**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Coal responded to a parliamentary question regarding the redevelopment of closed coal mines in India, referencing examples in Germany, the UK, and Australia. The response outlines the government's plans to repurpose closed mines into tourist spots, cultural centers, and industrial areas. It also details measures for ensuring alternative employment and social security for workers affected by mine closures, in line with the 2025 guidelines.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Repurposing of Closed Coal Mines:**
* Closed coal mines in countries like Germany, United Kingdom, and Australia have been redeveloped into tourist spots, cultural centers, reservoirs, or for industrial purposes.
* The Government of India also proposes to redevelop and repurpose closed coal mines in the country.
* **Repurposing Initiatives by Coal PSUs:**
* Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have undertaken various initiatives, including:
* Development of ecoparks and mine tourism sites.
* Creation of recreational parks.
* Pisciculture in mine voids.
* Solar power projects.
* Community-oriented facilities.
* Notable examples include projects by SECL, WCL, CCL, MCL, ECL and BCCL.
* **Guidelines for Mine Closure:**
* Closure and repurposing of coal mines are undertaken as per the Guidelines for Preparation of Mining Plan and Mine Closure Plan for Coal and Lignite Blocks 2025.
* The guidelines emphasize land reclamation, environmental restoration, and post-mining utilization for community and economic benefit.
* They provide directions for minimizing ecological damage, rehabilitating land, and integrating activities such as agriculture, pisciculture, ecoparks, waterbody restoration, green energy projects, and cultural or heritage promotion.
* The guidelines also encourage engagement of local communities in operation and maintenance of public spaces.
* **Workers' Welfare:**
* Permanent workers are redeployed to other operating mines when a mine is closed due to resource exhaustion.
* PSUs undertake skill development and livelihood programs for local communities to enhance employability and create alternative income opportunities, as per Mine Closure Guidelines and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies.
* A minimum of 25% of the five-yearly escrow amount deposited for mine closure is to be utilized for community development and livelihood activities.
* 10% of the final mine closure cost is earmarked for Just Transformation, to be used for socio-economic transition, skill development, and sustained livelihood support in post-mining areas.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Coal/Lignite PSUs:**
* *Impact:* Required to undertake repurposing initiatives, land reclamation, and environmental restoration of closed mines as per the 2025 guidelines. Responsible for worker redeployment, skill development programs, and utilizing escrow funds for community development.
* *Action Required:* Implement repurposing projects, adhere to the mine closure guidelines, manage worker redeployment, and execute community development programs.
* **Mine Workers:**
* *Impact:* Permanent workers ensured continuity of employment through redeployment. Access to skill development and livelihood programs.
* *Action Required:* Participate in redeployment opportunities and skill development programs.
* **Local Communities:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from community-oriented facilities, employment opportunities in public spaces, and skill development programs.
* *Action Required:* Engage in community programs and participate in the operation and maintenance of public spaces.
* **District Administration:**
* *Impact:* Consulted on the use of funds earmarked for Just Transformation to ensure effective socio-economic transition.
* *Action Required:* Collaborate with PSUs to determine appropriate use of Just Transformation funds for community development and livelihood support.
Key Entities Referenced
Germany: A country mentioned as an example of one that has redeveloped closed coal mines.
United Kingdom: A country mentioned as an example of one that has redeveloped closed coal mines.
Australia: A country mentioned as an example of one that has redeveloped closed coal mines.
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL): A Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) undertaking repurposing initiatives.
Western Coalfields Limited (WCL): A Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) undertaking repurposing initiatives.
Central Coalfields Limited (CCL): A Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) undertaking repurposing initiatives.
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL): A Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) undertaking repurposing initiatives.
Guidelines for Preparation of Mining Plan and Mine Closure Plan for Coal and Lignite Blocks2025: A set of guidelines emphasizing scientific and socially responsible mine closure, land reclamation, environmental restoration and postmining utilization for community and economic benefit.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-†2898
ANSWERED ON- 06/08/2025
DEVELOPMENT OF CLOSED COAL MINES AS TOURIST PLACES
†2898. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:
Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the closed coal mines have been redeveloped as tourist spots, cultural
centres, reservoirs or for industrial use in countries like Germany, United Kingdom and
Australia;
(b) if so, whether the Government also proposes to redevelop, beautify or repurpose the closed
coal mines in the country;
(c) if so, the names of the major projects in the country where closed coal mines are being
converted or have been converted into new forms; and
(d) whether the Government is ensuring that alternative employment, social security or
financial assistance is provided to the workers employed in the mines after their closure and if
so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) Yes, in countries such as Germany, United Kingdom and Australia, a few closed coal mines
have been repurposed into tourist spots, cultural centres, reservoirs or for industrial purposes
etc.
(b) Yes.
(c) Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have undertaken various repurposing
initiatives, such as the development of eco-parks, mine tourism sites, recreational parks,
pisciculture in mine voids, solar power projects and other community-oriented facilities. Some
notable examples include:• Bishrampur (Kenapara) and Ananya Vatika in South Eastern Coalfields Limited
(SECL)
• Saoner Eco Park in Western Coalfields Limited (WCL)
• Kayakalp Vatika and Pisciculture at Kerketta Mine Void in Central Coalfields Limited
(CCL)
• C S Azad Eco Park at Orient Mine No. 4 in Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL)
• Sindoor Eco Park and Mango Orchard at Jhanjra in Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL)
• Parasnath Udyan in Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL)
In India, closure and repurposing of coal mines are now undertaken as per the Guidelines for
Preparation of Mining Plan and Mine Closure Plan for Coal and Lignite Blocks-2025. These
guidelines emphasize scientific and socially responsible mine closure, including land
reclamation, environmental restoration and post-mining utilization for community and
economic benefit. These guidelines provide detailed directions for minimizing long-term
ecological damage, rehabilitating land for multiple uses and integrating activities such as
agriculture, pisciculture, eco-parks, waterbody restoration, green energy projects and cultural
or heritage promotion. These guidelines also encourage engagement of local communities in
operation and maintenance of public spaces, fostering employment and enhancing the cultural
relevance of post-mining land use.
(d) Coal/Lignite PSUs are currently augmenting production to meet the country’s growing
energy needs. In cases where a mine is closed due to resource exhaustion, permanent workers
are redeployed to other operating mines, ensuring continuity of employment.
Additionally, as per the Mine Closure Guidelines and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
policies, PSUs undertake skill development and livelihood programmes for local communities
to enhance employability and create alternative income opportunities. The Guidelines for
Preparation of Mining Plan and Mine Closure Plan for Coal and Lignite Blocks-2025 mandate
that a minimum of 25% of the five-yearly escrow amount deposited for mine closure is to be
utilized for community development and livelihood activities. Further, these guidelines
stipulates that 10% of the final mine closure cost is earmarked for Just Transformation. This
amount is to be used in consultation with district administration and stakeholders for socio-
economic transition, skill development and sustained livelihood support in post-mining areas.
*****