Section 67 in Chhattisgarh Minor Mineral Rules, 2015
67. Provisions for cluster mining.
(1)"Cluster" shall mean the geographical boundary declared by the State Government, comprising of Quarry Lease/ Quarry Permits for Minor Minerals which already exists or will be granted in future. The area of a cluster, as far as possible, share not exceed 500 hectares and mineral concessions area, at the time of formation of cluster, shall not be less than 50 hectares. For cluster having area less than 500 hectares, the minimum area under concession should be proportionate.(2)No Quarry Lease/Quarry Permits shall be granted without a proper Quarry Plan including the Regional Environment Management Plan (EMP) in a cluster. For clusters of leases/permit, a Regional Environment Management Plan shall be prepared by association of lessees/permit holders of the cluster through qualified person/agency and submitted to the Competent Authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for Environment Clearance/Consent.(3)Small leases/permit holders falling in a cluster shall form an association for the implementation of Regional Environment Management Plan approved by the Competent Authority. Any lessee/permit holder within the boundary of cluster shall be deemed to be a member of the association. Such associations shall be registered under the provisions of the relevant laws.(4)The objectives of Regional Environment Management Plan shall be to manage the Regional Environment risk and the Regional Environment Management Plan shall primarily comprise of the following issues, namely :-(i)removal and utilisation of top soil;(ii)storage of overburden waste rock, etc.;(iii)reclamation and rehabilitation of lands;(iv)precaution against air pollution;(v)discharge of effluents;(vi)precaution against noise;(vii)restoration of flora and fauna;(viii)water management;(ix)risk management; and(x)integrated environmental management.
