The coal ministry in India is reportedly seeking streamlined and expedited environmental clearances for underground coal mines, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move is seen as an effort to promote coal mining even as India is transitioning towards renewable energy sources.
The ministry is expected to advocate for reduced compliance requirements for approvals of underground coal mines, arguing that they have a lower environmental impact compared to opencast mines. It’s worth noting that coal, whether extracted underground or through opencast mining, remains a significant contributor to global pollution and climate change. However, underground mining is generally considered to have less immediate environmental impact, including reduced human displacement and deforestation.
One of the sources indicated that the coal ministry intends to incentivize and facilitate underground coal mining, including the easing of environmental clearance norms. The proposal to simplify these norms will be presented to the environment ministry.
Approximately 70% of India’s coal reserves are believed to be suitable for underground mining. Presently, underground coal mining accounts for roughly 5% of the country’s overall mining activity. Given the increasing demand for power and the government’s goal of reducing coal import dependency, the Indian government is keen on expanding underground mining. For the fiscal year 2024, the ministry has set a target of producing just over one billion tonnes of coal from underground mining.
The coal ministry is considering categorizing underground coal mines as ‘B2’, which would not require a full-scale environmental impact assessment (EIA). In India, mining projects are categorized as A, B1, and B2 based on factors such as land area, mine size, and their impact on natural and artificial resources. B2 projects typically do not require public consultation and have a faster approval process compared to A and B1 projects.
The aim behind this categorization is to expedite the approval process for underground coal mining projects and facilitate quicker commencement of mining activities.
While queries sent to the coal and environment ministries remain unanswered, it’s clear that the government is exploring various strategies to boost coal production from underground mines. These efforts align with India’s broader goal of shifting from opencast to underground mining and increasing the share of underground-mined coal to 10% by 2030, as outlined by Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi.
Overall, these developments underscore the complex dynamics surrounding coal in India, where the government is simultaneously promoting renewable energy while seeking to optimize the use of domestic coal resources.
