SECL Signs ₹7,040 Crore Agreement with TMC Mineral Resources

New Delhi, April 18 (NationPress) South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has officially entered into a Rs 7,040 crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Private Limited, marking a significant milestone as the first coal public sector unit in India to implement paste fill technology in coal mining.

This initiative represents a pivotal move towards sustainable and environmentally friendly mining practices within the nation, as stated by the Ministry of Coal.

As part of this agreement, extensive coal production will take place utilizing paste fill technology at the Singhali underground coal mine situated in SECL's Korba region. Over the span of 25 years, the project is anticipated to yield around 8.4 million tonnes (84.5 lakh tonnes) of coal.

Paste filling is a contemporary underground mining technique that negates the necessity for surface land acquisition. Following coal extraction, the cavities left behind are filled with a specially formulated paste composed of fly ash, crushed overburden from opencast mines, cement, water, and binding agents. This approach mitigates land subsidence and guarantees the mine's structural integrity.

The paste incorporates industrial waste products, rendering the process environmentally sustainable and fostering waste recycling.

The Singhali underground mine received approval in 1989 for an annual production capacity of 0.24 million tonnes and began operations in 1993. Currently, the mine holds 8.45 million tonnes of extractable reserves of G-7 grade non-coking coal. It was developed using the Bord and Pillar technique, utilizing Load Haul Dumpers (LHDs) and Universal Drilling Machines (UDMs) for its underground operations.

Nonetheless, the surface territory above the mine is heavily populated—featuring villages, high-tension electricity lines, and a Public Works Department (PWD) roadway—making conventional caving techniques impractical due to safety and environmental issues.

With the adoption of paste fill technology, mining activities in this locale can now progress without disrupting the surface infrastructure.

The successful application of this technology in Singhali is expected to facilitate the resumption of operations in other underground mines facing similar land limitations.

With a total investment of Rs 7,040 crore, this project is a significant endeavor to advance green mining technologies in India. It aims to boost coal production while considerably diminishing environmental impact.

SECL CMD Harish Duhan remarked, "I firmly believe that paste fill technology will not only secure the future of underground mining but also provide an innovative, eco-friendly solution. This project is a landmark step towards green mining and will shape the future of the coal industry in the coming years."