BASALT
MINING: GEOGRAPHY
NEWS: Basalt
mining work resumes at West Bengal’s Deocha Pachami coal block, activists
allege crackdown by administration
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS?
The
Deocha-Pachami-Dewanganj-Harisingha coal project in West Bengal has been halted
due to protests from local villagers, who are concerned about environmental
impacts and displacement. The project involves mining basalt and coal, raising
issues of land use, pollution, and community welfare.
Basalt
Mining:
- Definition of Basalt
Mining
- Basalt
is an igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of lava on the Earth's
surface. It is dense, hard, and durable, making it highly valued for
industrial applications. Basalt mining involves extracting these rocks
from the Earth’s crust for use in various sectors, including
construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Basalt’s resistance to wear
and tear, high compressive strength, and natural abundance make it a
sought-after resource for many industries.
- Mining Methodology
- Basalt
is usually extracted through quarrying, which is the process of digging
deep trenches or pits to reach the basalt beds. Quarrying is done through
techniques such as open-pit mining, where large areas of land are
excavated. Once the basalt is exposed, it is cut into blocks or broken
into smaller pieces for use in construction or other industrial
applications.
- For
larger-scale mining, drilling and blasting may be used to fracture the
rock, and heavy machinery like excavators and loaders transport the
material to processing plants.
- Environmental
Impacts
- Air
Pollution:
Basalt mining contributes significantly to air pollution due to dust
created by the extraction process, as well as emissions from the
machinery used. Additionally, the vehicular traffic in mining areas
generates pollutants that affect air quality.
- Dust: The quarrying process generates substantial dust,
especially when unpaved roads are used for transporting the mined basalt.
This dust can lead to respiratory issues for workers and nearby
populations.
- Air
Quality Monitoring:
Given the environmental risks, regular monitoring of ambient air quality
is essential to assess the concentration of particulate matter and other
pollutants. This helps mitigate health risks for the local population and
ensures that mining operations comply with environmental standards.
- Domestic
Fuel Burning: In
rural mining areas, local communities often rely on traditional cooking
fuels such as wood or biomass. The combustion of these fuels leads to
additional air pollution, compounding the environmental issues caused by
mining operations.
- Carbon Sequestration
Potential of Basalt
- Basalt
rocks have a unique property of naturally absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂)
from the atmosphere during their formation. Over geological time, the
minerals in basalt react with CO₂, sequestering it in the form of
carbonates, thus making basalt an effective natural tool for mitigating
climate change.
- Long-Term
CO₂ Storage: By
using basalt as a construction material, such as for tiles, slabs, or
concrete, CO₂ can be locked within the rock, effectively storing it over
the long term. This is a key benefit of basalt, especially when used in
building materials for sustainable construction, as it can offset carbon
emissions from other sources.
Applications
of Basalt:
- Construction
Material
- Basalt
is highly valued in construction due to its hardness, durability, and
resistance to wear. It is used as building blocks, tiles, slabs, and
aggregates. Its ability to withstand environmental factors like heat,
moisture, and abrasion makes it ideal for structures exposed to harsh
conditions, such as roads, bridges, and buildings in coastal or seismic
zones.
- In
some regions, basalt is used for paving roads and walkways, providing an
aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting alternative to other materials like
concrete or asphalt.
- Agriculture
- Natural
Fertilizer:
When basalt is crushed into fine particles and spread over soil, it acts
as a natural slow-release fertilizer. The minerals in basalt, such as
calcium, magnesium, and iron, are essential for plant growth. Over time,
these nutrients are released, improving soil fertility and encouraging
healthy plant development.
- Soil
Neutralization:
Basalt helps neutralize acidic soils. In areas where the soil pH is low
(acidic), basalt can raise the pH, making the soil more suitable for a
wide variety of crops. This property is especially beneficial for regions
where soil degradation has made agriculture more difficult.
- Rejuvenating
Weathered Soils:
Over time, basalt can help restore the fertility of weathered and
nutrient-depleted soils by providing essential trace elements and
minerals. This rejuvenates the soil, increasing its productivity and
supporting sustainable agriculture practices.
- Geogrid Meshes for
Road Reinforcement
- Basalt
fibres are used to make geogrid meshes, which are employed in civil
engineering projects, particularly for road reinforcement. These meshes
help distribute loads across a road’s surface, thereby improving its
structural integrity and reducing the chances of erosion and surface
cracking.
- Roads
built with basalt-fibre-reinforced geogrids have a longer lifespan as
they are more resistant to damage from traffic and weather. This makes
basalt an excellent material for reinforcing highways, rural roads, and
infrastructure in areas prone to heavy rainfall or high traffic loads.
- Thermal and Acoustic
Insulation
- Basalt
fibres are also highly effective as thermal and acoustic insulators.
Their high melting point and durability make them suitable for
applications in buildings where heat resistance is critical, such as
industrial facilities or residential homes in hot climates.
- In
addition to thermal insulation, basalt fibres are also used for acoustic
insulation. By reducing sound transmission, basalt fibres improve the
acoustic comfort of indoor spaces, making them popular in construction
projects that require noise reduction, such as in urban areas, theaters,
and office buildings.
Major
Basalt Zones and Mines in India:
- Deccan Traps
- The
Deccan Traps is one of the most famous and extensive basalt regions in
India, located primarily in the western-central part of the country. This
region formed as a result of volcanic eruptions that occurred millions of
years ago, and its extensive basalt layers are rich in minerals. The
Deccan Traps are one of the world’s largest volcanic provinces and
provide significant amounts of basalt for industrial use.
- Deocha-Pachami Coal
Block
- The
Deocha-Pachami coal block is located in the Birbhum district of West
Bengal and is India’s largest coal reserve. It is home to 12.31 billion
tonnes of coal and basalt deposits, making it a significant mining site.
Basalt from this region is used in various applications, while coal
extracted from the area is a crucial energy resource.
- However,
the mining of both basalt and coal in the region has faced opposition
from local communities. Protests have erupted due to concerns over
environmental degradation, displacement of communities, and the potential
loss of agricultural land, highlighting the tension between industrial
development and local community rights.
- Rajmahal Basalts
- The
Rajmahal Basalts are located in the Rajmahal Hills of Jharkhand,
stretching into parts of the Bengal Basin. This region has vast basalt
deposits and is known for its volcanic history. Rajmahal Basalts are rich
in minerals and are important both for mining and scientific studies
related to volcanic activity and mineral deposits.
- Bombay Area Basalts
- The
basalt formations in the Mumbai region, including the islands of Bombay
(Mumbai), Salsette, and Trombay, belong to the Upper Deccan group. These
rocks were formed from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago and
continue to be a source of basalt mining. The geological significance of
the Bombay Area Basalts is considerable due to their age and the role
they played in shaping the region's landscape.
Challenges
and Controversies:
- The
Deocha-Pachami-Dewanganj-Harisingha (DPDH) coal project has been facing a
halt due to renewed protests from local villagers. These protests are
driven by concerns about the environmental impact of the project,
including deforestation, soil erosion, and air pollution. Additionally,
villagers are worried about the displacement of local communities and the
loss of livelihoods from mining activities. This scenario highlights the
challenges of balancing industrial development with the rights of local
populations and environmental sustainability.
Source:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/basalt-mining-work-resumes-at-west-bengals-deocha-pachami-coal-block-activists-allege-crackdown-by-administration/article69303376.ece