SPCB Wants Action Plan on Chrome Ore Overburden
Published: 08th October 2015 06:22 AM | Last Updated: 08th October 2015 06:22 AM | A+A A-
BHUBANESWAR: With huge overburden of chrome ore creating environmental problems, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has directed that a comprehensive overburden management action be prepared for Sukinda Valley.
In a recent meeting with chromite mines, the pollution board has directed that all lessees of working and non-working chromite ore mines will have to prepare a comprehensive action plan for overburden management and submit the same by October 14.
The working and non-working mines, which are generating hazardous waste or likely to do so, have been instructed to comply with the provisions of Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules by October 14 or face closure.
The mine owners will have to indicate the number of active and non-active overburden dumps and if the dumping is being done as per the approved mining scheme. The lessees will also have to inform the area and current volume of overburden.
The SPCB has also asked them to point out if there are plans for re-handling of the overburden for recovery of chrome ore. The area stabilisation through plantation or with coir mat, proposal for progressive stabilisation, run-off management will have to be shared with the board.
The mine owners have also been asked to put in place systems for channelisation of the surface run off to the effluent treatment plant (ETP). The lessees have been warned against allowing any discharge outside without treatment.
The Odisha Mining Corporation, Idcol and Mishrilal Mines Pvt Ltd have been asked to complete upgradation of the ETPs for South Kaliapani, Tailangi and Saruabil Mines respectively. Till the time upgradation is complete, waste water must be adequately treated in the existing plants for compliance of the environment norms.
All the mines, which have not installed online and real time monitoring facilities at the inlet and outlets of the ETPs, have been directed to complete the same by month-end or face revocation of consent licence.
Tata Steel and OMC have been asked to wrap up installation of online monitoring in Damsal nullah by November.
