The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) formed under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has earmarked several coal projects for grant of environment clearance (EC) based upon deliberations carried out in a review meeting held last month.
In total, seven coal projects having annual production capacity of 36.06 million tonnes (mnt) received nod for EC.
Among the beneficiaries, Coal India subsidiary-Mahanadi Coalfields’ proposal for grant of terms of reference for Kulda opencast mine was accepted. The miner was seeking extension in mining area from 634.205 Ha to 921.305 Ha to carry out operation at its 21 mnt capacity Kulda mine.
CIL subsidiary in Maharashtra, Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) was successful in securing EC recommendation for two of its coal projects.
The company received approval for amendment in EC for Pauni opencast of 0.9 mnt capacity in a reduced mining lease area from 255.0 ha to 239.58 ha. The disposed land would be used separately for amalgamation with existing Gauri project.
In fact, the proposal for expansion of Gauri-Pauni mining project was passed with increase in production capacity from 3.4 mnt to 3.5 mnt and increase in mine lease area from 916.11 ha to 1296.42 ha.
On similar lines, Central Coalfields’ North Urimari project was recommended for expansion in production capacity from 3 mnt to 3.6 mnt.
Apart from CIL subsidiaries, state-owned miner in Telangana, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), received recommendation for grant of terms of reference for its Jawahar Khani mine. The project involves amalgamation of JK-5 and 21 Incline mines with combined capacity of 2.5 mnt in an area of 1114.507 ha.
Approval for captive miners
The rising thrust on ensuring country’s energy security has put the coal companies under pressure so as to scale-up their production levels.
Besides the state-run companies, there has been remarkable contribution from the private sector with several captive miners commencing operations at the mines allocated to them. At the same time, existing miners are making efforts to increase production by expanding the mining capacity.
Based upon discussion made in the review meeting, Amelia (North) mine allocated to Jaiprakash Power Ventures received clearance from EAC regarding expansion of production capacity from 2.8 mnt to 3.36 mnt across 728.75 ha area.
Further, EAC has recommended the proposal for expansion of Gangaramchak and Gangaramchak-Bhadulia opencast mine from production capacity of 1 mnt to 1.2 mnt submitted by West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited.
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