CEMENT INDUSTRIES DO THEIR BIT

Despite the grim scenario, all is not yet lost. Industries and individuals, though slowly, are responding to the need to save our environment. The cement industry in particular has responded positively and has taken some steps to protect the environment.

As most of the limestone mines are captive for cement plants, most of the cement companies have taken up adequate measures in their plants such as installing electro static precipitators (ESP's) or filter bags which have a significant positive effect. In most mines due attention is given to the maintenance of equipment and this helps in controlling the pollution due to exhaust fumes in the different equipment. Regular dust control measures are also implemented in most mines.

Study of vibration tests is also carried out in most of the captive mines. Sequential blasting is being done to control the vibrations and fly rock. .

S.No.	Name of the Plant	Plant Survival Rate	Protection Measures in Operation
1.	Durga Cement Works limestone mine of M/s. Andhra Cements Ltd.	90%	- Extensive afforestation programme located all over the plant - Regular monitoring of air, water to detect adverse effects. - Monitoring noise pollution, to minimise vibrations due to blasting.
2.	Sitapuram Limestone mine of M/s. Sri Vishnu Cement Ltd.	80.8%	- To prevent dust generation dry type dust collector and wet type drilling is practiced. To suppress dust on haul roads and blasted mass, water is sprayed.
3.	Priyadarshini Cement limestone mine	-	Top black cotton soil removed during mining is immediately transported and used for plantation . - Matured land is reclaimed and converted to fruit gardens, extensive plantation in factory and colony area. Monitoring of ambient air, water quality. Anti dust compound PC added along with water for effective dust suppression. Noise survey is also being carried out.
4.	Basanth Nagar Limestone mine of M/s. Kesoram Cement	89%	Installation of electro static precipitation and bag house dust collectors. - Shock lubes (Raydets/Exel) and card relays are used to minimise ground vibration due to blasting.
5.	Jayanthipuram Limestone mine of M/s. Madras Cements Ltd	80-85%	Storage of top soil in a separate dump yard for afforestation. Dust extraction, ESP, bag filters are provided to prevent discharge of dust.
6.	Kakatiya Limestone Mines	-	To prevent dust discharge into air arrangement of water sprinklers is made. Waste material from mining operation is stacked in separate dump yard, bund is provided to prevent the escape of sediments into the nallah
7.	Jagayyapeta Limestone mine of Visakhapatnam steel plant.	55.21%	Ground vibration reduced due to blasting by use of card relays. - Plantation of over 1,36,970 trees in an area of 70 hectares - Beautiful parks development in township.
8.	Krishnapuram limestone mine of Raasi Cement Ltd.	-	During 1998-99, a tonnage of 16735 MT top soil was removed and spread in plantation in developing areas. Wet drilling system is arranged to suppress dust at drill sites Exel non electrical detonation used to control house and ground vibration.
9.	Cement Corporation of India, Adilabad	-	Waste dump management area of top soil (1.75 mts) under mining is removed and stacked over non-mineralised portion for future use.
10.	Tummalapeta Limestone mine of M/s. L&T	-	Provision of a green belt. Methods to minimise blasting control system and shock. Settling tank for water being pumped out to remove suspended solids.
11.	Talacheruvu Limestone mine of M/s. Pennar Cement Industries Ltd.	-	Wet drilling technique for dust supression during drilling. Ground vibration studies being carried out are under permissible limits.