Centre streamlines procedure for utilisation of mining overburden, rejects

The Environment Ministry has streamlined procedures for mining project proponents to utilise or sell "overburden" and "rejects" such as rock and soil, as well as sub-grade minerals generated during mining operations.

Under the amended procedure, overburden and rejects generated during ongoing or past mining operations can be utilised through an amendment to the existing environmental clearance (EC), subject to prescribed conditions.

Legacy sub-grade minerals stocked within the mining lease area can also be utilised through an amendment to the existing EC, according to the ministry.

For sub-grade minerals generated during ongoing mining operations, their utilisation must be included in the approved mining plan and must involve the same mineral for which the EC was granted.

The procedures have been laid out in two separate official memorandums issued by the ministry on September 18.

The ministry noted that re-handling legacy overburden, rejects and sub-grade minerals could create additional environmental concerns, including fugitive dust emissions and wastewater generation.

Such concerns may "be suitably addressed by the updation of existing Environmental Management Plan (EMP)", the official memorandum said.

The decision was taken based on recommendations of the ministry's Expert Appraisal Committee for the non-coal mining sector.