Coal India is looking at green mining options, says chairman

Coal India Chairman Pramod Agrawal said the company is looking at green mining options that favours a cleaner ecosystem through installing technologies.

Coal India Limited is setting up coal handling plants or silos in 35 projects under the first phase of the first-mile connectivity to arrange environmentally cleaner transportation. The CIL Chairman emphasised that the same strategy will be followed in the second phase as well.

However, the CIL is looking at enhancing production from its underground mines at a time when climate change is repeatedly linked to burning fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. "The company is also aiming at green mining options and planning to increase its underground output," said Agrawal.

He added that Coal India is committed to the preservation of the environment and creating a green canopy around its mining areas. The public sector unit of CIL planted over 30.4 lakh saplings during 2021-22 and expanded its green cover to 1,468.5 hectares. He further said that 27 eco-parks and mine tourism projects have been developed by CIL.

According to satellite surveillance, 76 major open-cast projects have reclaimed 62.5% of the excavated area, limiting the active mining area to 37.5%. CIL has created a green cover of around 2 hectares of land for every hectare of land degraded due to mining.

Coal India produces 80% of India's coal and the country is currently facing a power crisis due to a shortage of coal.