The Indian Ministry of Coal is working to advance sustainable coal mining and reduce carbon emissions in line with the country’s Panchamrit goals and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments. To achieve this, the ministry has implemented various initiatives to cut carbon footprint, including:
* Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Coal and lignite public sector undertakings (PSUs) are implementing measures such as LED lighting, energy-efficient air conditioners, and super fans to reduce energy consumption.
* Green Credit Program: Coal PSUs are participating in afforestation efforts launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
* First Mile Connectivity (FMC) Projects: Upgrading mechanized coal transportation and loading systems reduces diesel consumption and emissions.
* Blast-Free Mining Technologies: Companies are deploying surface miners, continuous miners, and rippers to minimize pollution.
* Renewable Energy and Clean Coal Technologies: Coal PSUs are commissioning renewable energy projects and exploring coal gasification, coal bed methane (CBM), and other clean coal technologies.
To ensure environmental compliance and sustainable practices, coal PSUs are adopting measures such as:
* Expanding surface mining and longwall mining to reduce environmental impact.
* Increasing FMC projects to cut road-based coal transportation emissions.
* Improving energy efficiency across mining operations.
* Restoring mined-out areas through eco-restoration, mine tourism sites, and repurposing de-coaled land for renewable energy, agriculture, and community development initiatives.
The Ministry of Coal has also emphasized the importance of regular Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reviews for mining companies, particularly regarding carbon emissions. However, currently, there are no specific regulations mandating the frequency of EIA reviews. This information was provided by the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.