Dhanbad is a city in the state of Jharkhand.It is an epicentre for mining. Over the centuries this small district has attracted the mining industries.It has largest mine in India. Tata Steel, Jindal Steel, BCCL, ECL and IISCO(Indian Iron and Steel Company) are some of the companies having coal
mines in the district.
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| BCCL sub centre in Bansjora |
Mining activities in Jharia Coalfield (JCF) started more than 100 years back and it has been extensively exploited. Unscientific exploitation of coal resources in the past resulted in large scale degradation of the coalfield which has manifested in haphazard infrastructure development, depletion of green belt and overall ecological and environmental imbalances. Land, air, water and soil had been severely affected. On account of multi-seam regime of the coalfield the reclamation process has become a challenge.
BCCL is a Public Sector Undertaking engaged in mining of coal and allied activities. It occupies an important place in as much as it produces bulk of the coking coal mined in the country. BCCL meets almost 50% of the total prime coking coal requirement of the integrated steel sector. BCCL was incorporated in January, 1972 to operate coking coal mines operating in the Jharia & Raniganj spread over 305 sq. km. Coalfields, taken over by the Govt. of India on 16th Oct,1971 to ensure planned development of the scarce coking coal resources in the country.
The head quarter of BCCL is in Koyla Nagar, Dhanbad. There are total 78 Coal mines under them in which 39 are underground 19 are open cast coal mines and 20 are mixed coal mine. There are 6 coking coal washers, 2 non-coking coal washers.
Statistics:
13.64% growth in overall productivity.
Rs. 10176.62 Crore turn over, ever highest since inception with 18.56% growth
Rs. 1498.80 Crore profit during 2012-13
31.21 million ton coal production, highest since inception with 3.34% growth
33.04 million ton offtake, highest since inception with 9.56% growth
Coal Mining Activities
1) Project Phases and Activities planning:
First of all planning is done by a team members comprising of 5-7 members. With the help of pre-determined data provided by geology department they sort out the required information and act according to them. In order to clarify the further information they visit the site for the conformity.
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| Site evaluation Tools |
2) Site Evaluation
Pre-mining evaluation activities and requirements that may result in impacts. A number of test and surveys must be conducted to make sure the project is technically feasible, economically viable and environmentally sound. These activities include mapping, drilling and geophysical exploration.
3) Construction and Operation
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| Construction for underground mining in Bansjora |
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| Open Mining with new robotic equipment |
Coal mine operations activities and requirements that may result in impacts. Activities during the construction and mining phase include either
surface or underground mining in addition to any facility (e.g., shaft
construction) and coal transport system (e.g., access roads
, rail lines, pipelines, conveyor systems) construction.
4) Decommissioning/ Site Reclamation
Decommissioning of a coal mine would include removal of structures,
conveyor systems, and rail lines, if used, and the filling in of the
mine area. Reclamation of the mine site and access roads, including
re-contouring and re-vegetation
,would mitigate some impacts,such as soil erosion,habitat fragmentation and visual impacts
.
Danger with fire:
There are total 70 mining site which is under fire. The first fire took place in Jharia mine during 1916. Till now 10 mining site have been extinguished. The impact of fire can be very devastating a fine quality coal get burnt. Also it affects the rail line and road networks. It can also ruin the live stocks.
BCCL with the help of Indian Railway and Jharkhand government have launched the master plan for dealing with fire, subsidence and rehabilitation in the lease hold of BCCL. This was started as demonstration project with 5125 houses built. The Jharkhand government will provide the land for constructing the houses with basic amenities. 60,000 houses still to be built now. Till then 2500 families have settled. This is the world's biggest rehabilitation project.
Safety is a paramount importance in mining area. Due to capricious nature of job, a rescue station have been established. The rescue squad comprises of the well trained people whose job is the safety of miners and to facilitate them all medical assistance along with minimizing the accidental effect.
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| Coal Bed Methane Project working process |
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| Machine used for Methane recovery |
It is rightly said that prevention is better than cure. So in this case as well. If the main root problem is eliminated then all the adversaries like mine-fire can be prevented. The root problem is methane gas or CH4. BCCL have initiated the Coal Bed Methane project for the same. At few vulnerable mining site this coal bed have been set up. There are 3 advantages of this, methane is flammable gas which react easily with fire so once it is removed then there will be no chance of underground blast in mining. Second methane is a green house gas which seriously hamper the environment, so this Coal Bed methane make sure that the methane gas does not escape to atmosphere. Third is that, methane can be utilized for commercial purpose through the channelized tubular projector connected to coal bed. This is widely used as power generator. This is the perfect example of win-win situation.
CSR Responsibility of BCCL:
BCCL have built thousand of houses, flats for the employees and localities. The hospital and health care centre have been opened with the involvement of state government. There are total 14 mobile medical van run by BCCL which focuses on the deep rural area. Project Mitwa is one of live example general awareness about AIDS in rural area.
BCCL have opened around 90 schools and provides financial aid to then in the state. The water filter have been established for drinking purpose in various residential area by them. The farming is possible in all the season due to the philanthropy of BCCL. Over 2000 hectare land is irrigated. BCCL have funded 12 crore INR for this project.
BCCL have turned Lahbeda village into one of the principal village. The village have been well planned with proper sewage facilities, solar light, parks, school, hospital etc.
BCCL have also worked on women empowerment. This program is run by wife of BCCL employees. Sewing centre is established to provide scope of self-employment and career development.
Environment Sector:
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| Mining area turned to nature bliss |
There is a general perception that mining is one of the most hazardous activity which severely hamper the environment. Keeping this in mind with the help of Dehradun research project, BCCL have greatly worked on the ecological restoration. The used up mining area in which no further mining can be done have been planted with many trees. Eco-park, snake park have been also land marked to attract the tourist in the region. This is big revolution in terms of ecological balance. What human have taken from the mother nature, it is diligently returned to her.
