‘Five star’ rated iron ore, manganese ore, bauxite and lime stone mines to be allowed 20 percent increase with public consultations instead of in site hearing.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is doing away with public hearings for projects seeking expansion of less than 20 per cent of the approved Environmental Clearances.
Prodded by the Ministry of Mines and the industry to “facilitate enhancing production”, it will now allow a 20 per cent increase in iron, manganese, bauxite and limestone productions for mines that have a “five star” rating from the Indian Bureau of Mines with “public consultation” instead of “public hearings” at site.
The Ministry’s 20th Dec ember Office Memo introduces yet another change to ease environmental approvals for mining. Under the clause (a) of Para 7(ii) of EIA Notification 2006, such an expansion (or modernization, or change of product mix) requires approval of the concerned Expert Appraisal Committee at the Centre or State – who may prescribe additional environmental safeguards says the memo- but the approval wouldn’t require a public hearing.
Public hearings grant local stakeholders an opportunity to air their grievances and expectations in person and gives them a chance to hold the project proponent accountable, a “public consultation” will seek views in writing (under para 7 Ill (ii) (b) of EIA Notification 2006).
The government has been criticised for undermining local consent and wider consultation by pushing through more than one change to environment and forest laws without sufficient, and widespread consultation with stakeholders undeniably disadvantaged when it comes to access to information and internet. The Ministry, pressured by environmentalists and directed by court, has conceded to share in local languages its proposed amendment to the EIA Act.
The MoEFCC’s 20th October notification, justifies its decision as one recommended by the Joint Expert Appraisal Committee (Coal and Non-Coal Mining Sectors) and one that will “encourage compliant mining projects with 5-star ratings”.
Its conditions are that the project’s previous EC be based on a public hearing and that the expansion does not involve fresh mining areas. A detailed Environment Management Plan (EMP) and compliance report from the Ministry’s regional office certifying the proponents compliance with existing EC conditions is also a must.
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