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Mining cannot be done “at the cost of environment” and social concerns and a sustainable growth structure is required for the industry, Controller General of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) C S Gundewar said on Tuesday. There is a need to evolve sustainable development framework within which all mineral development activities are carried out integrating economic, social and environmental components in the mining industry, according to him.
“We cannot do mining at the cost of environment and on the contrary, mining activities should eventually lead to better environment,” Gundewar said during the opening ceremony of the three-day national conference on ‘Challenges in 21st Century Mining Environment and allied Issues’ here on Tuesday. “Not a happy situation as other mines in other parts of country may face same fate,” he said.
The loss to the state exchequer may get compensated from other sources of revenue but lakhs of miners are losing jobs. Industries resorting to import of iron ore worth billions of dollars would jeopardise the economic agenda of the government, he said. India produces as many as 87 minerals — including four fuel, 10 metallic, three atomic and 23 minor minerals with a total value to the tune of Rs 2.06 lakh crore as on year 2011-12, Gundewar said.
The export turnover from ores and minerals was Rs 1.65 lakh crore (2010-11) and import value was Rs 6.69 lakh crore.
There are 11,000 mining leases excluding fuel, atomic and minor minerals spread over 23 states, he mentioned. Tata Steel MD H M Nerurkar also expressed concern over the closure of mines in Karnataka and Goa and loss of jobs of thousands of locals there and stressed the need for eco-friendly mining. There was a need for whole-hearted commitment towards sustainable mining. Mining industry must address environment and social concerns, he said.
Manganese Ore India Ltd CMD G P Kundargi said the main challenge is technological innovation and the protection of already fragile environment. One of the challenge is to satisfy concerns of the population residing in and around the existing and proposed mining projects who take the direct impact of environmental degradation due to mining and allied activities, he said.
Mining Engineers Association of India national president S K Sarangi and other experts also spoke on the occasion.
