India's Ministry of Coal Proposes Accelerating Commercial Coal Mine Production and Intelligent Upgrading

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 5, India's Minister of Coal and Mines Kishan Reddy, at the Fourth Mining Ministers' Conference held in Goa, proposed reform directions including accelerating the commissioning of commercial coal mines, advancing coal gasification, and expanding the application of intelligent mining technologies. The Indian government requires states to accelerate the development of already auctioned coal mines, promote auctions of new mining blocks and resource exploration, and introduce artificial intelligence and digital technologies into mineral exploration, mine operations, and mineral recovery. The conference was held from November 5 to 6, and India's Ministry of Coal simultaneously proposed reform priorities for further expanding private enterprise participation in commercial coal mining.

Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary of India's Ministry of Coal, proposed at the conference that commercial coal mining, the revised SHAKTI coal supply mechanism, and the Coal SETU program will continue to be reform priorities. Related work includes simplifying coal mine development procedures, increasing private capital participation, accelerating the commissioning of allocated coal mines, and promoting improvements in industrial infrastructure and project implementation conditions in coal-producing states.

India's Ministry of Coal also required states to expand the application of artificial intelligence, digitalization, and advanced mining technologies in resource exploration, mine production, and mineral recovery. The conference proposed promoting modern safe mining technologies, coal gasification processes, and first-mile coal transport connectivity facilities, as well as strengthening technological upgrades in coal logistics systems and mine production management.

Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, required at the conference that mine ecological restoration, land reclamation, and resettlement and livelihood restoration for communities affected by mining activities be incorporated into the initial planning of mine development. The related requirements also cover mine safety, environmental protection, post-closure land use, and community safeguard arrangements.

India's Ministry of Coal stated at the conference that the country's coal production has exceeded 1 billion tonnes for two consecutive fiscal years. Senior officials of the Ministry of Coal also gave special presentations on previously implemented approval procedure reforms, commercial coal mining market access, and obstacles to project development, requiring central and local governments to coordinate in addressing land, environmental, and infrastructure matters needed for coal mine construction.