Shri Samrat ChoudharyHon'ble Chief Minister
Care for Environment through Sustainable Mining
Sustainability
Environmental Clearance for Sand Ghats
Official guidance for document collection, technical survey, mining plan preparation, baseline study, environmental management planning, appraisal, and post-clearance compliance.
Responsible mining
Care for Environment through Sustainable Mining
BSMCL, a Government of Bihar undertaking, is committed to responsible and sustainable mining practices with due care for the environment — managing mineral resources efficiently and transparently while ensuring compliance with applicable environmental laws, rules, permissions and guidelines.
Technology for monitoring & transparency
BSMCL supports the use of modern technology for better monitoring and transparency in mining operations. Environmental audits, inspections, geo-referenced mapping, drone-based monitoring and technology-enabled surveillance help ensure that mining activities are carried out within approved limits and in accordance with prescribed environmental standards. BSMCL has also initiated environmental audit processes for sand mining sites, including examination of mining plans, location details, pollution-control conditions, storage, transportation and applicable sand mining standards.
Environmental audit
Environmental audit is an important tool for identifying compliance status, environmental management gaps and corrective actions required for improvement. It helps assess pollution-control measures, resource conservation, waste management, biodiversity protection and overall environmental performance of mining sites.
Mine closure & site restoration
Mine closure, site restoration and post-mining land-use planning, wherever applicable, are important components of sustainable mining. BSMCL shall continue to encourage scientific reclamation, environmental safeguards and responsible resource management so that mining areas can be integrated into the local ecosystem in a safe and productive manner.
Clearance workflow
Sand ghat environmental clearance process
Review the key stages, supporting records, technical checks, and compliance actions generally required for environmental clearance of sand ghat operations.
01Project Initiation & Document CollectionCollect basic project, settlement, location, and ownership records from the project proponent.
- Sand Ghat Settlement Letter / LOA / Work Order
- Lease / Sand Ghat area details
- Village, Block, District details
- GPS Coordinates (Latitude-Longitude)
- River name & sand reach details
- KML/KMZ file of proposed mining area
- Auction / Settlement documents
- Land and ownership details, wherever applicable
- Previous environmental clearance details for renewal or revalidation cases
02Site Survey & Technical Data CollectionVerify the mining boundary, safety distance, and nearby sensitive features through field survey.
Field Survey
- DGPS survey / GPS survey
- River width measurement
- Sand deposition study
- Mining boundary marking
Nearby features
- Bridge
- Road
- Habitation
- Religious place
- Water intake structure
- Forest area
Restricted areas and prescribed safety distances must be verified before operations are proposed.
03Preparation of Mining PlanPrepare the approved mining plan required for regulated sand ghat operations.
A. General Information
- Location map
- Lease area
- River details
B. Geological Details
- Sand deposit characteristics
- Mineral availability
C. Mining Method
- Manual / semi mechanised method
- Proposed production capacity
- Mining depth
D. Mine Safety
- Labour safety
- PPE
- Disaster management plan
E. Progressive Mine Closure Plan
- River restoration
- Environmental protection measures
The mining plan should clearly identify the method, capacity, safety provisions, and restoration measures.
04Environmental Baseline StudyRecord baseline environmental data to support appraisal, safeguards, and mitigation planning.
Physical Environment
- Air quality
- Noise level
- Water quality
- Soil quality
Biological Environment
- Flora
- Fauna
- Aquatic ecology
- Biodiversity assessment
Socio-economic Environment
- Population
- Infrastructure
- Employment
05Preparation of Form-1 / Form-1MPrepare project facts, area, capacity, impact, and mitigation details for the clearance application.
- Project details
- Mining area
- Production capacity
- Environmental impacts
- Mitigation measures
06Preparation of EMP (Environmental Management Plan)Convert site-level environmental safeguards into a structured management plan.
Air Pollution Control
- Dust suppression
- Vehicle speed control
- Road maintenance
Water Management
- No obstruction of river flow
- Maintain ecological flow
Biodiversity Protection
- No disturbance to aquatic habitat
- Avoid sensitive zones
Waste Management
- No dumping in river
- Proper camp management
07Online EC ApplicationFile the application on the PARIVESH portal with the required supporting documents.
Upload
- Form-1
- Mining Plan
- EMP
- KML
- Location map
- Photographs
- Other supporting documents
08Authority Level ProcessingIdentify the appraisal authority based on the project category and area.
- Small area projects: DEIAA or competent authority, wherever applicable
- Larger minor mineral projects: SEIAA
- Projects under central appraisal category: MoEFCC
09SEAC / SEIAA CompliancePresent technical justification, safeguards, and compliance responses during appraisal.
Prepare
- Presentation (PPT)
- Technical justification
- Mining methodology
- Environmental safeguards
Clarifications and appraisal observations should be addressed with suitable supporting records.
10EC Grant & Post EC ComplianceMaintain operational records, environmental monitoring, and periodic compliance reports after clearance.
Monthly Compliance
- Production record
- Transport details
- Environmental monitoring
Half Yearly EC Compliance
- Compliance report
- Monitoring data
- Photographs
11Sand Ghat Environmental Monitoring SystemUse monitoring systems to support transparency, boundary control, and operational discipline.
Recommended
- GPS based vehicle tracking
- CCTV at loading points
- Drone survey, wherever required
- Digital production register
12Clearance Support DeliverablesMaintain a complete package for filing, appraisal support, and post-clearance compliance.
- Site inspection report
- KML preparation
- Mining Plan coordination
- Form-1 / Form-1M preparation
- EMP preparation
- EC application filing
- SEAC / SEIAA presentation support
- Compliance management