The minerals industry, which includes minerals, metals, oil and gas, in its value added in upstreams as well as in infrastructure and construction, contributes to the range of 10-16% of any country’s annual Gross Domestic Products (GDP). The sector has been under increased focus due to heavy investment possibilities and resulting employment generation that are quite resilient to downturns, industrial cycles and recession. At the same time this industry, in its huge diversity and complications, attracts attention from the environmental regulators, NGOs and the public due to visible and perceptible pollution. For an industrial developer, the projects’ performance becomes critical in the face of the above dynamics.

Environmental clearance of Mining, Construction, Processing and Oil and Gas Fields Projects is becoming more stringent everyday. That is understandable and acceptable, but what is more alarming is the lack of skill sets required to handle such challenges that can come from different agencies such as the department of environment, department of forest, NGOs, the general public, and indigenous peoples to name a few.

This book is a good companion to those interested in project clearance in particular, and environmental management in general.