Steel Authority of India (SAIL) is planning to spend Rs 3,800 crore in making projects eco-friendly. The projects, which would be taken up for implementation in its iron ore mines are expected to be completed by 2015. This follows comprehensive studies on Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan.
The projects, which are the key components of over Rs 10,000-crore modernisation and expansion programme, aim to enhance production capacity from the present 18 million tonnes (mt) to 39 mt by 2015-16 with lesser impact on the nature. The projects would include improvement in ore processing for zero discharge, minimizing generation of tailings, reduction in use of water and land.
At Kiriburu mine in Jharkhand, the company has planned to install Rs 45-crore tailing dam slime beneficiation plant and Rs 17-crore water reclamation unit, which will substantially reduce fresh water consumption from Gagirath Jharna through recycling, reduce solid material flow and stop any discharge into a local stream.
Meanwhile, a similar project is being set up at Bolani mines in Odisha for Rs 8 crore. Additionally, the company is also working a project to utilise iron ore wastesat Barsua (Odhisha). Additionally, the company plans to set-up ore processing unit at Chiria mines.
