French multinational Lafarge has received environment clearance for raising production capacity of its Nongtrai limestone mine in Meghalaya to 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) from 2 MTPA, at a cost of Rs 194 crore. The mine was set up as per an agreement between India and Bangladesh in November 2000.
?Based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee, the Environment Ministry has given environment clearance to LUMPL?s expansion project of its limestone mine in Meghalaya,? a senior government official said. The approval of the project is subject to certain conditions and compliance to environmental safeguards. Limestone is required by LSC to produce clinker and cement. There are no limestone deposits in Bangladesh and cement is produced by grinding units using imported clinker and limestone.