Parliament Question: Sustainable coal mining operations

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1806 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 SUSTAINABLE COAL MINING OPERATIONS 1806 SHRI DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) the status of coal mining operations in the State of Maharashtra, particularly in Chandrapur, Nagpur and Yavatmal districts; (b) whether environmental and forest clearance issues have affected production levels; (c) the details of measures taken to balance coal extraction with environmental protection and rehabilitation of affected communities; and (d) whether any mine closures or capacity reductions have been proposed and the steps taken to ensure compliance with environmental norms and sustainable mining practices in the State? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY) (a) Coal mining operations in the State of Maharashtra are carried out by Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) and other companies having coal blocks allocated by the Ministry of Coal. The details of coal mines and the status of mining operations is given as Annexure. (b) Overall coal production levels have not been affected due to Forest Clearance (FC) or Environmental Clearance (EC) issues. (c) Coal extraction is undertaken with due consideration to environmental protection and rehabilitation of affected communities through a comprehensive framework of regulatory compliance, environmental management, and social responsibility measures. Land acquisition for coal mining projects is undertaken under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013; and the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957, which ensures fair and transparent processes for acquiring agricultural and other lands. Mining projects are undertaken only after preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plans (EMP), which assess impacts on air, water, soil, 1forest cover, and biodiversity, and prescribe mitigation measures. Public consultation through Public Hearings ensures participation of local communities and incorporation of their concerns into project planning and implementation. In compliance with Environmental Clearance (EC) and consent conditions, extensive pollution control and environmental protection measures are implemented. These include air pollution control through fixed and mobile sprinklers, fog cannons, mechanical road sweeping, enclosed coal handling plants, truck washing systems, tarpaulin-covered transportation, continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations, wind barriers, and adoption of technologies such as surface miners and First Mile Connectivity projects. Water pollution is addressed through sedimentation ponds, effluent treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, groundwater monitoring, and rainwater harvesting structures. Soil conservation and ecological restoration are undertaken through topsoil preservation, bio- reclamation of overburden dumps, large-scale plantation drives, and reclamation of mined-out areas in consultation with State Forest Departments. Additionally, noise pollution is mitigated through engineering controls, development of green belts around mining areas, and provision of protective equipment to workers, with regular monitoring through accredited laboratories. (d) Mining operations, including closure or capacity adjustments, are carried out in accordance with statutory provisions and environmental safeguards to ensure sustainable mining practices. Environmental Clearance (EC) for coal mining projects is granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change after appraisal and recommendation by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. During appraisal, the EAC considers the approved Mine Plan, including the Mine Closure Plan, which ensures scientific and sustainable mining operations. The process involves screening, scoping, and detailed scientific appraisal before grant of EC. The terms and conditions of EC as well as approved Mine Plans incorporate provisions for environmental protection, safety measures, protection of flora and fauna, and restoration of mined-out areas. Annexure A. List of WCL mines - STATUS SN NAME OF MINE DISTRICT (producing / REMARKS Non-Producing) Durgapur Rayatwari 1 Chandrapur Producing Colliery 2Production stopped and 2 Mahakali Chandrapur Non-Producing protective works for stability are in progress. 3 Nandgaon Incline Chandrapur Producing Production stopped and Hindustan Lalpeth 4 Chandrapur Non-Producing protective works for stability are Colliery- I in progress. 5 Bhatadi Expansion Chandrapur Producing 6 Durgapur Expansion Chandrapur Producing Hindustan Lalpeth 7 Chandrapur Producing Scheme 8 Ballarpur RO Chandrapur Producing Dhoptala OC (Sasti UG 9 Chandrapur Producing to OC) 10 Ballarpur OC Chandrapur Producing 11 Gouri Pauni Expansion Chandrapur Producing Gouri Deep /Gouri 12 Chandrapur Producing Central 13 Pauni-II Expansion Chandrapur Producing 14 Sasti Expansion Chandrapur Producing Reserve Exhausted and used for New Majri - II (A) 15 Chandrapur Non-Producing backfilling of NMUG to OC Expn. Mine. 16 New Majri UG to OC Chandrapur Producing Amalgamated Yekona I 17 Chandrapur Producing & II 18 Penganga OC Chandrapur Producing 19 Kolgaon OC Yavatmal Producing 3Bellora-Naigaon Deep 20 Yavatmal Producing OC Mungoli Nirguda 21 Yavatmal Producing Extention Deep 22 Niljai Deep OC Yavatmal Producing Bhandewara Incline / 23 Yavatmal Producing Rajur 24 Ghonsa Yavatmal Producing 25 Junad Yavatmal Producing 26 Kolarpimpri Yavatmal Producing 27 Ukni Deep Yavatmal Producing Amalgamated Ukni-Pimpalgaon 28 Pimpalgaon Yavatmal Non-Producing OC has been approved on cost plus basis for commissioning. 29 Patansaongi Nagpur Producing 30 Saoner-I Nagpur Producing 31 Saoner-II Nagpur Producing 32 Saoner-III Nagpur Producing 33 Silewara Nagpur Producing Development activities (Incline 34 Waghoda Nagpur Non-Producing Drivage etc) are in progress. 35 Adasa UG to OC Nagpur Producing Amalgamated 36 Nagpur Producing Gondegaon-Ghatrohana Amalgamated Inder 37 Nagpur Producing Kamptee Deep 38 Bhanegaon Nagpur Producing 439 Singhori Nagpur Producing 40 Gokul Nagpur Producing 41 Makardhokra -I Nagpur Producing 42 Makardhokra - III Nagpur Producing B. List of Allocated Mines Allottee STATUS (producing / SN NAME OF MINE DISTRICT Non Producing) 1 Baranj I, Baranj II, Chandrapur Karnataka Power Producing to Baranj III, Baranj IV, Corporation 6 Manora Deep & Kiloni Limited (KPCL) 7 Belgaon Nagpur Sunflag Iron and Producing Steel Company Ltd. 8 Marki Mangli III Yavatmal B.S. Ispat Ltd. Producing 9 Marki Mangli I Yavatmal Topworth Urja and Producing Metals Ltd. 10 Takli-Jena-Bellora Chandrapur Aurobindo Reality Producing (North) & Takli-Jena- And Infrastructure Bellora (South) Private Ltd. 11 Gondkhari Nagpur Adani Power Works for drivage of Maharashtra Ltd. entries is in progress 12 Marki Mangli II Yavatmal Yazdani Non-Operational International Yet to obtain the Private Ltd. permissions/clearances required for 13 Marki Mangli IV Yavatmal Sobhagya Mercantile Ltd. 5commencement of mining 14 Bhivkund Chandrapur Sunflag Iron and operations Steel Company Ltd. 15 Dahegaon-Gowari Nagpur Ambuja Cements Ltd. 16 Kalambi Kalmeshwar Nagpur Samlok Industries (Western Part) Private Ltd. 17 Marki-Zari-Jamani- Yavatmal Nilkanth Infra Adkoli Mining Ltd. 18 Dahegaon/Makardhokra- Nagpur Western Coalfields IV Limited (WCL) 19 Bhandak West Chandrapur New Era Cleantech Solution Private Limited ***** 6