Environmental Impact Assessment of a Proposed Bauxite mining using Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix Method

This paper presents the results of a study of the environmental impacts of the proposed Bauxite mining project at Jerrila, Visakhapatnam, A.P, India. The study considered physical, chemical, and ecological as well as social and economic issues in relation to the various operations in the Bauxite mining process. All identified impacts, negative as well as positive, were studied in detail. In order to make the impacts comparable in a transparent way the Rapid Impact Assessment Method was employed on the data. The results showed that there is a majority of negative impacts due to the mining activity. The negative impacts relate to the physico chemical characteristics of the site area, geomorphologic changes, surface and sub- surface water quality, air quality, ecological balance, loss of biodiversity, loss of livelihood of the tribals, displacement of tribals, etc., However the project also have positive effects in relation to the social and economical development of the region as well as state and nation. The negative impacts can be minimized by adopting an effective Environmental Management Plan which includes mitigation measures for improving the eco-profile of the site area.