Jaypee Cement has received approval from the Environment Ministry for expansion of limestone mining capacity from 3.47 million tonnes per annum to 6 MTPA in Andhra Pradesh, entailing an investment of Rs 95 crore.

It has commissioned a cement plant with 5 MTPA capacity and captive limestone mine of 3.47 MTPA to meet partial limestone requirement of the plant at Budhawada village in Krishna district.

The expansion of Budhawada mine capacity will meet the complete limestone requirement of its plant.

“The Environment Ministry has examined the proposal and given the green clearance for expansion of mining capacity of Budhawada limestone mine by Jaypee Cement,” a senior Environment Ministry official said.

The estimated cost of the proposed mining project, including utilities, offsite and auxiliary services, is about Rs 95 crore.

Environment clearance to the project has been given subject to certain conditions like controlled blasting and taking mitigative steps for control of ground vibrations and to arrest fly rocks and boulders, the official said.

The company has been asked to take appropriate mitigative measures to prevent the pollution of nearby river in consultation with the state pollution control board.

Among other conditions, the company has been asked to keep vehicular emissions under control and ensure the transportation of mineral is carried out through covered trucks only and vehicles carrying minerals should not be overloaded.

Jaypee Cement has 27.90 MT capacity under operation across the country.