How Odisha is Tackling Mining Waste: Insights from a Recent Workshop

In Bhubaneswar, a recent workshop organized by the Orissa Environmental Society focused on sustainable management of mining tailings. Experts discussed the environmental challenges posed by mining activities and emphasized the importance of adopting advanced geo-environmental practices. Keynote speaker Bibhuti Bhusan Panda highlighted the need for stable tailings dams to prevent catastrophic failures. The event attracted professionals from various sectors, all committed to promoting sustainable mining practices. This initiative aims to mitigate the environmental impact of mining in Odisha, a region rich in mineral resources.
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How Odisha is Tackling Mining Waste: Insights from a Recent Workshop

Addressing Environmental Challenges in Mining


Bhubaneswar is witnessing a surge in pollution levels due to the rapid growth of mining and industrial activities, which poses significant risks to both ecosystems and public health.


A pressing issue is the management of mining tailings, which are fine waste particles often mixed with water, heavy metals, and other hazardous materials.


To address this, tailings dams are built to securely contain these materials, preventing environmental degradation and safeguarding human health.


Recently, the Orissa Environmental Society (OES) hosted a workshop titled ‘Towards Sustainable Tailings Dams: Bridging Indian and International Practices’ at its conference hall.


The event was led by OES working president Jaya Krushna Panigrahi, with Bibhuti Bhusan Panda, a senior geotechnical engineer from AECOM in Arizona, serving as the keynote speaker. He provided an in-depth overview of the tailings generation process during ore extraction and their storage in earth or rock fill dams.


Panda highlighted the essential need for maintaining dam stability to prevent leaks or catastrophic failures, which could have dire consequences for both human communities and the environment.


He stated, “Given Odisha's wealth of mineral resources and the increase in mining activities, it is crucial to adopt advanced geo-environmental practices for effective waste management. Learning from global best practices can significantly lessen the environmental impact of mining operations.”


In his opening remarks, Panigrahi emphasized the necessity of careful planning and management of tailings dams to reduce environmental and safety risks.


The workshop, conducted in a hybrid format, featured contributions from OES president Sundara Narayana Patro, Krishna Chandra Sahu, VP Upadhyay, Chitta Ranjan Mishra, Ashok Behera, Bimal Mishra, Swapna Behera, Nimain Charan Mishra, Ramachandra Tripathy, and Sashi Bhusan Dash, who all shared valuable insights on sustainable tailings dam management.


The event attracted numerous OES members and professionals from the mining and industrial sectors, all dedicated to advancing sustainable practices in mining waste management.