Underground Mining: A Sustainable Approach for Environment-Friendly Coal Production
• Crucial for enhancing coal availability and reducing dependence on imports
Raigarh : Experts believe that with the country’s strong economic expansion, the demand for electricity will continue to rise, consequently increasing the pressure on coal production. Taking this into consideration, the Ministry of Coal has launched a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionizing coal mining in India. While striving to meet its climate commitments, India is exploring environmentally sustainable ways of coal extraction, with underground mining emerging as a key alternative. The rise in coal production through this method is expected to boost local development and enhance both state and national revenues.
Compared to open-cast mining, underground mining offers several advantages. With coal demand expected to peak between 2030 and 2035, underground mining can help strike a balance between India’s climate commitments and its energy security needs by increasing domestic availability and reducing dependence on imports.
Environmentally Cleaner Mining
From an environmental perspective, underground mining proves to be highly effective. This method requires minimal displacement of forest areas, ensuring the preservation of land and wildlife habitats. It also helps prevent land degradation and conserves fertile topsoil, making it particularly suitable for regions where natural landscapes must be protected. Moreover, underground mining does not have a negative impact on water resources and significantly reduces noise pollution, as most machinery and mining activities occur below the surface.
Socially Beneficial Mining
Underground mining is also regarded as socially beneficial, as it minimizes the risk of displacement for local communities—thereby eliminating the need for large-scale rehabilitation or resettlement. Traditional livelihoods remain unaffected, and agricultural lands can be preserved without disruption. Importantly, this method also yields higher-quality coal, which can help reduce the import of premium-grade coal and support the nation’s growing energy requirements.
Policy Reforms and Growth in Domestic Production
Record-breaking coal production in recent years reflects the government’s strategic reforms and policy measures. Amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the commercial auctioning of coal blocks have opened the sector to private players, leading to a significant rise in domestic availability. This has contributed to reduced imports and saved valuable foreign exchange.
Chhattisgarh’s Continued Role in India’s Energy Landscape
Chhattisgarh continues to play a pivotal role in meeting India’s energy demands. As one of the leading states in coal and power production, its contribution is expected to grow further with the allocation and operationalization of new coal blocks. The commencement of new mining projects will not only boost production but also create employment opportunities and promote local development through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The revenue generated will facilitate infrastructure development in regions like Singrauli—including roads, hospitals, and educational institutions—improving public amenities and uplifting living standards in nearby communities.
