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Asked Date
2022-05-05
Asked by
Hon. Wasantha Yapabandara, Attorney at Law, M.P.
Ministry
Environment
Legislature
Ninth Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka
Session
Second Session
(a) (i) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has reported that only one mining licence of Industrial Mining Category A (IML/A) has been issued for commercial mining within the Kandy District for large-scale mining, an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) was conducted before issuing that licence, the licence concerned has been issued after obtaining all the recommendations from the relevant institutions and that the whole mining process at this site is carried out under the direct supervision of a mining engineer.
The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has also reported that in addition to the licence concerned, two other licences of Industrial Mining Category A - IML/A - have been issued for the Moragolla Hydroelectric Power Station Project, they have been issued after an Initial Environmental Assessment (IEA), obtaining all the recommendations from the relevant institutions and the mining activities pertaining to the two licences are carried out under the direct supervision of a mining engineer.
(ii) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has reported that a certain number of complaints had been received by the Bureau due to mining activities conducted over a long period in the areas concerned, the majority of such complaints had been made regarding the harm caused to the groundwater, in such instances follow-up action was carried out by obtaining a report from the Water Resources Board and that in the case of other complaints, a joint inquiry was conducted and follow-up action has been carried out according to its recommendations. In addition, the Bureau has reported that several reports are due to be received from the Water Resources Board and upon receipt of such reports, action will be taken based on their recommendations.
(b) (i) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has reported that 71 licences have been issued so far for stone quarrying within the Kandy District.
(ii) Yes.
(iii) As reported by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, the number of licences that remain valid for stone quarrying on lands belonging to the Land Reform Commission is five.
(c) (i) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has reported that the following courses of action are adopted regarding harm to the public such as spread of dust, breaking away of pieces of stone and destruction of roads:
1. Taking steps to minimize harm to the general public through conditions of the mining licence.
2. Taking action under the Environmental Protection Licence of the Central Environmental Authority.
3. Conducting joint observations (with relevant institutions) at sites regarding which complaints are rampant and imposing licence restrictions.
4. Imposing conditions to act in accordance with the Provincial Council and Pradeshiya Sabha regulations in using the road and raising awareness of licencees.
5. Conducting training and awareness workshops for project owners and workers.
6. It has been reported that the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has been making arrangements to include conditions in respect of all mining licences to the effect that an accidental insurance shall be obtained for workers employed at the mining site and a strong security fence, parapet wall or other suitable structure shall be erected to prevent outsiders from entering any mining sites.
(ii) The following measures are taken to prevent devastation of sources of water due to stone quarrying, as reported by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau:
1. Calling of reports from the Water Resources Board for the relevant sites and considering the suitability.
2. Requiring the conducting of mining activities under an Environmental Protection Licence by the Central Environmental Authority.
3. Introducing tree-planting and maintaining them as an essential task under the licence.
(d) Does not arise.
Answered Date
2022-06-22
Answered by
Hon. Naseer Ahamed, M.P.
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