Date : 28 July, 2004

 

Dear Sir,

 

Sub: Environment in Non-Coal Mines

 

It is acknowledged that there are only three main wealth generating activities : mining, farming and manufacturing. Mining profession, as old as mankind, producer of wealth with multiplier effect for the “treasuries of the nation” as per Kautilya, of late has received severe beating in its image as “spoiler of environment”. Due to irregular, unscientific and illegal mining of minor minerals in general and in fragile areas like Mussoorie, Aravalli Hills etc, by some, in collusion with vested-interest, misapprehensions, doubts and wrong impressions have been created among several sections of the society, specially, N.G.Os, judiciary and monitoring authorities.

 

Minerals which take hundreds of millions of years to form, and once mined get lost for ever, are just lying in the mother earth ready to be dug out. Mining being site-specific involves excavation and does disturb environment; but if done properly, following laws of the land, not only produces mineral wealth for all-round development , but also helps in rehabilitation of the land as planned-in fact in many cases better than the original by planting more trees, creating new water bodies and aesthetic landscape. Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. (Tamilnadu); Noamundi Iron Ore Mines (Jharkhand); Sesa Goa (Goa) are amongst the many shining examples of eco-friendly mining in India.

 

Real damage to ecology and environment, however, is taking place due to the following causes which need to be tackled firmly by the State and Central Governments :

 

(i) Grant of small leasehold areas sometimes as low as : 20x20 meters.

(ii) Grant of quarry leases for small periods sometimes one to five years only.

(iii) Auctioning of areas to the highest bidders.

(iv) Illegal mining in collusion with vested interests.

(v) Grant of leases for minor and other minerals consumed locally say within 25-30 kms regions, to parties which are technically and financially unsound.

 

Mining, though hazardous and risky, is one profession which has made maximum contribution and which can help in the development of remote, backward, poor tribal areas by providing employment, roads, schools, medical and other facilities. Unlike other sciences, mining is not only a science but also an art. No profession as such is good or bad. Gains or losses, merits and demerits depend on how best the laws are implemented and profession made use of. Mining, an age-old profession, has been responsible for the evolution and progress of mankind from cave man - stone age - iron - bronze - industrial revolution - electronics - and now to knowledge society.

 

Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), a premier institution representing non-coal mines in the country, constituted a Group of Experts under my Chairmanship, to study in-depth various aspects of environment in non-coal mines. I have pleasure in enclosing a copy of this report titled “Environment in Non-Coal Mines” which is a status report of the environment and ecology as well as community development. I hope it will help in allaying misapprehensions and doubts about the mining profession in the minds of society and those directly concerned with it. For any clarifications and explanation, you are free to contact us on the address mentioned on this letter-head.

 

Thanking you,

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

(G.L. TANDON)

CHAIRMAN - “GROUP OF EXPERTS”

…..click here to download preface

…..click here to download full report