N Bengal Dolomite Facing Closure Due To Ban On Mining

North Bengal Dolomite Ltd, a joint venture between Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and West Bengal Mineral Development & Trading Corporation, is on the verge of closing down owing to a statewide ban on dolomite mining.

The ban order, passed in April this year by the West Bengal environment department, was imposed on the ground that it is damaging the regions fragile eco system.

But just 15 km north of North Bengal Dolomites Hathipotha mines and across the international border, blasting operations carry on unchecked, posing a serious threat of floods in the state. In Bhutan, dolomite producers are working overtime to meet the demand shortfall caused by North Bengal Dolomites absence from competition.

 

North Bengal Dolomite, which is currently seeking legal advice on the mining ban, used to meet 50 per cent of the demand for low-silica steel grade dolomite and supplied to all of the eastern regions steel plants.

About 500 mine workers, including 100 permanent staff, are facing wage freeze and are unlikely to get their salary this month. Besides, the ban order stipulates that the company cannot sell off its stock pile, which is estimated at 60,000 tonnes.

They are lying unused outside the Buxah Tiger Reserves at present. The Centre had in February pointed out the indiscriminate mining activity in Bhutan to the West Bengal commerce and industries department.

Following this, the department asked the Mines & Minerals Directorate to conduct a study on the impact of mining.

Department sources told Business Standard that Bhutan does not have any environment law.

With its main dolomite deposits lying near the Indo- Bhutan border, landslides have become a common occurrence and huge boulders tumble downstream into India through Bengal.

The excessive blasting also generates shockwaves and vibration, besides creating air-borne microfines.

With the rivers getting filled up with debris, the threat of flash floods looms large.

In Bhutan, dolomite deposits occur in the riverbeds of Sukti Nullah, Khanabharti Khola, Pagli Nulah, Khagree Nullah, Sangla Khola, Hourie Nullah, Dhumethi river, Pana River, Leesh river, Torsa river, Taklai Nullah, Sukuntaklia Nullah, Kanama Kura Nullah, Kakulang river, among others.

A commerce and industry department report points out that the largest dolomite mine in Bhutan, under Tisco, has an annual production of 75,000 tonnes. Pendenty Cement Company and Lakhi Cement Company together produce another 75,000 tonnes.

The department asserts that environmental impact and ecological balance does not depend on curbs within national boundaries.

Unless the Government of India persuades Bhutan to introduce similar environment laws as in India, north Bengal will continue to be the target of natures fury - caused by human destruction.