See Full Document Text
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4209
ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026
REVIVAL OF THE CHINAKURI UNDERGROUND MINES
4209. SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA:
Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has approved the revival/operationalisation of the Chinakuri
underground mine under Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in Paschim Bardhaman district in
West Bengal
(b) if so, the details thereof including the revenue-sharing model, private partner, if any,
projected production investment and expected benefits for the local economy;
(c) the specific reasons for early closure of the mine including technical, safety, financial
and environmental factors and the estimated loss of jobs and income for affected workers
and local communities;
(d) the measures taken or proposed to improve productivity, reduce operational
inefficiencies, modernise technology and strengthen the mine’s overall financial viability so
as to avoid recurrence of past difficulties; and
(e) the details of the safeguards adopted to ensure ecologically safe and socially responsible
operation including land subsidence control, pollution mitigation, mine closure plans, workers’
safety and protection of employment and welfare of the local population?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES
(SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)
(a) & (b): The Chinakuri underground mine is a working mine. The mine has been awarded
to M/s BKB Transport Pvt. Ltd. in MDO (Mine Developer and Operator) revenue sharing mode
on 23.12.2022. Mining Plan of 1.0 MTY was approved by ECL Board on 24.09.2024. Mine
has been handed over to MDO on 11.06.2025. The MDO has offered revenue sharing of 8.00%
to ECL.
There is no investment from ECL as mine is to be operated by MDO. Projected production
from the mine is given below: -
Projected Production in lakh tonne
1st Year 1.5
2nd Year 1.5
3rd Year 2
4th Year 2.55th Year 2.5
6th Year 4
7th Year 4.5
8th Year 4.5
9th Year 8
10th Year 8
11th Year 8
12th Year 8
13th Year 10
14th Year 10
15th Year 8
16th Year 10
17th Year 10
18th Year 8
19th Year 8
20th Year 8
21st Year 8
22nd Year 8
23rd Year 8
24th Year 8
25th Year 8
Total 167
(c): The mine was discontinued as coal deposit in the mine was at a depth of more than 500
m. There was no loss of job of workers as they were deployed in other nearby mines of ECL.
(d): The following measures have been taken to improve productivity, reduce operational
inefficiencies, modernise technology and strengthen the mine’s overall financial viability so
as to avoid recurrence of past difficulties:
• Hiring of MDO for working of the mine as stated above.
• MDO has currently deployed LHD (load haul dump) machines with belt conveyor.
• MDO has proposed to deploy continuous cutting technology (Standard Height
Continuous Miner, Road Header & Longwall with stowing).
(e): The details of the safeguards adopted to ensure ecologically safe and socially responsible
operation of the Chinakuri Underground Coal Mine are as follows:
• All previously deployed manpower of Eastern Coalfields Limited at Chinakuri UG
Mine has been redeployed at other nearby mines without any retrenchment. Further, the
MDO has employed around 544 persons.
• Welfare measures include provision of amenities such as school bus and ambulance
services and installation of an RO plant near village Junut for employees and the local
population.
• With regard to workers’ safety, mining operations are carried out in compliance with
the Mines Act, 1952; Coal Mines Regulations, 2017; and Occupational Safety, Health
and Working Conditions Code, 2020, under the supervision of the Directorate General
of Mines Safety (DGMS). Workers are provided with mandatory PPE, continuous gas
monitoring systems are in place, and regular safety training and pre-shift safety talks
are conducted.• Land subsidence control is ensured as per the approved Mining Plan and other
guidelines.
• Pollution mitigation measures are implemented as per the Environmental Clearance
conditions.
• The approved Mine Closure Plan has been submitted to the Coal Controller
Organisation (CCO) and is monitored through its field offices.
*****