Jaypee Cement has received the green nod for expansion of limestone mining capacity from 3.47 million tonnes per annum to 6 MTPA in Andhra Pradesh, entailing an investment of Rs 95 crore.
It has commissioned a cement plant with 5 MTPA capacity and captive limestone mine of 3.47 MTPA to meet partial requirement of limestone of the cement plant at Budhawada village, in Krishna district.
The expansion of Budhawada mine capacity will meet the complete limestone requirement of its plant.
"The Environment Ministry has examined the proposal and given the green clearance for expansion of mining capacity of Budhawada limestone mine by Jaypee Cement," a senior Environment Ministry official said.
The estimated cost for the proposed mining project including utilities, offsite and auxiliary services, is about Rs 95 crore.
The environment clearance to the project has been given subject to certain conditions like controlled blasting and taking mitigative steps for control of ground vibrations and to arrest fly rocks and boulders, the official said.
The company has been asked to take appropriate mitigative measures to prevent pollution of nearby river in consultation with the state pollution control board.
Among other conditions, the company has been asked to keep vehicular emissions under control and ensure the mineral transportation is carried out through covered trucks only and vehicles carrying mineral should not be overloaded.
Jaypee Cement has a total 27.90 MT capacity under operation across the country.
