Impact of iron ore mines generated pollutants on peripheral environment and its effective management—a case study of Koira region, Odisha

Abstract

Mining occupies a respectable position in an economy as it creates huge business opportunities thereby strengthening industrial base and increases foreign exchange reserve. During the recent years Iron Ore production touched 175 MT from 14.0 MT in 2000–01 because of increased indigenous demand and upsurge in overseas. The hubs of iron ore production in India are JODA-BARBIL-KOIRA area of Sundargarh in Odisha, Bellary-HOSPET area of Karnataka and the state of GOA. Mining is associated with different peripheral problems like dust, traffic, road, communication and other related problems. With mining, different industries like sponge iron, crushers and railway sidings set up in a radius of 5 Km to 500 Kms. As the roads of rural areas are mostly of village/block roads of low carrying capacity, the transportation of iron ore from mines to different locations creates dust laden atmosphere later on in the peripheral areas. Due to surge in iron ore production and transportation, the clumsy roads are laden with heavy traffic throughout the day and night which restricts the emergency services like supply of commodities and attending health care. Bad road condition discourages the public carrier owners like buses to ply in these conditions. Presently most of the fines generated in Indian mines are being exported or stocked at the mine site, as there is no demand from the Indian steel industries. Pelletization of these fines can be done for direct use of fines as a feed material for iron making. Alternatively the rejects after slime beneficiation having very low Fe content can be reclaimed and used for back filling of exhausted mine pits with subsequent afforestation. This paper outlines an insight into Environmental Impact of Iron Mines in KOIRA region of Odisha, besides highlighting some proven process, methods for effective management of iron ore mines bearing pollutants.