In a bold stride towards sustainable mining, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has inked a ₹7040 crore deal with TMC Mineral Resources Private Limited to implement paste fill technology at the Singhali underground coal mine in Korba. This move, announced today, positions SECL as the vanguard of India’s coal Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in adopting environmentally friendly mining practices.
Paste fill technology is not just a buzzword; it’s a game-changer. This innovative method allows for underground mining without the need for surface land acquisition. After coal extraction, the voids are filled with a paste concocted from fly ash, crushed overburden, cement, water, and binding chemicals. This process mitigates land subsidence, ensures mine stability, and crucially, repurposes industrial waste, ticking multiple boxes for sustainability and waste management.
The Singhali mine, with its 8.45 million tonnes of extractable G-7 grade non-coking coal, has been operational since 1993. However, its surface area is a patchwork of villages, high-tension lines, and roads, making traditional caving methods a non-starter due to safety and environmental concerns. Paste fill technology sidesteps these issues, allowing mining to proceed without disturbing the surface infrastructure. If successful, this could breathe new life into other underground mines facing similar land constraints.
SECL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Shri Harish Duhan, is bullish about the technology’s potential. “I firmly believe that paste fill technology will not only secure the future of underground mining but also offer an innovative, eco-friendly solution,” he asserted. This project, with its ₹7040 crore price tag, is a significant bet on green mining technologies, aiming to boost coal production while slashing environmental impact.
The implications of this development are far-reaching. If SECL can pull this off, it could set a precedent for other coal PSUs to follow suit. The technology’s success could also spur innovation in the mining sector, with companies scrambling to develop and implement their own sustainable mining methods. Moreover, it could influence policy, with the government potentially incentivizing green mining technologies.
However, challenges lie ahead. The technology’s success hinges on efficient waste management and the consistent supply of materials for the paste. Additionally, the long-term environmental impact of the paste fill needs to be monitored and managed. But if SECL can navigate these hurdles, it could well be onto a winner.
The mining sector is at a crossroads, with sustainability and environmental concerns increasingly taking center stage. SECL’s foray into paste fill technology is a bold step in the right direction. It’s a high-stakes gamble, but if it pays off, it could reshape the future of underground coal mining in India. The next 25 years will be telling, as the world watches to see if SECL’s bet on green mining technologies will pay off.
