Team Herald
PANJIM: Indian Institute of Technology – Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad on Wednesday submitted to Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) its report suggesting measures to curb pollution due to mining, and the framework to monitor the ambient air quality in mineral rich areas.
ISM, which was roped in by mining companies that were reeling under criticism for polluting the villages, has proposed short term, medium term and long term measures to mitigate pollution caused due to iron ore transportation and other mining activities.
“The report has been submitted to GSPCB, which will place it before the Board for consideration,” a senior official present at the meeting said.
ISM has proposed an audit of all operational mines that includes an audit of the pollution. As a short-term measure, ISM has proposed deployment of mechanised road sweeping machines, installation of wheel washing system, rumblers, etc. Phasing out of smaller and older generation trucks replacing them by larger fully mechanised trucks for transportation of ore are part of the medium term measures.
The mining industry has recently come in for criticism following protests by villagers of Sonshi over the increasing dust pollution in their locality due to transportation of iron ore. Mining firms and GSPCB were at loggerheads over higher pollution readings.
