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Asked Date
2022-10-19
Asked by
Hon. Wasantha Yapabandara, Attorney at Law, M.P.
Ministry
Environment
Legislature
Ninth Parliament of the D.S.R. of Sri Lanka
Session
Third Session
(a) (i) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and the Central Environmental Authority have reported that limestone quarrying activities are carried out in the areas concerned.
(ii) It has been reported that attention has been focused on this matter and that the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has conducted a study together with a special committee comprising university professors in the aftermath of a series of tremors that have occurred in the Digana area since August, 2020 and that although it has been concluded that no direct relationship exists between the tremors which have occurred in the area and the limestone quarrying activities, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has recommended that no limestone quarrying be conducted within a buffer zone of 100 metres from the Victoria Reservoir, considering the effect on it.
Accordingly, the Central Environmental Authority has reported that the following recommendations have been implemented by the Authority:
(iii) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has reported that the above-mentioned conclusions and the environmental laws should be taken into account in issuing legal licences while the Central Environmental Authority has reported that the recommendations given by the special committee referred to in (ii) above and the environmental laws are taken into consideration in issuing Environmental Protection Licences for mining within the area concerned.
(b) (i) It has been reported that the Central Environmental Authority has issued Environmental Protection Licences for managing the environmental problems that occur in mining, giving continuous attention to that aspect while the lime kilns and processing activities are also subjected to monitoring by the Central Environmental Authority.
In addition, it has also been reported that the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has, through conducting blast tests, taken action to provide technical solutions to the problematic situations that emerge during mining activities.
(ii) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has reported that as a result of a study which the Bureau conducted together with a committee of experts, it has been concluded that there is no direct relationship between limestone mining and the earth tremors that occur in the area concerned.
(iii) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has reported that according to the conclusions of the research, there is no direct relationship between limestone mining activities and the earth tremors. Nevertheless, licences or permits are issued in accordance with the facts observed and conclusions reached in issuing licences or permits.
(c) (i) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has reported that 13 licences have been issued by now for limestone mining activities in the area concerned.
(ii) The Central Environmental Authority has reported that having the Environmental Protection Licence and the Mining Licence is essential in issuing explosives for the mining process, which precludes illegal mining activities and according to the records of the Central Environmental Authority, no illegal mining activities have been reported.
(iii) The Central Environmental Authority has reported that Environmental Protection Licences have been issued for industries which carry out mining for grinding and processing of limestone/dolomite within the areas of Kundasale and Digana and that no illegal industries without Environmental Protection Licences in possession have been identified and if identified as such, legal measures necessary under the National Environment Act, No. 47 of 1980 are taken.
(iv) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has reported that under the conditions observed by the blast tests that have already been conducted, no direct or indirect impact on houses by the earth tremors that occur during a blast or the high pressure of the blasts on the air has been observed and that conducting minimum blasts in view of the low level of hardness in limestone/dolomite and the topography of the site together with using rock breakers for the secondary fragmenting have become causes for this.
However, it has been reported that although some sensitivity was felt due to dust experienced during the transport activities necessary for the industry and using of grinding machines and the resultant noise, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has taken steps to maintain that impact at a level not so harmful by way of licensing conditions and field visits while the Central Environmental Authority and the Bureau have made a direct contribution to avoid such a situation.
(d) Does not arise.
Answered Date
2022-10-19
Answered by
Hon. Naseer Ahamed, M.P.
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