New Delhi: Miners who ravaged the Aravalis in Faridabad distict till May 2009 want to resume small-scale mining in the garb of “rehabilitation” of deep pits. In a submission to the government, their consultants have proposed to create “benches” around the pits to facilitate afforestation – and sell the mining material generated in the process. The Indian Bureau of Mines, a statutory body under the ministry of mines, in its November 2011 report mentions that consultants engaged by the miners for rehabilitation of the pits have proposed that the waste material generated in creation of benches and trenches could be “utilized in construction activities as construction material”. “Benches” are flat niches created on steep slopes (of the pit) where trees can be planted. MINING PIT-FALL? Miners submit proposal to create benches around deep pits. Say waste material generated could be used for construction Indian Bureau of Mines opposes plan, says waste could be used to fill shallow dry barren pits 14 wet pits and most of the 17 dry pits to be rehabilitated ‘No one to keep eye on Aravali’ New Delhi: Miners once again want to resume smallscale mining in the Aravali region in the garb of ‘rehabilitation’ of deep pits. Shooting down the proposal, IBM has recommended that the waste generated during formation of benches be used for backfilling of shallow dry barren pits, followed by plantation. According to sources in Haryana government, huge mining material can be generated while creating benches. As per the plan, 14 wet pits and most of the 17 dry pits would be rehabilitated. In all these cases, benches would be made since these pits have steep slopes. Flowering and fruit-bearing shrubs and trees would be planted for stabilization of the rocks. Though the miners and the Haryana mining department agreed recently on the size of benches to be created (8X8 metres) at a meeting held with the Union ministry of environment and forest (MoEF), questions are being raised on who would monitor the rehabilitation. “Who will ensure that the expensive mined material is not transported out of the lease area? What is the need of creating benches in most of the dry pits? These have been stabilized and plants have come up,” said a government official who did not wish to be named. Mining material can be generated while creating benches