The Hindu Business Line : Jindal Aluminium allays fears of bauxite pollution

No threat The mining will be taken up by the AP Mining Development Corporation. The raw material will be handed over to Jindal Aluminium Ltd, which will set up a smelter at Sabbavaram village in Visakhapatnam district.

Visakhapatnam , June 13

Bauxite mining in the agency (tribal) areas of Visakhapatnam district does in no way pose any threat to the environment and "the apprehensions that the hill streams may be polluted and the forest cover destroyed are not borne out by experiences elsewhere,'' according to the representatives of Jindal Aluminium Ltd.

At a press meet here recently, Mr A. Kumar, President, Business Development, and Mr Rajesh Gupta, Vice-President, Projects, said the mining would be taken up by the AP Mining Development Corporation (APMDC) and the raw material would be handed over to Jindal Aluminium Ltd, which would set up a smelter at Sabbavaram village in Visakhapatnam District.

"The process of acquiring 4,000 acres of land near Sabbavaram has been initiated by the State Government. As for bauxite mining, the issue has been referred to the Central Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, for further studies in accordance with the directives of the Union Ministry of Environment. However, we are certain the proposal will be cleared. Experience in Orissa and elsewhere clearly shows that bauxite mining can be undertaken with the recommended technologies, and after the open-cast mining, the area can be restored almost to its original position,'' they said.

``The mining plan contemplates maximising the use of ripping method instead of blasting for excavation, as it is eco-friendly and the bauxite will be transported in a closed pipe conveyer to Shimiliguda Railway Station on the K-K line (approximately 5-6 km) and then brought to the smelter at Sabbavaram. That will completely ensure mitigation of any adverse impact on the air quality,'' they said.

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