News Update

DGFT extends RoDTEP benefits only up to 5th Feb, 2025Trump inks order to shut down US Education DepartmentFinance Bill 2025 to be passed in LS today; Opposition girds up for bedlamK Coventry, first woman and first African, elected as President of International Olympic CommitteeBig 4 assails IRS for unfair tax treatment of CokeUS sanctions Chinese refinery for purchase of oil from Houthi-linked shipsGlacier regions suffer serious erosion for 3rd year on trot: UNNvidia to set up quantum computing labTesla recalls 46K Cybertrucks over design faultsIndia-Latin America & Caribbean partnership holds potential for trade expansion: GoyalOver 10,000 Indians are behind bar in foreign jails: GovtThe Trump Card (See TII Edit)Govt plans Sagarmala 2.0 with new funding to bridge Infra gaps: SonowalEli Lilly launches weight loss drug Mounjaro in IndiaCus - DEPB licences - Cancellation order is predicated on adverse conclusions drawn against the petitioner, without even adjudicating the SCN issued as far back as 2005 - Petition allowed: HCNew IT Rules mandate faster removal of Harmful Online ContentGST - Taxable supply shown twice - Without providing any opportunity of hearing, contrary to the provisions of s.75(4), respondent has passed the impugned OIO - Orders quashed and matter remanded: HCMinister briefs House Panel on Heavy Electrical Equipment & incentive to EVsBCCI showers Rs 58 Cr reward to team for winning Champions TrophyNew Income Tax Bill 2025: A dismal reality of missed opportunity!India plans Chandrayaan-4 Mission with advanced docking: MoSNorth India's first Nuclear project coming up in HaryanaEVs’ prices going to be same as petrol cars in 6 months: Gadkari
 
No directive to mining companies to review EIA for carbon emissions: Minister

By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAR 18, 2025: IN line with India's Panchamrit & Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments, Ministry of Coal is promoting sustainable coal mining and reduction in carbon footprint by encouraging the following:

- Greening Initiatives - Bio-Reclamation/Plantation: The Coal/Lignite PSUs have been constantly making efforts to minimize the footprints of coal mining through sustained reclamation and afforestation of areas in and around their operating mines.

- Energy Efficiency Measures: Coal/Lignite PSUs have been taking various energy conservation and efficiency measures over the years to reduce carbon intensity such as replacement of conventional lights with LED lights, installation of energy-efficient air conditioners, super fans, deployment of EVs and installation of efficient water heaters, energy-efficient motors for pumps, auto timers in street lights etc.

- Green Credit Programme: Coal PSUs are also participating in extensive plantation under Green Credit Program launched by MoEF&CC.

- First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects: The 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.

- Deployment of Blast free technology in coal mining: Coal companies are deploying modern equipment having environment friendly features, like Surface Miner, Continuous Miner in coal mining, which eliminates the drilling, blasting and crushing operations in coal and hence, in turn, obviates pollution caused due to these operations. Rippers are also being deployed for blast-less removal of overburden in some mines.

- Renewable Energy and clean coal initiatives: Coal PSUs have also started commissioning Renewable Energy power projects. Additionally, they are venturing into various clean coal technologies like Coal gasification, Coal Bed methane (CBM) etc.

Sustainable coal production is being promoted by ensuring compliance with applicable environmental laws like prior Environmental Clearance (EC), Forest Clearance (FC), Consent to Operate (CTO), Consent to Establish (CTE) etc. In addition, the steps adopted to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact due to coal mining includes:

- Use of surface miners, continuous miners, highwall / longwall mining, etc.

- Increasing installation & usage of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) initiatives 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.

At present, there is no specific directive / guideline stipulating the number of times mining companies are required to review their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), particularly with reference to carbon emissions.

This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha yesterday.


POST YOUR COMMENTS
   

TIOL Tube Latest

Shri Shailendra Kumar reading Citation for Sir Ratan Tata.



Shri Vijay Kumar delivering welcome address at TIOL Congress 2025.


Justice C V Bhadang addressing the gathering at TIOL Congress 2025.