Executive Summary:
This document is the official response from the Minister of Coal Mines to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 142, addressed on July 30, 2025, regarding the dumping of coal mine waste in the Tikak Colliery Area of Ledo by North Eastern Coalfields Coal India Limited NEC CIL. It details the current status of dumping activities, land occupation, waste quantity, affected families, future plans, complaints received, impact assessments, and mitigation measures. Mining operations at Tikak Extension OC have been halted since June 1, 2025, due to lack of dumping space.
Key Points / Main Content:
Dumping Activities and Land Occupation:
* Tikak Extension Opencast (OC) is the only operating mine of North Eastern Coalfields (NEC).
* Mining operations at Tikak Extension OC have been halted since June 1, 2025, due to the non-availability of dumping space.
* The land for the overburden dump of Tikak Extension OCP belongs to Coal India Limited, with a No Objection Certificate obtained from the District Administration of Tinsukia.
* The area covered by the overburden dumping ground of Tikak Extension OCP is approximately 51.91 hectares.
* The total quantity of overburden/coal mining waste dumped is approximately 8 Million Cubic Meters.
Affected Families:
* Approximately 292 families have encroached on the designated overburden dumping ground.
* These encroachers are not categorized as 'affected families' under the Rehabilitation & Resettlement Policy of Coal India Limited or the RFCTLARR Act, 2013.
Future Plans:
* Coal India Limited has no plans to construct any new coal dumping grounds in the Tinsukia district.
Grievance Redressal:
* NEC CIL has not received any complaints under the Grievance Complaints and Redressal Cell regarding the expansion of dumping grounds in Ledo.
* Notices/Orders have been received from the National Human Rights Commission (dated 07.11.2024), the Assam Human Rights Commission (dated 17.01.2025), and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (dated 28.01.2025), and appropriate replies have been submitted.
Impact Assessment:
* An Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan report were prepared and submitted to MoEFCC during Environmental Clearance for mining activities in Tikak Extension OCP.
Mitigation Measures:
* Effluent water is treated to meet discharge standards.
* Overburden (OB) dumping is done scientifically with slope stability measures, including retaining toe wall construction.
* Third-party evaluation of environmental quality and monitoring of fish species are conducted to ensure no damage to the environment and public health.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC):
* Impact: Receives reports on effluent water treatment and environmental quality.
* Action Required: Review submitted reports.
State Pollution Control Board, Assam:
* Impact: Receives reports on effluent water treatment.
* Action Required: Review submitted reports.
Coal India Limited (CIL) / North Eastern Coalfields (NEC):
* Impact: Responsible for managing dumping activities, implementing mitigation measures, and addressing complaints/notices.
* Action Required: Continue scientific dumping practices, maintain effluent treatment standards, respond to any further notices from commissions, and explore alternative dumping solutions given the halt in operations.
State Government:
* Impact: Informed about the halt of mining operations due to lack of dumping space.
* Action Required: Address the issue of dumping space non-availability to resume mining operations.
Encroaching Families:
* Impact: Currently residing on the designated overburden dumping ground but not entitled to resettlement or rehabilitation benefits under existing policies.
* Action Required: No specific action mentioned, but the situation may require further consideration from CIL or the government.
Hon'ble National Human Rights Commission, Hon'ble Assam Human Rights Commission, Hon'ble National Commission for Scheduled tribes:
* Impact: Submitted notices/orders regarding the overburden dumping issue of Tikak Extension OCP.
* Action Required: Review replies submitted by NECCIL.
Key Entities Referenced
Tikak Colliery Area of Ledo: A coal mining area located in Ledo, Assam, where coal mining waste dumping occurs.
North Eastern Coalfields (NEC): A subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) responsible for coal mining operations in the northeastern region of India.
Coal India Limited (CIL): A state-owned coal mining company in India.
Tinsukia district: An administrative district in the state of Assam, where potential new coal dumping grounds were considered.
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013: An Indian law related to land acquisition and the rehabilitation and resettlement of affected people.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental regulation and conservation.
Assam: A state in northeast India where Tikak Colliery and Tinsukia district are located.
National Human Rights Commission: Statutory body constituted on 12 October, 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance of 28 September, 1993.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *142
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
Dumping of Coal Mine Waste
*142. Shri Pradyut Bordoloi:
Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the dumping of coal mining waste in the Tikak Colliery Area of Ledo
by North Eastern Coalfields Coal India Limited (NEC CIL) alongwith the land occupied
by dumping grounds and the quantity of waste dumped there and the number of
families affected therefrom;
(b) whether Coal India Limited (CIL) has plans to construct any new coal dumping
grounds in Tinsukia district and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether NEC CIL’s Grievance Complaints and Redressal Cell has received
complaints regarding the expansion of dumping grounds in Ledo and if so, the details
thereof;
(d) whether CIL has conducted surveys to assess the impact of coal dumping from its
mines in Ledo and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the mitigation measures put in place to prevent existing and proposed
coal dumping grounds from affecting the region’s environment?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COAL & MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 142 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
ASKED BY SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI, HON’BLE M.P., REGARDING ‘DUMPING
OF COAL MINE WASTE’.
(a): Tikak Extension Opencast (OC) is the only operating mine of North Eastern
Coalfields (NEC), and the mining operation is carried out systematically and
scientifically in accordance with the applicable Acts, Rules, and Regulations, including
Environmental laws.
It is pertinent to inform that the mining operation of Tikak extension OC has been put
to a complete halt w.e.f. 01.06.2025 due to the non-availability of dumping space. The
matter has been intimated to the State Government.
The land for the overburden dump of Tikak Extension OCP, belongs to Coal India
Limited. No Objection Certificate for the land for overburden dumping of Tikak
Extension OCP has been obtained by NEC from the District Administration of Tinsukia.
The area covered by the overburden dumping ground of Tikak Extension OCP as per
project report is about 51.91 hectares. The total quantity of overburden/coal mining
waste dumped in the designated dump till date is approximately, 8 Million Cubic
Meters.
Around 292 families have encroached on the designated overburden dumping ground
of Tikak Extension OCP. The encroachers or non-legal title holders cannot be
categorized as 'affected family' for extending necessary resettlement or rehabilitation
benefits/relief under the Rehabilitation & Resettlement Policy of Coal India Limited as
well as under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition ,
Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 ( RFCT&LARR Act, 2013).
(b): Coal India Limited has no plan to construct any new coal dumping grounds in
Tinsukia district.
(c): NEC/ CIL has not received any complaints under the Grievance Complaints and
Redressal Cell. However, in connection with the overburden dumping issue of Tikak
Extension OCP, NEC/CIL has received Notices/Orders from:
1. Hon'ble National Human Rights Commission, dated 07.11.2024.
2. Hon'ble Assam Human Rights Commission, dated 17.01.2025
3. Hon'ble National Commission for Scheduled tribes, dated 28.01.2025
NEC has submitted appropriate replies to the above-mentioned Hon'ble Commissions.
(d): The mining activities in Tikak Extension OCP was started after obtaining
Environmental Clearance from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEF&CC), for which an Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental
Management Plan report was prepared and submitted to MoEFCC during
Environmental Clearance.(e): Mitigation measures implemented to minimize the environmental impact of coal
dumping grounds include::-
1. The effluent water generated form Tikak Extension Open Cast Project has been
treated to meet the discharge standards notified by the various Authorities, such
as the Central Pollution Control Board/ State Pollution Control Board/ Ministry
of Environment, Forest and Climate change. The same report is submitted to
State Pollution Control Board, Assam and regional office of Ministry of
Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
2. The OB dump of Tikak Extension OC is done scientifically based on scientific
studies that were carried out to ensure slope stability. The OB dumping is done
as per dumping schedule of the project report and the construction of retaining
toe wall around the dump is done to prevent washing away of overburden and
shall continue as the dumping progresses.
3. Third party evaluation of the Environmental Quality and status of the mine by
NEC/CIL along with monitoring of species of fishes in nearby rivers is done by
reputed Institute of Excellence to ensure that there is no damage to
environment and public health.
******