Ecological Investigation on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Copper Mining Industry, Rangpo, East Sikkim

Sikkim, the 22^nd State of India Union has a total geographical area of 7096 Sq. Km. and a population of 5, 40, 493 people. The Mining Corporation was established for the exploitation of the deposits of copper-lead-zinc and other minerals of Bhotang and other places in Sikkim with functions extending to mining, treatment, smelting, refining, etc.

The mining at Bhotang mine is done by underground operations only and has been developed by winzes, shaft, drives, etc. Horizontal cut and fill method has boon deployed for exploitation of the ore. Classified mill tailings are being used for backfilling the voids. The present communication dealt with the impact of the existing status of water, land, biological, climatic, socioeconomic, health and cultural component of environment in mining area. This paper critically examines the environmental impact before and alter implementation of mitigation measures in mining area. It concludes with some recommendations for implementations of regular monitoring and feed back for environmental protection.