The Eastern Zone Mining Association (EZMA) hosted the concluding day function of the 22nd Mines Environment and Mineral Conservation (MEMC) Week here on Saturday.
The week, observed under the aegis of the Indian Bureau of Mines, Bhubaneswar Region January 1 to 26, 2020, witnessed various programmes to promote awareness about mines environment and mineral conservation among all sections of the mining employees.
Majority of the important mines participates in the various competitions. Inspections teams inspected the participating mines and evaluated their performance on afforestation, waste dump management, top soil management, reclamation and rehabilitation, management of sub grade mineral and installation and use of mechanical beneficiation facilities. Prize winners were distributed prizes at the concluding function.
Steel and Mines Additional Chief Secretary RK Sharma attended the concluding meeting as chief guest. Among others, Forest and Environment Special Secretary Debi Dutta Biswal, MEMC Week organising committee chairman, IBM Controller of Mines (EZ) Pankaj Kulshrestha, IBM Director (Ore Dressing) Indira Ravindran, Director of Mines Deepak Mohanty and EZMA president RL Mohanty and Environment Controller RK Sinha as guests.
Organising committee vice-chairman Prabodh Mohanty delivered the welcome address while Regional Controller of Minies and organiser convenor Harkesh Meena read out the report.
On the occasion, “Paryavaran Bandhu Award” was awarded to individual personnel in mines for their invaluable contribution in the sector of environment management. Besides, “Best Award” was also awarded to workers of different mines.
A 15-minute video showed the exemplary work done by some mine owners towards environment protection and mineral conservation. About 82 major mines of bauxite, chromite, dolomite, limestone, iron, manganese, fire clay and graphite participated.
The event came to an end with a vote of thanks proposed by organising committee general secretary Sidharth Pradhan. IBM Bhubaneswar DCOM GC Sethi coordinated the programme.