Friday, April 14, 2023
Monday, November 21, 2011
INSPECTION REPORT ON PERMISSION FOR
SALE OF WASTE MATERIAL IN MALANJKHAND COPPER PROJECT,DISTT.BALAGHAT( M.P.)
The inspection of overburden dumping sites of Malanjkhand Copper Project was done on 08.08.05. Malanjkhand is located at about 100 kms. From Balaghat and is confined in Baihar tahsil. The area is surrounded by dense forest cover.
The overburden (?) dumping sites surround the periphery of working pit of the project. The mine is about 2 km. long, 500 metres wide and the depth is more than 100 metres. The height of the dumping hillocks is about 10 metres and even more. The northern (current) dumping site was seen. It contains boulders of granite, quartz vein and basic dyke. Granitic boulders contain veinlets of quartz. The quartz contains stains, specks, and coatings of malachite, covellite, pyrite and mainly chalcopyrite. These are mainly concentrated in quartz but extends in other rocks.
The Cu mineralisation is largely confined to Malanjkhand hill, which is about 2.5 km. long, 0.5 km. wide, arcuate in shape, and trends N-S and swings to nearly E-W. The mineralisation is in form of specks, stains, streaks and coatings of pyrite, covellite, malachite, chalcopyrite, and rarely native copper. It mostly confined to sheared vein quartz, which occurs as a thick sheet steeply dipping eastward. The mineralisation is primarily “fracture filling type” with some replacement. In granites and basics, it occurs as fine disseminations. It is also developed at the contact portions of granites due to replacement. Au and Ag are also known to be associated with it. The presently working area contains mineable reserves of about 60 million tonnes, of which 40 million tonnes
have already been exploited. The total geological reserves, in the area, are of the order of about 250 million tonnes.
It was asked on our part to provide:
a. Detailed Mine Plan of the area, map of overburden (O.B.) dumping sites.
b. The status of reworking of dumps (done or not?). It was told by Malanjkhand Copper Project (MCP) officials that no reworking has been done. The O.B. is known to contain Cu% which can be reworked to obtain economic part.
c. How the assessment was made? It was told by MCP Officials that no proper assessment was made to know that quantity of O.B. and they were relying on past record.
d. Chemical and petrographical character of O.B. It was told that it had not been, rather it was based on earlier exploration. Therefore, O.B. has not been analyzed to assess its grade.
e. Status of progressive closure plan and land reclaimation/rehabilitation.
f. Regional geology/detailed geological plan, prospecting report of the area.
It was suggested to MCP officials, that instead of opting for entire O.B., proposal should be made for a small part, which will be easier to assess.
Concluding Remarks/Suggestions: -
1. The quantity of O.B. (as mentioned) is immense and is spread along the periphery of the pit. Further, it should be assessed in its present situation and not on the basis of past records therefore the mentioned quantity has to be properly assessed.
2. The various ores of “Cu” can be seen in the lying boulders of O.B. dumps. Therefore, its utility can not be denied. Further, in due course, with the advancement of beneficiation techniques, it may become economic in future. So, far the point of Mineral Conservation, such uses should be avoided.
3. Detailed chemical and petrological analysis of the O.B. should be performed to obtain its average grade and reserves.
4. Progressive closure plan should be implemented, so that the area may not turn into a hazardous and futile land. The stress should be given on optimum utilization of the mined area with as far as possible, it should not need any maintenance. Further, the O.B. will be required in back filling.
5. Even, if the material is to be sold as minor mineral, the cost of transportation will be an important factor. Therefore, potential buyers will be hard to find.
6. Instead of asking for entire O.B. a proposal can be made for a small part which will be easier to assess. More so, far the purpose of local use, small quantity can be disposed off with due permission of “Competent Authority” after careful examination.
7. Precautionary measures should be taken up to stabilize the “O.B.” dumping slopes.
SALE OF WASTE MATERIAL IN MALANJKHAND COPPER PROJECT,DISTT.BALAGHAT( M.P.)
The inspection of overburden dumping sites of Malanjkhand Copper Project was done on 08.08.05. Malanjkhand is located at about 100 kms. From Balaghat and is confined in Baihar tahsil. The area is surrounded by dense forest cover.
The overburden (?) dumping sites surround the periphery of working pit of the project. The mine is about 2 km. long, 500 metres wide and the depth is more than 100 metres. The height of the dumping hillocks is about 10 metres and even more. The northern (current) dumping site was seen. It contains boulders of granite, quartz vein and basic dyke. Granitic boulders contain veinlets of quartz. The quartz contains stains, specks, and coatings of malachite, covellite, pyrite and mainly chalcopyrite. These are mainly concentrated in quartz but extends in other rocks.
The Cu mineralisation is largely confined to Malanjkhand hill, which is about 2.5 km. long, 0.5 km. wide, arcuate in shape, and trends N-S and swings to nearly E-W. The mineralisation is in form of specks, stains, streaks and coatings of pyrite, covellite, malachite, chalcopyrite, and rarely native copper. It mostly confined to sheared vein quartz, which occurs as a thick sheet steeply dipping eastward. The mineralisation is primarily “fracture filling type” with some replacement. In granites and basics, it occurs as fine disseminations. It is also developed at the contact portions of granites due to replacement. Au and Ag are also known to be associated with it. The presently working area contains mineable reserves of about 60 million tonnes, of which 40 million tonnes
have already been exploited. The total geological reserves, in the area, are of the order of about 250 million tonnes.
It was asked on our part to provide:
a. Detailed Mine Plan of the area, map of overburden (O.B.) dumping sites.
b. The status of reworking of dumps (done or not?). It was told by Malanjkhand Copper Project (MCP) officials that no reworking has been done. The O.B. is known to contain Cu% which can be reworked to obtain economic part.
c. How the assessment was made? It was told by MCP Officials that no proper assessment was made to know that quantity of O.B. and they were relying on past record.
d. Chemical and petrographical character of O.B. It was told that it had not been, rather it was based on earlier exploration. Therefore, O.B. has not been analyzed to assess its grade.
e. Status of progressive closure plan and land reclaimation/rehabilitation.
f. Regional geology/detailed geological plan, prospecting report of the area.
It was suggested to MCP officials, that instead of opting for entire O.B., proposal should be made for a small part, which will be easier to assess.
Concluding Remarks/Suggestions: -
1. The quantity of O.B. (as mentioned) is immense and is spread along the periphery of the pit. Further, it should be assessed in its present situation and not on the basis of past records therefore the mentioned quantity has to be properly assessed.
2. The various ores of “Cu” can be seen in the lying boulders of O.B. dumps. Therefore, its utility can not be denied. Further, in due course, with the advancement of beneficiation techniques, it may become economic in future. So, far the point of Mineral Conservation, such uses should be avoided.
3. Detailed chemical and petrological analysis of the O.B. should be performed to obtain its average grade and reserves.
4. Progressive closure plan should be implemented, so that the area may not turn into a hazardous and futile land. The stress should be given on optimum utilization of the mined area with as far as possible, it should not need any maintenance. Further, the O.B. will be required in back filling.
5. Even, if the material is to be sold as minor mineral, the cost of transportation will be an important factor. Therefore, potential buyers will be hard to find.
6. Instead of asking for entire O.B. a proposal can be made for a small part which will be easier to assess. More so, far the purpose of local use, small quantity can be disposed off with due permission of “Competent Authority” after careful examination.
7. Precautionary measures should be taken up to stabilize the “O.B.” dumping slopes.
Do we Have Choice?
If U have to choose one destination?? between serenity of Himalaya and tranquility of Indian Ocean ! what will be ur choice? since I was a child, I always imagined life in hills, may be tough but pure and aesthetic, the blow of fresh air, the glow of Sun, the simplicity and honesty of inhabitants, and pure unpolluted environment. Compare to this, the stretch of ocean throws warmth of weather,and people. so how would U choose and which one U prefer?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)