Neyveli, Feb 23 (TNT): Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy on Monday inaugurated a two-day National Workshop on “Moving Beyond Extraction – Mine Closure & Repurposing” at NLC India Limited (NLCIL), underscoring the Centre’s focus on sustainable mining and scientific mine closure.
In his keynote address, Reddy said mine closure is of national importance and aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
He called for pursuing an International Guinness World Record for scientific mine closures and announced that he would personally oversee a mine closure project at Western Coalfields.
He also urged officials to take responsibility for restoration works and ensure transparency through regular public communication.
Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt said NLCIL was an ideal venue for hosting the workshop in view of its environmental initiatives.
NLCIL CMD Prasanna Kumar Motupalli said the company has reclaimed 3,115 hectares out of 6,473 hectares of mined land and is producing one million metric tonnes of M-sand from overburden. He added that the company has set a target of achieving 10 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
During the visit, the Minister released a book on avian diversity in Neyveli’s reclaimed land and an e-souvenir. He also virtually inaugurated a 50 MW solar power plant at Mine-II, rooftop solar installations at thermal power stations and an Eco Park at the Barsingsar Lignite Mine in Rajasthan.
Foundation stones were laid through video conferencing for integrated township projects at Talabira II & III OCP and Pachhwara South OCP. On the occasion, officials of the State Bank of India handed over cheques worth ₹1.10 crore towards settlement of insurance claims for the family of a deceased employee under the Corporate Salary Plan.
The Minister also visited “Ananda Illam” (Elders’ Home), inaugurated the Elders’ Walkway, unveiled the official logo commemorating the 70th year of NLC India Limited and inaugurated the Platinum Jubilee Garden as part of the celebrations.
The workshop, attended by over 200 delegates including senior officials from the Coal Ministry, Coal India Limited (CIL), Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) and other stakeholders, focuses on ecological restoration and productive reuse of post-mining landscapes. It will conclude on February 24.
Earlier, Reddy reviewed the company’s operations and future growth plans and interacted with representatives of trade unions, associations and other stakeholders. He visited mining sites, interacted with employees, participated in a tree plantation drive and toured reclaimed land where paddy cultivation is being undertaken.
As part of community outreach initiatives, the Minister donated cows to tribal beneficiaries at a goshala and visited a bat habitat site to highlight biodiversity conservation in mining areas. He also inaugurated a Butterfly Park in the reclamation zone and launched the Overburden-to-Sand Project aimed at sustainable utilisation of mining by-products.
Reddy further flagged off an eco-tourism bus initiative for school children to promote environmental awareness and visited exhibition stalls showcasing mine models and technological advancements in sustainable mining.
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