Heavy minerals are used in many industries, but a blanket ban on sand mining has seen heavy minerals mining suffer due to misconceptions that both activities are the same.
On 6 August 2013, the National Green Tribunal declared a countrywide ban on sand mining without environmental clearance across riverbeds and beaches in India. On the face of it, the ban seemed perfectly in order. But months later, it’s clear the ban is having far-reaching consequences affecting economic growth, infrastructure development and human wellbeing.
For instance, the heavy minerals industry – that has nothing to do with sand mining – is affected by the ban since it is confused with the latter. In fact, heavy minerals mining (HMM) and sand mining are two different activities. To begin with, HMM is undertaken along seashores and coastal areas, whereas sand mining is done on riverbeds. In HMM, 10-15% is recovered as minerals, after which the residual sand is refilled into the mined land. In sand mining, 100% of the material is used, so refilling is ruled out. HMM is meant for the electronic, pharmaceuticals, paints, ceramics and other sectors, while sand mining is done purely for the construction industry.
While there are additional differentiators between the two industries, the above points highlight the disparate nature of both. Unfortunately, due to general misconceptions among many stakeholders, the legal HMM industry has been unfairly impacted by the nationwide ban on sand mining.
The general perception is that HMM is not environment friendly, depletes water resources, reduces soil fertility and permanently displaces large numbers of people. In the case of legal HMM, however, these misperceptions do not reflect the ground reality. HMM is not environment unfriendly because after raw sand is processed and heavy minerals extracted, the sand is sent back by mechanised means to the mined area for backfilling simultaneously. Unlike other mining practices, HMM is the only industry it is back filled.
To begin with, after raw sand is processed and heavy minerals removed, the sand is pumped back by mechanized means to the mined area for backfilling. Adequate measures are taken to maintain an eco-friendly environment. After extraction, the mineral-free sand is returned to the mined areas and put under a green canopy through scientific social afforestation techniques. In Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, for example, a captive nursery has been established to supply saplings of identified species for social afforestation. As the backfilled area is afforested with local plant species, the surroundings regenerate quickly and the plants hold the sand together, minimizing any likelihood of erosion.
Regarding water wastage, this question does not arise in areas where dry mining is used. Although wet mining is practiced in Srikakulam, water is drawn from a river that flows into the sea, making the issue of water depletion redundant.
Fears about falling soil fertility are misplaced too. In fact, churning of the soil/sand boosts better aeration, improving soil fertility. Additionally, unlike the mining of ores that needs deep excavations, heavy minerals are available within eight metres’ depth. Similarly, sea-water intrusion fears are unfounded because the mining area is not too large or deep, nor is mining done directly upon the beach, but rather some distance inland.
Moreover, heavy minerals mines are only taken on five-year lease, unlike iron ore and other forms of mining where land is acquired on 30-year leases. After five years when the resources run out, the land is rehabilitated as per law. Naturally, there is no permanent displacement of people.
Incidentally, the entry of a mining company into an area improves the local populace’s quality of life. After a heavy minerals mining company began operations in Srikakulam, power, water and roads followed quickly, benefitting the local people. Basic utilities apart, healthcare facilities were also established soon, immensely benefitting local villagers in an area that was previously undeveloped for decades.
Finally, despite notions to the contrary, heavy mineral miners only begin operations after procuring numerous approvals. Some of these include:
• Obtaining Terms of Reference from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) for conducting EIA/EMP (environment impact assessment) study.
• Obtaining NOC from Pollution Control Board under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification.
• Conducting CRZ survey through MoEF-approved government organization like the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and obtaining certified CRZ map of the applied area.
• Obtaining CRZ recommendation of the State Coastal Zone Management Authority.
• Conducting public hearing as per Environment Impact Notification.
• Addressing all issues raised in various studies/public hearings and obtaining environmental clearance from the MoEF.
Clearly, misconceptions about heavy minerals mining and the confusion with sand mining have led to the industry being unfairly targeted. The sooner the blanket ban is lifted, the better will it be for all the concerned stakeholders, including the people whose livelihoods depend upon heavy minerals mining.
