In a bold stride towards sustainable mining, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is poised to revolutionise India’s coal mining sector by adopting paste fill technology. This isn’t just another incremental improvement; it’s a paradigm shift that could reshape how we think about underground mining and environmental stewardship.
SECL’s decision to sign a Rs 7,040 crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Private Limited to implement this technology at the Singhali underground coal mine in the Korba area is more than just a business deal. It’s a statement of intent, a commitment to innovation, and a challenge to the status quo. “This project is projected to yield approximately 8.4 million tonnes of coal over a 25-year operational period,” said a SECL official. But the real value lies not in the coal itself, but in the method of extraction.
Paste fill technology is a game-changer. It eliminates the need for surface land acquisition, a contentious issue in many mining projects. Instead of leaving voids that can lead to land subsidence, this technology fills the mined-out spaces with a paste made from fly ash, crushed overburden, cement, water, and binding chemicals. It’s a win-win: coal is extracted, and the environment is protected.
The Singhali mine, with its 8.45 million tonnes of extractable G-7 grade non-coking coal, is a perfect testbed for this technology. The surface above the mine is densely populated and crisscrossed by high-tension electricity lines and roads, making traditional caving methods impractical. Paste fill technology sidesteps these challenges, allowing mining to proceed without disturbing the surface infrastructure.
But the implications of this project go beyond SECL and the Singhali mine. If successful, it could pave the way for other underground mines facing similar land constraints. It’s a blueprint for green mining, a model that other public sector undertakings (PSUs) and even private players could emulate.
However, the road ahead isn’t without hurdles. The scale of the investment—Rs 7,040 crore—is a testament to the complexity and cost of implementing such technology. Moreover, the success of the project will hinge on the seamless integration of various components, from the engineering of the paste to the execution of the mining process.
The mining industry is at a crossroads. It can continue down the path of traditional, often environmentally damaging practices, or it can embrace innovation and sustainability. SECL’s move towards paste fill technology is a clear vote for the latter. It’s a challenge to the industry, a call to action. Will others follow suit? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the mining sector in India is on the cusp of a significant transformation. The question is, who will lead the charge, and who will be left behind?
