Indian Coal Mining and Emission
Source : Global Energy Monitor
GS III : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
What is discussed under Indian Coal Mining and Emission?
- Situation in India
- How this impact IEA roadmap for Net Zero 2030?
- India’s Coal Mining
Why in News ?
Coal mining emits 52.3 million tonnes of methane per year according to new mine-level data and modelling from Global Energy Monitor.
What the Report Says?
- New coal mine projects currently under development would further emit 11.3 million tonnes of methane per year if the projects executed.
- It would reach new emissions that are equal to the CO2 emissions the US produces from coal.
- The majority of methane emissions from coal mines worldwide come from Shanxi, China.
- China produces roughly 13.1 Mt more methane from coal mines as compared to world combined (13.8 Mt).
Image by Анатолий Стафичук from Pixabay
- China produces roughly 13.1 Mt more methane from coal mines as compared to world combined (13.8 Mt).
- Methane makes up up to 50% of the greenhouse gas profile of the gasiest coal mines.
- In all, 50 companies are responsible for over half (30 Mt) of the world’s coal mine methane emissions.
- These are headquartered in just twelve countries: China, USA, India, UK, Switzerland, Poland, Russia, Australia, Indonesia, North Korea, South Africa, and Vietnam.
Situation in India
- India’s coal mines use only two-thirds of the capacity with some large ones using only 1%.
- The creation of additional coal mining locations is also anticipated to have significant negative effects on people and the environment.
- At least 165 villages and 87,630 families could be displaced by the mines under construction.
- More than 41,000 of which reside in Fifth Schedule Areas with predominately tribal populations.
- This threatens to worsen current water shortages by adding 168,041 kiloliters per day to India’s water consumption.
How Coal is formed? : Coal is formed due the compression of plant material over millions of years.
How this impact IEA roadmap for Net Zero 2030?
- In order to achieve Net Zero 2030 proposed by International Atomic Agency coal mine methane emissions must fall 11% each year until 2030, according to GEM’s analysis.
- The reason is Mining receives less scrutiny in climate governance.
- Outright cancellation of new mine projects is the only way to guarantee zero emissions.
Global Energy Monitor (GEM)
- Global Energy Monitor is a mission-driven Non-Profit organization.
- It conducts research on the changing global energy landscape and develops databases, publications, and interactive tools to aid with comprehension.
- GEM seeks to make reliable energy data available to the world.
India’s Coal Mining
- The most readily available fossil fuel in India is coal.
- It meets a sizable portion of the country’s energy requirements.
- It is used to generate electricity, provide energy to industries, and meet home demands.
- India relies heavily on coal to meet its needs for commercial energy.
- Coal India, the world’s largest coal producer, is the only non-Chinese state owned entity to rank in the Top 10.
Types of Coals
Lignite
- It is a low grade brown coal, which is soft with high moisture content.
- The principal lignite reserves are in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu and are used for generation of electricity.
- Other reserves are in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and a small share in Kerala.
Bituminous coal
- Coal that has been buried deep and subjected to increased temperatures.
- It is the most popular coal in commercial use.
- Deposits found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh
Anthracite
- The highest quality hard coal found in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Contains carries 80 to 95 per cent carbon content.
- It has the highest calorific value with blue flame.
Peat
- Contains less than 40% carbon content.
- Peat is the first step in the formation of coal, buried from 4-10 km deep by sediment.
Previous Year Questions
Q. “In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Discuss. (2017)
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