Misconceptions
about the Environmental Impact of Heavy Minerals Mining
Heavy minerals are used in
many industries, but a blanket ban on sand mining has seen heavy minerals
mining suffer due to misconceptions that both activities are the same.
JAIPUR. On 6 August 2013 , the National Green
Tribunal declared a countrywide ban on sand mining without environmental
clearance across riverbeds and beaches in India .
On the face of it, the ban seemed perfectly in order. But months later, it’s
clear the ban is having far-reaching consequences affecting economic growth,
infrastructure development and human well being.
For instance, the heavy minerals
industry – that has nothing to do with sand mining – is affected by the ban
since it is confused with the latter. Heavy minerals mining (HMM) and sand
mining are two different activities. To begin with, HMM is undertaken along
seashores and coastal areas, whereas sand mining is done on riverbeds. In HMM,
10-15% is recovered as minerals, after which the residual sand is refilled into
the mined land. In sand mining, 100% of the material is used, so refilling is
ruled out. HMM is meant for the electronic, pharmaceuticals, paints, ceramics
and other sectors, while sand mining is done purely for the construction
industry.
While there are additional
differentiators between the two industries, the above points highlight the
disparate nature of both. Unfortunately, due to general misconceptions among
many stakeholders, the legal HMM industry has been unfairly impacted by the nationwide
ban on sand mining.
The general perception is that
HMM is not environment friendly, depletes water resources, reduces soil
fertility and permanently displaces large numbers of people. In the case of
legal HMM, however, these misperceptions do not reflect the ground reality. HMM
is not environment unfriendly because after raw sand is processed and heavy
minerals extracted, the sand is sent back by mechanized means to the mined area
for back filling simultaneously. Unlike other mining practices, HMM is the only
industry it is back filled.
To begin with, after raw sand is
processed and heavy minerals removed, the sand is pumped back by mechanized
means to the mined area for back filling. Adequate measures are taken to
maintain an eco-friendly environment. After extraction, the mineral-free sand
is returned to the mined areas and put under a green canopy through scientific
social afforestation techniques. In Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, for example, a
captive nursery has been established to supply saplings of identified species
for social afforestation. As the back filled area is afforested with local plant
species, the surroundings regenerate quickly and the plants hold the sand
together, minimizing any likelihood of erosion.
Regarding water wastage, this question
does not arise in areas where dry mining is used. Although wet mining is
practiced in Srikakulam, water is drawn from a river that flows into the sea,
making the issue of water depletion redundant.
Fears about falling soil
fertility are misplaced too. In fact, churning of the soil/sand boosts better
aeration, improving soil fertility. Additionally, unlike the mining of ores
that needs deep excavations, heavy minerals are available within eight metres’
depth. Similarly, sea-water intrusion fears are unfounded because the mining
area is not too large or deep, nor is mining done directly upon the beach, but
rather some distance inland.
Moreover, heavy minerals mines
are only taken on five-year lease, unlike iron ore and other forms of mining
where land is acquired on 30-year leases. After five years when the resources
run out, the land is rehabilitated as per law. Naturally, there is no permanent
displacement of people.
Incidentally, the entry of a
mining company into an area improves the local populace’s quality of life.
After a heavy minerals mining company began operations in Srikakulam, power,
water and roads followed quickly, benefiting the local people. Basic utilities
apart, health care facilities were also established soon, immensely benefiting
local villagers in an area that was previously undeveloped for decades.
Finally, despite notions to the
contrary, heavy mineral miners only begin operations after procuring numerous
approvals. Some of these include:
• Obtaining Terms of Reference
from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) for
conducting EIA/EMP (environment impact assessment) study.
• Obtaining NOC from Pollution
Control Board under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification.
• Conducting CRZ survey through
MoEF-approved government organization like the National Institute of
Oceanography (NIO) and obtaining certified CRZ map of the applied area.
• Obtaining CRZ recommendation of
the State Coastal Zone Management Authority.
• Conducting public hearing as
per Environment Impact Notification.
• Addressing all issues raised in
various studies/public hearings and obtaining environmental clearance from the
MoEF.
Clearly, misconceptions about
heavy minerals mining and the confusion with sand mining have led to the
industry being unfairly targeted. The sooner the blanket ban is lifted, the
better will it be for all the concerned stakeholders, including the people
whose livelihoods depend upon heavy minerals mining.
