Environmental Clearance Granted for The Orissa Minerals Development Company Ltd’s Belkundi Iron & Manganese Ore Mine Project
The Orissa Minerals Development Company Limited (OMDC) has been accorded Environmental Clearance (EC) for its Belkundi Iron & Manganese Ore Mine project in Keonjhar, Odisha. This clearance covers the operations of the mine, which is set to support significant industrial output and includes plans for comprehensive ecological conservation and socio-economic development across affected communities.The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) granted the EC in response to the project proposal submitted by OMDC, affirming the project’s viability under specific environmental conditions.
Project Overview and Capacity
The Belkundi Iron & Manganese Ore Mine is situated in the village of Belkundi, located within Barbil Tahasil, Sub-Division Champua, Dist-Keonjhar, Odisha. The project encompasses a total area of 1276.79 Hectares (as per RoR) or 1276.949 Hectares (as per DGPS).The mining operation is planned with substantial production capacity and necessary processing infrastructure:
| Component | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Iron Ore Production | 1.8 MTPA |
| Manganese Ore Production | 0.3 MTPA |
| Crusher Installation | 100 TPH and 200 TPH |
| Screening Plant | 400 TPH and 200 TPH |
Comprehensive Environmental Commitments
The approval is subject to strict adherence to specific environmental conditions, including the implementation of a detailed mitigation plan. The project proponent has committed to significant financial outlay for remediation and augmentation over the first three years of EC grant.A total budget of Rs 4,81,41,000/- has been allocated for the Remediation Plan, Natural Resource Augmentation Plan (NRAP), and Community Resource Augmentation Plan (CRAP).
The financial breakdown of the remediation plan is detailed below:
| Plan Category | Budget Allocation (INR) |
|---|---|
| Remediation Plan | 1,04,66,000/- |
| Natural Resource Augmentation Plan | 1,78,50,000 |
| Community Resource Augmentation Plan | 1,98,25,000 |
| Total | 4,81,41,000/- |
Key components of the mitigation and augmentation plans include:
- Afforestation: The company has committed to afforestation inside the premises. Plant species, including Karanja (Pongamia Glabra), Simaria (Bursera simaruba), Neem (Azadirachta), and Mango (Mangifera indica), are designated for plantation.
- Water Management: Funds have been allocated for rainwater harvesting at 15 buildings per year across beneficiary villages, with a total budget of Rs 90,00,000/- over three years.
- Community Development: Projects such as the provision of RO (Reverse Osmosis) water coolers at schools and hospitals in local villages, and training programs for youth are slated for implementation within the first three years.
Operational Goals and Resource Management
The project aims to ensure sustainable mining practices across various dimensions:| Aspect | Key Requirement/Goal |
|---|---|
| Transport | Ore transportation mode (SOTM) is regulated based on EC capacity, with plans for railway network development in the region. |
| Worker Safety | Provision of occupational health surveillance and establishment of a dedicated Environmental Management Cell has been mandated. |
| Resource Planning | The company submitted project details including geological reserves and mineable reserves to the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) as part of the ongoing planning process. |
The approval includes stringent conditions regarding pollution control, requiring continuous monitoring for air and water quality parameters by both the mine lease holders and regulatory bodies over a period of five years.
ORISSAMINE Stock Price Movement
Today, The Orissa Minerals Development Company Limited shares edged higher to close at ₹5003.2 after gaining 3.38%. The stock saw a total traded volume of 53,443 shares during the session.Disclaimer: Due care and diligence have been taken in compiling and presenting news and market-related content. However, errors or omissions may arise despite such efforts.
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