A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NIT Raipur and NMDC Ltd to eliminate contaminants from surface and ground water of Bailadila Iron Ore Mine Project and peripherals in Bastar region here on Tuesday, officials informed. Dr Subhashish Sanyal Dean Research and Consultancy from NIT Raipur and Ranjan Kumar General Manager R&D on behalf of NMDC signed the document here. A research project worth Rs 56 Lakhs has been funded to Dr. P. Y. Dhekne (Mining Engg Dept) and Dr. S. P. Mahapatra (Chemistry Dept). A convergence has emerged between two Institutions to conduct research on “Feasibility Studies on Removal of Contaminants from Surface and Ground Water of Bailadila Iron Ore Mine Project and Peripherals.” The Bacheli mines of NMDC causes blues dust iron ore which contaminates Shankani and Dankini river. The project attempt to estimate the pollution in terms of alteration in Ph and Heavy Metal contamination. The effect of these participated contaminants on the ground water needs to be studied. A prototype filter plant will be designed at NIT Raipur, which will be commercially used by NMDC. The period of Completion of Activity shall be 36 months from the date of signing of the Agreement, which could however, be extended to such further period, as may be required based on exigencies of the situation and mutually agreed between the parties, on account of unforeseen circumstances. Significantly, NMDC last month had also decided it will get done environmental monitoring studies done at its upcoming 3 MTPA Iron & Steel Plant at Nagarnar near Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh, officials informed. The company had also been taking up afforestation on a planned pattern in consultation with Divisional Forest Officer (Social forestry) of concerned areas with the objectives such as increasing the density around the projects and townships, stabilisation of degraded lands and waste dumps for preventing soil erosion, rehabilitated of mined out areas, improving the condition of the catchment areas and stream courses and aesthetic look of the township areas at the Bailadila mining complex and its other complexes across the country, they stated. NMDC has also adopted strategies for climate change mitigation such as identifying and evaluating climate change risks for each business, reduce the environmental impact of processes, products and services and is working towards creating a positive environmental footprint, adoption of a low-carbon growth path through reduction in specific energy consumption and enhancing use of renewable energy sources and reducing specific water consumption on sites.