Urges Coal Sector to ensure Scientific Closure of Abandoned mines ensuring people’s Aspirations

Ministry of Coal Organizes National Workshop on “Global Experience Sharing on Just Transition”

Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Pralhad Joshi said that to further strengthen sustainable coal mining in India and to focus on green coal technology, a financial outlay will be announced soon. The Minister was addressing the valedictory session of National Workshop on “Global Experience Sharing on Just Transition”, organized here today by the Ministry of Coal.

Underscoring the importance of scientific closure of abandoned coal mines, the Minister said that India’s electricity consumption is only one third of global average. At the same time, India is one of the top five solar power producing countries in the world. While ensuring just transition in coal sector, aspirations of grass root level people has to be addressed adequately, he added. Shri Joshi also stated that Coal India Limited and subsidiary units are focused on pursuing Clean Coal Technologies.

In his keynote address Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Shri Amrit Lal Meena said that with enhanced domestic coal production, India’s coal sector is giving the right fillip to the economic growth. He said that a dedicated organization with strong institutional framework is necessary for scientific closure for abandoned coal mines.

Shri M Nagaraju, Additional Secretary of the Ministry said that more than 300 abandoned coal mines need to be closed in a scientific manner benefiting the environment and the people living nearby. The workshop is the step in the right direction to evolve a knowledge bank for the same, he added. In the initial stage as a pilot project 3-4 coal mines will be taken up for scientific closure, he said.

Earlier, Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Chairman of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and former Secretary of Coal Ministry said that globally the pace of energy transition is very fast and a very effective technology framework is needed for meaningful mine closure and rehabilitation.

As part of the workshop five panel discussions and breakout sessions have been held. Besides eminent experts from Coal Sector within the country and abroad, World Bank experts also attended the one day workshop.