN

The existing mine lease area is designated as government waste land and has no human

settlements and hence, no R & R is envisaged.

8. PROJECT SCHEDULE & COST ESTIMATES

8.1 Likely Date Of Start Of Construction And Likely Date Of Completion

After all statutory approvals obtained, company shall commence the mining operation for

proposed production after expansion.



8.2 Estimated Project Cost Along With Analysis In Terms Of Economic Viability Of The

Project

The capital cost of the project is Rs. 25.0 Lakh and the annual recurring cost for the

environment protection measures is proposed as Rs. 6.0 Lakh including pollution control

and monitoring.

9. ANALYSIS OF PROPOSAL (Final Recommendations)

The proposed project is expected to provide employment to local people in different activities

such as Mining, sizing, transportation and plantation activities. The project activity will not

have any major impact on the environment. At Post mining stage of proposed project, the

existing waste land shall be converted to water harvesting bodies and green belts.

Also the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives will have a positive impact on

socio economic fabric of the region.

The company provides the helping hand in the development of the nearby villages by following

ways:

Development of facilities within the villages like roads etc.

Arrangement of regular free of cost of medical check-up camp for the employees which

is also extended for the villagers.

Supply of drinking water in the period of scarcity to the nearby villages.

Up gradation of primary school in nearby villages.

Hence, this mine is in particular is feasible & economical.