Sustainable Mining Practices and Innovations
Source: PIB
GS III: Environment and Conservation
Overview
- News in Brief
- Innovative Mining Techniques
- Initiatives by Coal Industry
Why in the News?
Explains the innovative measures taken to reduce the environmental impact of mining.
News in Brief
- Information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
- Helpful for Environment and Conservation.
Innovative Mining Techniques
- Use of surface miners, continuous miners, highwall / longwall mining, etc.
- Increasing installation & usage of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects to reduce coal transport via roads.
- Improving energy efficiency across coal mining projects.
- Reclamation and eco-restoration of mined-out areas including development of eco-parks, mine tourism sites, etc.
- Conceptualizing re-purposing of de-coaled areas for sustainable uses like installation of renewable energy generation plants, development of agricultural avenues for surrounding communities, development of mine sumps, etc.
- In order to ensure sustainable mining practices, the compliance of environmental and forestry clearance conditions are being ensured.
Initiatives by Coal Industry
- Greening Initiatives—Bio-Reclamation/Plantation
- To minimize the footprints of coal mining through sustained reclamation and afforestation of areas in and around their operating mines.
- In FY 2023-24, about 2,782 Ha were brought under green cover, with 5.45 million saplings planted by Coal/Lignite PSUs.
- Eco-parks
- In FY 2023-24, Coal/Lignite PSUs developed 3 Eco-parks/Mine Tourism sites in various coalfields.
- Efficient utilization of mine water
- Mine water after the application of appropriate treatment methods is utilized for various purposes such as
- Community supply for domestic and irrigation purposes
- Industrial use for dust suppression, plantation, firefighting, machinery washing, sprinkling in UG workings, creation of recreational areas, fish farming, and groundwater recharge.
- Mine water after the application of appropriate treatment methods is utilized for various purposes such as
- Energy Efficiency Measures
- Initiatives such as the replacement of 1.37 lakh conventional lights with LED lights, installation of 2,165 energy-efficient air conditioners, 46,750 super fans, deployment of 153 electric vehicles, and utilization of 531 efficient water heaters, 338 energy-efficient motors for pumps, 1430 auto timer in street lights among others, have resulted in remarkable savings.
- Green Credit Programme
- CIL and its subsidiaries are also participating in extensive plantation under Green Credit Program launched by MoEF&CC.
- CIL has already registered for restoration of more than 3200 Ha of degraded forest land.
- First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects
- Coal PSUs have taken steps to upgrade the mechanized coal transportation and loading system under ‘First Mile Connectivity’ projects.
- Commissioning of FMC projects in coal mining areas reduces consumption of diesel significantly and therefore reduces carbon emissions.
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