The National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) was allotted the Pottangi bauxite mines in 2015 in Koraput district, where the company’s 21-lakh-tonne alumina refinery is located at Damanjodi. The Navaratna Central PSU’s expansion plans of Rs 6,000 crore in Damanjodi for the proposed 5th stream in existing alumina refinery greatly depend on this additional source of bauxite.

To facilitate the expansion project, gram sabhas are being organised by the district administration from June 19 to 22 in Maliput, Pottangi, Nuagaon and Kotia villages.

On June 19 in Maliput and on June 20 at Pottangi, a gram sabha was conducted smoothly in the presence of large numbers of villagers. The villagers, while putting forth their demands, favourably voiced support for the Nalco to carry out mining and developmental activities.

Notably, for the existing Panchpatmali bauxite mines, the Nalco has been awarded the highest 5-Star Rating of Government of India for its sustainable mining practices and environment protection measures. In Panchpatmali, the company has adopted concurrent reclamation and rehabilitation processes for ecological restoration of the mined-out area, which is systematically backfilled with lateritic overburden to form benches, terraces and leave-depressed area at strategic places to form reservoirs/ rainwater harvesting structures to support vegetation and wildlife.

Till date, 315 hectares of mine void has been reclaimed and afforested with 35 lakh trees. Native species, tolerant to specific conditions or alternatively wide adaptability to eco-physiological conditions, rapid growth, capacity to endure water stress and climatic extremes are planted. The Supreme Court has also appreciated the Nalco’s efforts for environment protection in various instances and presented the company as an example for others to emulate.

‘Bauxite mining by Nalco will not affect any jungle; rather after mining, Nalco, like the way it has been done in Panchpatmali mines, will create lush jungles out of the mined-out areas through afforestation, thereby leading to positive environmental impact.’

In fact, the Nalco takes proper care of water conservation and minimising water pollution in the area of mining. For instance, in Panchpatmali, an in-situ barrier has been developed all around the mining area which prevents any rainwater to go out of the area. All the rainwater falling within the area percolates into the ground, thus recharging groundwater. To facilitate groundwater storage and recharge facility, ponds in the unexplored area of the mine have been constructed.  For rooftop rainwater harvesting, structures to collect rainwater from rooftop and recharge it into ground are installed. Similar methods are to be followed in case of Pottangi as well.

Rehabilitation: Realising the need to take care of the interests of the people who have been affected because of the implementation of various projects, the company has prepared a rehabilitation and resettlement policy. In Damanjodi, 600 families have been identified as land-displaced (LDP) and all LDP nominees have already been employed directly in the company. The 600 families have been resettled in two rehabilitation colonies, Ambedkar Nagar and Sahid Laxman Nayak Nagar, complete with infrastructures like pucca houses, all-weather black-topped branch roads, facility for drinking water, electricity, schools, recreation centers, community toilets, drainage and sanitation, etc. Besides most of the dependent members of the LDP families are employed in the ancillary agencies of Nalco. Also, nominees of 48 substantially-affected families (SAP) have also got employment in the company. Both the LDPs and SAPs constitute 30 per cent of the total manpower in the mines and refinery complex. Five mobile health units with doctors, paramedical staffs and free medicines are providing medical services at doorsteps covering 163 villages and hamlets in the Damanjodi area and 42 villages and hamlets in Pottangi where nearly one lakh patients are treated annually.

Besides, the Nalco is also taking care of development and welfare of the community through activities like healthcare initiatives, infrastructure development (particularly development of village roads), education, water supply and Self-Help Groups.

The company has also earmarked a sum of Rs 300 crore for developmental work in the area.