2463 Large-scale mining projects involve large companies and have high economic value; local communities are not in a position to benefit from their development. Even when locals are employed, the closure of a mine leads to a sudden influx of unemployed workers into the local labour market, further depressing the rates, prompting many to migrate to other states or commute to nearby towns for work (Mishra, 2018). Ownership models where communities are part of decision-making processes and can benefit from mineral production in the region. Similar models have been adopted under the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative in Canada. Pillar 4: Health and Safety Combating Silicosis Worker safety and community health require significant attention from companies and the government in mining-affected regions. In FY 2023-24, Mining contributed 3.4% to Rajasthan's gross state domestic product, and minor minerals accounted for a significant share of this contribution (Government of Rajasthan, 2024). The minor minerals sector is largely unregulated, leading to underreporting of mineral production, unsafe working conditions, and mining accidents affecting nearby communities. During sandstone mining, inhalation of silica dust can cause silicosis, leading to severe respiratory illnesses and, in some cases, death. (Sharma, 2023). The prevalence rate of silicosis amongst stone mine workers is as high as 79%. Rajasthan has recorded the highest number of silicosis patients in the country (Rupani, 2023). The Rajasthan government introduced the Pneumoconiosis policy in 2019 to address increasing cases of silicosis. While the policy was a positive step, it has failed to hold employers accountable for poor working conditions (Devarajan & Rajan, 2021). The prevalence of life-threatening diseases like silicosis in Rajasthan requires immediate policy intervention focused on workplace safety. The state government's provision of compensatory funds to affected workers has not led to improvements in worker safety standards in the region. Health Impact Assessment Rising cases of silicosis disease in Rajasthan, impact on community health due to high emissions as seen in the Sterlite Copper case in Tamil Nadu and chromium pollution of water bodies in Odisha are all instances that highlight the need for health impact assessment, especially in cases where there is proximity to communities and the materials being mined have adverse health consequences. The current EC processes in India do not account for extensive health impact assessment, and the indirect health implications of the processes involved in mineral supply chains are not considered at the time of granting clearances. This concern has been noted globally: ECs focus primarily on environmental impacts from large-scale mining projects and are not equipped to address the health impacts of mining (Proksik, Brugger, Ayanore, & Adongo, 2025). India should consider moving away from the usual Environmental Impact Assessment method and adopt a more comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) framework. Externalities of Ore Transport Transport of ores in uncovered trucks through villages has caused extreme dust and water pollution. Heavy trucks have damaged public roads, making it unsafe for communities to travel to work, school, or other facilities. The lack of specific ore transport corridors has made it even harder for the community to access public infrastructure. A field visit to the iron ore belt in Odisha highlighted the need to use alternative means of transporting ore, such as railways, slurry pipelines, and conveyor belts, as red dust pollution has been a major cause of respiratory illnesses amongst communities living close to the mining area. CSIRNEERI guidelines on the transport of ore were introduced to address the health and environmental implications of unregulated ore transport (MOEF&CC, 2025). The guidelines mandate that, for mines with a capacity greater than 5 MTPA, 100% of the ore be transported by rail. However, this may not always be possible in areas with dense forests or hilly terrain, where building railway lines is currently not feasible. Trucks must be properly covered and washed to reduce dust pollution.
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