Calcutta | Sept 06, 2015: Coal India's production road map for 2019-20 may take a hit following the suggestions of an environment ministry panel, which said the miner should not be given clearances for one-time capacity expansion by 50 per cent in existing projects without public hearing.

The state-run miner, however, hopes that the environment ministry will take a pragmatic view on the proposal, which was placed in a meeting between the environment and the coal ministries on July 10.

CIL has set a production target of 908 million tonnes by 2019-20. Existing projects will play a key role to reach this target as the new ones are stuck over issues such as land acquisition, rehabilitation, inadequate railway infrastructure and environment and forest clearances.

Coal India has said the only environmental impact of additional mining from existing projects will be the release of more dust. Removal and backfilling of the overburden - the layer of earth above the coal seam - would not be affected.

"The only option left with CIL is to enhance its production from existing and ongoing projects. This will be achieved by advancing project activities and resources without deviating from the environmental norms," the expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the environment ministry noted as CIL's view in the minutes of the meeting held on July 16 and 17.

The EAC said increasing the capacity would automatically reduce the life of a mine and adversely impact the livelihood of the local community.

Panel suggestion
"While considering any such proposal, a detailed sample study for socio-economic aspects needs to be carried out to assess the extent of the impact," the EAC said.

"The enhancement may also impact the air quality, coal handling and transportation. Blanket permission for 50 per cent expansion without public hearing under 7(ii) of EIA notification, 2015, and without capping for sustainable mining cannot be given," the EAC suggested.

CIL sources said the environment ministry had earlier allowed a one-time capacity expansion of up to 50 per cent in existing mines with size of up to 8 million tonnes per annum without public hearing.

"This time a 50 per cent enhancement of capacity for all category of existing projects has been sought, particularly keeping in mind the production target and multiple challenges with future projects. We are hopeful that appropriate steps will be taken," a senior CIL official said.

(Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/)