Monday, Jul 22, 2002
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Karnataka
By D.K.Kishan Rao
The HGML, a premier gold producer in the country, produces three tonnes of gold per year. But it also generates millions of tonnes of tailings containing toxic elements with a mix of sulphide matrix incorporating copper, lead, zinc, and cobalt. The cyanide and other toxic elements are produced largely after processing the gold and the poisonous effluents of this process are released into the open. The gold ore found in sulphide form is disseminated within the pyritic and arsenopyritic minerals and finally treated by cyanide solution, a poisonous element, to extract gold particles. After the gold processing, more than 95 per cent of the ore is produced as waste, called tailings, and is dumped in the open area. Over the years, a hillock of such tailings has formed near the mine. But the spread of particles of such tailings in the surrounding areas may pollute the environment. Such deadly poisonous particles may be blown into the air or mixed with water in the nearby nallas and rivers. Inhaling this air or drinking the contaminated water can cause death. The company had constructed a compound wall around the dump to check the spread of toxic materials. But the effluents are flowing out of the compound wall, which has collapsed at many places. On the other hand, a huge quantity of slurry is released into the nearby fields through pipes. During floods, these effluents are carrid into the river system, affecting the fertility of hundreds of acres of land. About a stretch of 100 metres of the compound wall has been damaged. The authorities concerned have neglected this, resulting in heavy leaks of effluents into the surroundings. Already more than 100 acres of fertile land has been affected with the flow of effluents in Hutti and Kota villages. In addition to this, effluents are flowing into the Kota nallah and are reaching the Krishna. Such polluted water is consumed by villagers and supplied to the employees of the company. The consumption of highly contaminated water with toxic elements will invite respiratory and heart diseases and can cause cancer. However, the authorities have failed to plug the leaks and even the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board appears to have closed its eyes to this glaring irregularity. Surprisingly, the non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which are engaged in conservation activities, have failed to highlight this aspect. Since 1999, farmers have been demanding that the company initiate measures to plug the leak of effluents and pay compensation to them for loss of fertile land. They have even demanded jobs in the company as part of the compensation. The Revenue authorities too had submitted a report to the company endorsing the complaints of farmers and recommended payment of compensation. They had asked the management of the company to plug the leaks of effluents. However, the company allegedly released a paltry compensation to a few farmers. Also, it is apparent that it did not take any steps to plug the leaks of effluents into the surrounding lands. Now, farmers have decided to stage protests in support of their demands.
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