EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ON
EIA - EMP

NEW UMRANGSHU (AIDC) LIME STONE MINE

(AREA - 417.5 Hectare)

PLACE - NEW UMRANGSHU

APPLICANT -

M/S. CALCOM CEMENT INDIA LIMITED

75C PARK STREET, 6TH FLOOR,
KOLKATA - 700 016 (INDIA)
New Umrangshu Limestone Mine AIDC, (Area - 417.5 Hect.) Executive Summary
At Village-New Umrangshu, Tehsil-Umrangshu, Distt.-North Cachar Hills (Assam)

1.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1.1 General Introduction

Calcom Cement India Ltd. is planning to set up a composite cement

project located at Umrangshu, North Cachar Hills District and Pipulpukhuri,
District Nagaon, Assam. The project will be executed in four lines A, B, C & D.
Limestone required for all the four lines will be supplied from former AIDC
Mines (Now transferred to M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. In June 2005 and
rename as New Umrangshu Limestone Mine of CCIL). It will be necessary to
install crushers in Mines area during execution of lines B, C & D because only
crushed limestone will be transported from New
Umrangshu Mine to the Lanka site.

As per MOU between AIDC and VCL it was agreed that the new cement
manufacturing plant would be set up under a new company. For this
purpose the new company Calcom Cement India Limited (CCIL) was set up
as a special purpose vehicle to domicile proposed cement project. The
company was incorporated on September 20, 2004 as a Public Limited
Company under Company Act 1956 and received certificate for
commencement of business on November 1, 2004.

1.2 Details Of Mining Lease

Village : New Umrangshu

Taluka/Tehsil : Umrangshu

District : Distt. North Cachar Hills,

State : Assam

Toposheet No. : Toposheet No. 83 C/14

Latitude : 25°31’ 33’’ to 25°32’33’’ N

Longitude : 92°47’40’’ to 92°49’20’’ E

Nature of Land : The mining lease area is a hilly terrain

covered with unclassified mixed
forestland.
Total land : 417.5 Hectares

M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. 1

New Umrangshu Limestone Mine AIDC, (Area - 417.5 Hect.) Executive Summary
At Village-New Umrangshu, Tehsil-Umrangshu, Distt.-North Cachar Hills (Assam)

1.3 Location Of Lease Area

The Mining Lease area of New Umrangshu is between 5 Km to 7 Km Post

from Umrangshu town on the South Eastern side of the Umrangshu-Lanka
Road. The area is at a road distance of 109 Km. (via Langlai) from
Halflong, H.Q. of North Cachar Hills District, Assam and 64 Km by road
from the Lanka.

The most widely used approach to the area is by road. The road distance of
the lease area from few prominent locations are as follows:
1. From Guahati via Shillong : 245 Km.
2. From Shillong : 140 Km.
3. From Guahati (Via Lanka) : 254 Km.
4. From Lanka : 64 Km.

The nearest Railway station is at Lanka (North- East frontier railways).

Nearest Airport is at Guwahati.

1.4 Proposed Production

The total production of 7.0 million tones of limestone will be produced in

the western sector and generating about 2.77 Mm3 over burden of which
about 0.25 Mm3 will be topsoil.

1.5 Mineable Reserves And Anticipated Life Of The Mine

The New Umrangshu mining lease area with about 112.00 Million Tones
mineable reserves worked through 3 separate surface mine for a
production of 7.0 million tones/year may sustain a life of about 16 years,
including development and closing period.

1.6 Method Of Mining

The limestone bed to be mined is 50 m thick and fairly uniform in quality.

The production requirement is also high. Therefore, mechanized open pit
mining with bench height of 10 m and bench width of about 20 m will be
suitable for easy movement of equipments.

M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. 2

New Umrangshu Limestone Mine AIDC, (Area - 417.5 Hect.) Executive Summary
At Village-New Umrangshu, Tehsil-Umrangshu, Distt.-North Cachar Hills (Assam)

The working benches will be developed mostly along surface counters.

Initially 320 m and 330 m benches will be opened up, maintaining a
workable proportion between production of limestone and O.B. The lower
benches in exposure zone will be worked when stripping ratio goes high in
the western benches. The topsoil will be initially removed by dozing,
exposing the rock surface. The topsoil will be appropriately utilized as
early as possible.

The hard surface will be drilled and then blasted to break it. The blasted
limestones are then loaded with Hydraulic Excavators on to dumpers and
transferred to crusher.

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

2.1 Topography

The limestone belt of the Kopili Valley Area constitutes the South Eastern
flank of the Shillong Plateau and comprises of small flat topped hillocks
with elevation varying from 580 m to about 840 m above mean sea level
(MSL). The highest altitude (837.29 m) in the region has been observed at
Khandong, about 12 km west of New Umrangshu.

2.2 Physiography

The proposed lease area is part of N.NW - S. SE trending ridge in the hilly
terrain of the region.

The Amrang nalla flows through the Central Part of the New Umrangshu
Block. Thus the Amrang nalla with its tributary broadly divided the
limestone bearing area of the New Umrangshu lease into eastern, western
and northern sectors. The Amrang nalla with its tributaries constituted the
geomorphological disposition of the local terrain.

2.3 Geology

The New Umrangshu Limestone Mine is located in the Eastern side of the
Umrangshu-Lanka road at a distance of about 5 km from the New
Umrangshu basti, which is about 12 km from the Umrangshu Township.

M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. 3

New Umrangshu Limestone Mine AIDC, (Area - 417.5 Hect.) Executive Summary
At Village-New Umrangshu, Tehsil-Umrangshu, Distt.-North Cachar Hills (Assam)

The present mining lease area is located in the northern sloping flank of
the deposit. A mantle of soil and decomposed weathered rock, varying in
thickness from 0.5 m to 4.0 m, covers most of the area of the block.
Limestone beds are exposed along the Amrang nalla.

2.4 Climatic Condition

The climate of the district of N.C.Hills is fairly diverse climate with an

average annual precipitation of around 1500 mm to 2000 mm with average of
1673 mm and 40 to 90% relative humidity. The coldest month is
January and the hottest month is May. The rainfall is mostly distributed
between the months of July and September.

2.5 Land Use Pattern Of Lease Area

The total mining lease area is 417.5 hectares and the land comes under
unclassified mixed forestland. The land use pattern of lease area is given
below:

The area is sloping Rugged Hilly Terrain covered with degraded

forest.

Within lease area one Amarang Nallah flows in south Eastern

direction dividing the area into 2 separate zones.

From Nallah & Taibutory of Amrang Nallah flows north to south

joining Amrang Nallah creating a separate zone in northwest part of
mining leasea.

There is no agriculture land in the area and hence no human

habitation also.

2.6 Socio-Economic Environment

The village economy of India is mainly based on agriculture sector and the
main activity of rural population being agriculture; the entire infrastructure
is oriented towards this activity.

M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. 4

New Umrangshu Limestone Mine AIDC, (Area - 417.5 Hect.) Executive Summary
At Village-New Umrangshu, Tehsil-Umrangshu, Distt.-North Cachar Hills (Assam)

Total population in the study as per 2001 census records is 20713.

Analyzing the dispersal of rural scheduled caste population in the study
area, it is evident that the concentration of SC is found to be 1.8% and
concentration of ST is 6.6%.

There will be established one dispensary at the mine site. Power is made
available from the Assam State Electricity Board (A.S.E.B). Post and
telegraph facilities are also available in Umrangshu town. This water is
collected in small reservoirs that are constructed at the mine site and then
utilized for drinking and other purposes.

3.0 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

3.1 Impact On Land Use Pattern
Major impact on land use pattern in the area will be mainly in core zone,
where actual mining activities will take place. The mining will not affect the
land use pattern of study area of 10 km. radius.

3.2 Impact On Air Quality

The gaseous pollutants (SO 2, NOx and CO) are quite low as the area is hilly
terrain covered with degraded forest. Although these pollutants are
generated during blasting and operation of diesel equipments i.e.
HEMM like, excavator, dumpers, dozer, compressor and other
transport vehicles.
3.3 Impact Of Noise Levels

Several mining and mineral processing activities generate obnoxious

levels of noise and vibration. In opencast mines, heavy earth moving
machineries like excavators, drills, dumpers etc. are prominent sources of
noise pollution in neighboring communities. Thus, measures are required to
minimize the same, though noise levels due to HEMM operation are well
within permissible limits.

3.4 Impact Of Ground Vibration & Fly Rocks

The ground vibrations are generated due to blasting. These vibrations may
be harmful to nearby buildings etc. if not kept within limits.

M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. 5

New Umrangshu Limestone Mine AIDC, (Area - 417.5 Hect.) Executive Summary
At Village-New Umrangshu, Tehsil-Umrangshu, Distt.-North Cachar Hills (Assam)

3.5 Impact On Water Quality

There are only two prominent nallas in the area. The Amrang nalla
(passing through the mining lease) and the Langyen nalla within the buffer
zone. Sufficient virgin barrier zones with the mine working will be left as
protection for the Amrang nalla within mining lease. So these nallas will
not be contaminated from surface rain-wash from the working mine.

3.6 Impact On Soil Quality

There may be pollution to soils adjacent to mining area if proper care is not
taken. The anticipated pollution to soil environment due to mining activities
could be as follows.

Changes in soil texture due to settling of air borne dust or due to wash off of
solid particulates by surface or ground water. This may lead to change in
porosity, permeability & other such physical characteristics of soil of the
area. Changes in soil chemistry due to addition of foreign material from
polluted air and water due to mining activities in the area.

3.7 Flora & Fauna

Flora
i) Floral environment is affected by mining activities due to:
Air Pollution i.e. both dust & gaseous pollution
Water pollution
Land Pollution
This is sources of pollution i.e. dust, gaseous emanations, solid & liquid
effluents will be minimized at the generation point itself and adequate
measures will be taken to prevent their impact on environment. So,
there will be no pollution to distant carriers like air and water.
ii) There is no forest in the core zone of mining lease area. So, there will
be no deforestation due to mining.
iii) The mining lease area is devoid of vegetation. So, the greenery to be
developed under green belt development programme will improve the
floral environment of the area.

M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. 6

New Umrangshu Limestone Mine AIDC, (Area - 417.5 Hect.) Executive Summary
At Village-New Umrangshu, Tehsil-Umrangshu, Distt.-North Cachar Hills (Assam)

Fauna

There is no likelihood of any adverse impact on the faunal environment too

due to mining activities. As the development of green belt around the area will
heep bring back the animals, birds, insects, reptiles and other small animals,
which might have gone away carrier for the time being.

3.8 Socio-Economic Profile

The social demographic profile of the area is not likely to be much

affected, as there is not much displacement of people due to the project.
The mining in the area has created rural employment. The mining activity in
the region has positive impact on the social economic condition of the area
by providing employment to the local in habitants; wages paid
increase the per capita income. The density of population in the nearby area
increased due to improved economic conditions such as frequent
transportation and medical facilities.

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME

4.1 Air Quality Monitoring

Ambient air quality monitoring has been carried out at 10 stations in the
study area of 10 km. radius on 24 hourly basis. The average concentration
for all the 10 AAQM stations of SPM ranges between 103 to 166 ∝g/m3,
RPM range between 38 to 61 ∝g/m3, SO2 range between 8 to 15 ∝g/m3, and
NOX range between 9 to 18 ∝g/m3.

4.2 Noise Level Monitoring

Noise monitoring in the study area at 10 stations shows that the noise
level varies in Leq value ranges from 38 dB (A) to 54 dB (A) in rural area.
The noise level recorded at mine site 48 to 54 dB (A).

4.3 Soil Quality Monitoring

The soil Samples collected 6.3 in the area and organic matter from 0.50 %
to 0.72 %. Soil texture is sandy loam to clay loam. Conductivity of the soil
samples ranges from 545 µmho/cm to 986 µmho/cm.

M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. 7

New Umrangshu Limestone Mine AIDC, (Area - 417.5 Hect.) Executive Summary
At Village-New Umrangshu, Tehsil-Umrangshu, Distt.-North Cachar Hills (Assam)

4.4 Water Quality Monitoring

Water samples were collected from different stations and the analysis of
the samples shows that the concentration of total dissolved solids ranges
between 158 mg/l to 212 mg/l; pH varies from 7.2 to 7.4 and total
Hardness from 58 mg/l to 128 mg/l.

4.5 Biological Environmental

Flora

The New Umrangshu Limestone Mine area is located in a landform, which

is surrounded by hills. The names of the flora found in the area given
below:

The main species of flora found in the region are: Peepal (Ficus relegiosa),
Aldu (Adina cordifoilia), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Ashoka (Polyalthia
longifolia), Mahua (Madhuca indica), Teak (Tectona grandis), Amla (Emblica
officinalis), Mango (Mangifera indica) etc.

Fauna
The presence of fauna depends on topography and vegetation in the area.
The study area is surrounded by hills. The fauna includes i.e. Pig, Barking
Deer, Rat, and Mongoose.

Many birds like Jungle crow, House sparrow, dove, Common pigeon,
maina, etc. are seen in the area.

6.0 PROJECT BENEFITS

The social demographic profile of the area is not likely to be much

affected, as there is not much displacement of people due to the project.

Socio-economic environment will have positive impact due to the mining

project in the area. The salient features of the possible likely scene are as
follows:

I) The mining in the area will create rural employment.

M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. 8

New Umrangshu Limestone Mine AIDC, (Area - 417.5 Hect.) Executive Summary
At Village-New Umrangshu, Tehsil-Umrangshu, Distt.-North Cachar Hills (Assam)

II) Social welfare programme like provision of medical facilities

educational facilities, water supply, recreational amenities for the
employees as well as for nearby villagers.

III) Local people will be taken into confidence in all activities so as to

redress their grievances, if any, and to meet their aspirations and
thus to make them partner in developmental process.

Greenery development by the company in the mines area helps in creating

habitats for local faunal species and to attract birds, insects, reptiles from
distant places and increase beauty of the surrounding area.

7.0 ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN

7.1 Air Quality Management

1) The drilling machines equipped with dust collector arrangement and

jackhammer with wet drilling arrangement will be used to prevent
the generation and spread of dust.

ii) Blasting of limited holes will keep vibrations under control.

iii) To minimize dust pollution green belt plantation will be done all
along the haul road from mines to plant whereas possible.

iv) The haul roads will be kept wide to support two-way traffic.

v) Waste dumping sites will be vegetating by suitable trees to

prevent air pollution during stormy winds.

7.2 Management For Noise Pollution

(i) Generation of noise due to HEMM is confined close to the
machineries. The noise is reduced by proper maintenance.
(ii) Controlled blasting is practiced which produces very less noise.
(iii) In order to reduce effect of noise earmuffs are provided to
operators.
(iv) Suitable green belt in the area will also check propagation of noise.
(v) The practice of wet drilling is carried out with the help of sharp drill
bits.

M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. 9

New Umrangshu Limestone Mine AIDC, (Area - 417.5 Hect.) Executive Summary
At Village-New Umrangshu, Tehsil-Umrangshu, Distt.-North Cachar Hills (Assam)

(vi) Blasting will be avoided in the morning and evening hours. Avoiding
blast on foggy days, at night time and at times of high wind velocity.

7.3 Water Management

(i) Since the mining area is in hilly terrain no accumulation of water in

the quarry is expected. The impact of mining excavation on the
hydrography of the area will be practically nil.

(ii) Within the surface mine area, a wide barrier zone will be left on
either side of the Amrang nalla. This barrier zone will be converted
to a green zone by utilizing the top soil. Thus there will not be any
scope of adverse impact on water regime of the area.

(iii) No water body will be created in the mine area. The benches will be
designed with mild slope toward lower ground & Amrang Nalla.

(iv) Periodical water quality survey will be carried out as per CPCB
norms.

7.5 Soil Management

Most of the part of mining lease area is rocky in nature. Topsoil is stored
separately and used for plantation work in the mined out area.

Green belt development around the area minimizes the impact of mining
on soil characteristics like its texture, chemistry & even soil erosion in the
area.

7.6 Green Belt Development

The green belts will be designed to control SPM, gaseous pollutants,

noise, surface run off and soil erosion etc. It will be proposed to plant at
least 1000 trees/year in continuation of the afforestation programme by the
mines with suitable plant species as suggested by forest deptt. Trees
planted in at mines are mainly Mango, Jackfruit, Eucalyptus, Neem,
Gamari, Silver Oak, Jamun, Teak etc.

M/s. Calcom Cement India Ltd. 10