PRESSURES FROM THE MINING INDUSTRY

In all cases demand for mining products is increasing. As a result there is pressure for opening up more mines. Most of the mines, however, are found in ecologically sensitive areas like forests, coasts, important wildlife places and bio-diverse areas. Some mining projects fall in tribal areas. Naturally, they affect the lives of the tribals. In the process of exploring, vast lands are dug up and soil thrown away on the mine beds. Later on, the mines are covered with soil. This leads to change in the character of the soil. It also leads to degradation of the land.

Trees are also cut during the mining process leading to ecological imbalance.

Water resources also diminish when mining is done, reducing the local geological features. Due to the mining activity severe air and water pollution occurs in the area. Some mining operations have touched the ground water table at the quarry floor. The stored water is pumped out and used for plantation, plant purposes and for agriculture. Periodic testing of water quality is needed.

During mining operations, smoke and dust is generated due to drilling and blasting, loading and unloading, transport and crushing of limestone.

The Environment Impact Assessment studies, prior to the start of mining activity, do not fully take into account the impact on bio-diversity. In some areas heritage monuments and sacred caves with rich bio-diversity have been badly affected due to mining.

The small scale mining activity in our state is widespread. However, certain intensive mining areas have come up which are being exploited by marginal entrepreneurs. The latter are unable to make ground for the protection of environment due to financial constraints and other lease or local related problems.

With the global awareness of environmental protection and financial constraints due to the increasing cost of waste handling, it has become essential

1. to upgrade the quarrying technology so as to improve mineral recovery and reduce generation of waste.

2. to reclaim the degraded land and rehabilitate the dumps by afforestation to create a greener belt.