Environmental management in beach sand mining and processing—a role model

Abstract

IREL, Chavara is engaged in the mining and processing of beach sand heavy minerals from the coastal belts of Kerala. Our unit produces minerals like Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon and Sillimanite that find use in various applications like Paint Industry, Welding Electrodes, Ceramics, Foundry etc. Mining is carried out by dredging and beach washing collection in some of the thickly populated areas posing its own environmental issues. IREL, Chavara follows unique Environmental Management Plan to mitigate environmental issues like erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of bio-diversity, contamination of soil, ground water and surface water from mining processes. Normally, additional forest logging is done in the vicinity of Mines to increase the available room for the storage of the created debris and soil which may cause environmental damage and affect the health of the population. In this regard, Dredge mining does not generate any effluent and tailings are not stored. The dredged-out area is refilled and leveled with mineral-free tailings sand where the background radiation is significantly reduced to make it safer for the local inhabitants. Resettlement colonies are developed over the refilled areas with improved infra-structural facilities like drinking water, power supply, roads etc. Thus, we return the mined-out area back to the locals with value-addition. We also ensure development of a green-belt on the colonies by supplying free coconut saplings thereby preserving the ecosystems. Modern technology is incorporated to mitigate and reduce noise pollution, dust pollution and visual pollution. Measures towards reduction of carbon foot-print like introduction of “Elemental Chlorine-free Technology (ECF)” made paper, installation of a 3 KW Solar Photo-Voltaic (SPV) Power Plant as part of green building, using solar water heaters and bio-gas plants for meeting the heat energy requirement in Canteen and Guest House are being undertaken. Modern Effluent Treatment Plant that employs skimming, aeration and filtration is commissioned as part of our overall waste oil management program to reclaim the waste oil generated at garages and workshops. Bio-medical waste from our dispensary is segregated and disposed as per provisions of the bio-medical waste rules.