Mining in the Himalayas: an integrated strategy

234 Pages·2016·9.917 MB·English

by  Soni, A. K

MINING IN
THE HIMALAYAS
An Integrated Strategy

MINING IN
THE HIMALAYAS
An Integrated Strategy
A. K. Soni
CRC Press
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I dedicate this book to the victims of the April 25, 2015,
earthquake that gripped the Nepali Himalayas.
Let us dive into a good book to conserve nature!

Contents
Preface ......................................................................................................................xi
Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................xv
Author ..................................................................................................................xvii
Abbreviations ......................................................................................................xix
1. The Indian Himalayas: Mining and Mineral Potentiality ....................1
1.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................2
1.2 The Himalayas .......................................................................................3
1.2.1 Typical Characteristics of the Himalayas and
Their Fragility ...........................................................................6
1.3 Hill Areas Comparable to the Himalaya ...........................................9
1.4 Mineral Potential of the Indian Himalayas: An Account .............10
1.5 Assessment of Commercial Exploitation .........................................17
1.6 Mining in the Himalayas ...................................................................20
1.7 Current Status of the Mining Practices in the Indian
Himalayas ............................................................................................24
1.8 Legal Repercussions of Mining in the Himalayas .........................33
Appendix 1.A: Mining in Doon Valley .......................................................36
Appendix 1.B: Doon Valley Notification Dated 1 February 1989 ...........37
2. Existing Practices: Critiques and Lacunae ..............................................45
2.1 Case Studies .........................................................................................45
2.1.1 Kashlog Mine: Mining and Environmental Practices ......46
2.1.2 Mining of Soapstone in the Himalayan Hills ....................53
2.1.2.1 Salient Details of Mine Lease Area......................54
2.1.2.2 Excavation Method ................................................54
2.1.2.3 Environmental Measures ......................................55
2.1.2.4 Society ......................................................................56
2.1.3 Magnesite Excavation in the Kumaon Himalayas ............57
2.1.3.1 Jhiroli Magnesite Mine ..........................................57
2.2 Critique .................................................................................................62
2.3 Lacunae of Mining and Environmental Practices..........................66
2.3.1 Land Management Practices and Loss of Vegetation .......66
2.3.2 Blasting, Vibrations, Noise and Air Overpressure ...........67
2.3.3 Air Quality and Air Pollution ..............................................68
2.3.4 Disposal of Waste ...................................................................69
2.3.5 Hydrological Problems .........................................................69
2.3.6 Open Mine Layout and Its Design ......................................69
2.3.7 Small-Scale Mining ................................................................70
2.3.8 Problem of Dimension of Mining Lease and Its Period ...70
vii
viii Contents
2.3.9 Environmental Planning, Practices and Enforcement .....70
2.3.10 Destabilized Hill Slopes/Rock Slopes ................................72
2.4 What Are the Environmental Issues of Concern? ..........................75
2.5 Statutory Provisions and Environmental Standards .....................76
3. Eco-Friendly Perspective of Himalayan Mining ...................................79
4. Solutions: New, Practical and Eco-Friendly Ideas for the Himalayas .....89
4.1 Predictive Assessment of Geological Conditions ...........................89
4.2 Solutions for Responsible Mining in the Himalayas .....................91
5. Environmental Attributes: Two Niche Areas .......................................113
5.1 Part I: Environment Degradation Index ........................................113
5.1.1 Environmental Indices ........................................................114
5.1.2 Development of the EDI ......................................................114
5.1.2.1 Sensitivity Function .............................................116
5.1.2.2 Index Variable and Index Number ....................118
5.1.2.3 Procedure for Calculation of EDI .......................118
5.1.2.4 EDI Scale ................................................................122
5.1.3 Site of Study ..........................................................................123
5.1.4 EDI versus Cost of EPC .......................................................128
5.1.5 Inference Drawn ..................................................................129
5.2 Part II: Environmentally Friendly Transportation Practices
for Hilly Mines ..................................................................................130
5.2.1 SFRC Chute (Alternate A) ...................................................130
5.2.2 Vertical Silo with Conveyor Arrangements
(Alternate B) ..........................................................................130
5.2.3 Shaft–Adit Combination or the SAC Method
(Alternate C) .........................................................................132
5.2.4 Ore Slides in Rock (Alternate D) ........................................133
5.2.5 Overland Belt Conveyor (OLBC, Alternate E) ..................135
5.2.6 Gravity-Operated Skips on Guided Rails at Surface
(GOSS, Alternate F) ..............................................................136
5.2.7 Other Advanced Alternatives ............................................136
Appendix 5.A: Air Quality and Water Quality: Prescribed Indian
Standards.......................................................................................................137
6. Integrated Strategy and Best Practice Mining ......................................143
6.1 Integrated Approach/Strategy ........................................................143
6.1.1 Developmental Planning ....................................................145
6.1.1.1 Ecology ...................................................................147
6.1.1.2 Society ....................................................................148
6.1.2 Benefits of Advanced Development Planning .................150
6.2 Large-Scale versus Small-Scale Mining (SSM)
in the Himalayas ...............................................................................152
Contents ix
6.3 Best Mining Practice .........................................................................153
6.4 People’s Participation in Environmental Management ...............176
6.5 Role of Organization .........................................................................177
7. Environment-Oriented Development ....................................................179
7.1 Development Imperatives ................................................................179
7.2 Affected Environment ......................................................................180
7.2.1 Environmental Performance Assessment ........................181
7.2.2 Air Quality ............................................................................182
7.2.3 Water Quality .......................................................................182
7.2.4 Land Degradation Assessment ..........................................183
7.2.4.1 Restoration of Derelict Land ...............................184
7.2.5 Noise, Vibration, Air Overpressure and Fly Rock ..........185
7.2.6 Biological Environment Assessment .................................186
7.2.6.1 Ecosystem Protection ...........................................187
7.2.6.2 Climate Change ....................................................187
7.3 Roadmap ............................................................................................188
7.3.1 Lessons Learned ..................................................................190
Appendix 7.A: Land Management Strategy ............................................191
8. Parvatadhiraj: The Himalaya ...................................................................195
8.1 Responsible Mining ..........................................................................195
8.2 Epilogue ..............................................................................................196
Himalayan Mining: From Real to Reel (Memories Down the Lane) ......199
References ...........................................................................................................207
Suggested Reading ............................................................................................215
Index .....................................................................................................................219