Air Quality Characterization in Coal mines with special reference to existing standard

Abstract: Mining industries in general and coal mining in particular are more concerned to environment and eco – friendly mining in India. Efforts are being made continuously to improve the quality of life of people by enhancing the quality of environmental attributes. Air is an important attribute of the environment and most visible impact is observed in and around mining industry. In this paper, a case study of a large opencast coal mining complex has been discussed with special reference to characterization of particulate matter for improving the air quality in and around the mine. The particulate matter characterization in terms of concentration, size, shape, time of exposure and composition is issued. The results were compared with existing standards and guidelines of air quality given by NAAQS, 2009. The paper concludes that some more parameters may be included in NAAQS for protecting and restoring the ecosystem of the mining area. Coal mining in India is started more than 150 years back. The production of coal in 1971 – 72 ( before nationalization was only 70 million tons mainly (more than 90% from underground mines ). During this time also strict environment and safety compliance were there. After nationalization of the coal industry, the coal mining trend has been shifted from underground to open cast mining with huge mechanization by introducing drag lines and surface miners. The scenario has been changed. Now, more than 90 % production is from open cast and less than 10 % from underground mines (Anon., 2011) . Simultaneously, environmental problems caused by opencast mining has increased many folds and more and more acts, rules, guidelines came into existence after the creation of the ministry of environment in 1984. Step by step with the advancement, awareness and strict compliance with environmental guidelines, there is advancement in monitoring techniques of air quality also. All these aspects are discussed in the subsequent paragraph.