Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL) is seeking fresh environmental clearance for its four million tpa coal mining-cum-washery project in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh.

The company has unveiled a summary of its environment impact assessment report in the run-up to the fresh public hearing project that envisages mining of the Gare Palma Coal Sub Block IV/6. The mine has an estimated reserve of 90.369 million tonne. The washery will have a capacity to process 4 million tpa of coal.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had originally accorded environmental clearance to the project in May 2009. But the clearance was challenged by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). NGT had set aside the environment clearance with a directive to carry out the public hearing again. Accordingly, MoEF had directed the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) to re-conduct the public hearing.

Later, MoEF's Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal & Coal Mining) specified fresh terms of reference for EIA studies on the project in October 2012.

Related Link:
Project profile