Vedanta has received environmental clearance to extract 3 million tonnes (mnt) annually from the Bicholim (Block 1) mine, which it secured through an auction. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s Expert Appraisal Committee initially had concerns, but Vedanta claims to have satisfactorily addressed them. Consequently, the company can now proceed with obtaining a mining lease for the 478.5206 hectares in the north Goa taluka.
The mine, previously operated by Sesa Goa, is expected to generate approximately 25.162 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of waste. It is set to operate with a 4mtpa crushing and screening plant. Vedanta has outlined plans for a 5.72 km Over Land Belt Conveyor with a 3 mnt pa capacity, connecting the mine to the Sarmanas jetty. However, implementation may face delays due to terrain challenges and potential resistance from local mining truck owners.
The expert committee expressed concerns about the management of the substantial amount of waste generated. In response, Vedanta revised its plans and identified five previously mined-out pits for backfilling. The company states that the existing and conceptual availability of voids for backfilling is 157.98 (approximately 158) million cubic meters (CuM). The conceptual waste generation is estimated at 124.9 million CuM, with a swelled volume projected to be 147.43 million CuM.
Another concern, voiced by locals as well, pertained to the incorporation of two habitations, along with their schools (at distances of 138 meters and 190 meters from mining pits), and even a temple. Vedanta has committed to maintaining a 50-meter buffer from the habitations and assures that there will be no request for rehabilitation or resettlement of those living in those areas.
MoEF&CC has granted clearance following a letter from the State Directorate of Mines & Geology, indicating that Sesa Goa, the previous lessee, faced accusations of illegal mining, currently under investigation by the Special Investigation Team. This implies that Vedanta, the auction winner of the mine, is not under investigation. The company has reiterated this claim in a parallel undertaking to the committee.