The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) of Orissa issued Guidelines to successful bidders to whom Consent To Operate (CTO) and Consent To Establish (CTE) mining leases have been vested. The Guidelines were issued by an Office Memorandum dated 16th July 2020.
It may be recalled that new mining leases for Iron, Manganese and Chromite Ores were granted to successful bidders with effect from 1st April 2020. The previous leases had expired on 31st March 2020 and the State government did not permit any further excavation under the previous leases.
However, the previous lessees are given a period of six months, to take down any ore already excavated, any machinery, plant, tramways, etc which were set up by the lessees and which they are not bound to deliver to the State Government. However, such action will be subject to approvals from the Steel & Mines Department and the SPCB Guidelines, dated 14.04.2020, issued for this purpose. The SPCB also makes it clear that no separate CTO will be given for this purpose.
The following are some of the key highlights of the guidelines issued by the Board to successful bidders:
- The validity of the vested Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTE) shall be up to two years from the date of execution of mining lease or till the date of getting fresh CTE & CTO, whichever is earlier. All particulars regarding the capacity of production and configuration of facilities and other stipulated conditions shall remain the same as under the previous lease.
- The new lessee shall apply for a fresh CTO from the State Pollution Control Board (STBC) within 120 days from date of execution of mining lease. The licence will be valid for a period of five years. However, in case the new lessee proposes to increase the capacity of the mine or increase lease area, then they have to apply for CTE for the same.
- The overall capacity of mineral processing facilities shall remain within the capacity mentioned in the vested Consent Order. However, the successful bidder/nominated owner shall apply for amendment of CTE and CTO, for any modification in configuration of mineral processing facilities within 120 days from date of execution of mining lease.
- The successful bidder/ nominated owner shall begin mining operation subject to compliance with pollution control measures and CTO conditions. The target date for compliance of any specific condition will not be applicable to the new lessee. However, he must comply with them as soon as possible.
- Permanent pollution control devices like fixed water sprinklers alongside road, wheel washing facility and effluent treatment plant etc. as well as air and water pollution control monitoring equipment stations, owned by the previous lessee may be retained, to be installed in fresh in order to monitor and mitigate possible pollution problems during the mining operations.
- The previous lessee shall share relevant information related to environmental monitoring stations of the mine in the core and buffer zone with the successful bidder. The successful bidder/new lessee has to commence environmental monitoring as per consent conditions, other directions issued to the previous lessee and in consultation with concerned Regional Officer of SPCB.
