South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India, has entered into a Rs 7,040-crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Pvt Ltd to implement large-scale coal production using innovative paste filling technology. This marks a significant milestone as SECL becomes the first coal PSU in India to adopt this advanced underground mining method.
What is Paste Filling Technology?
Paste filling is a modern mining technique that eliminates the need to acquire surface land. After coal extraction, mined-out voids are filled with a specially prepared paste made from fly ash, crushed overburden from opencast mines, cement, water, and binding chemicals. This process prevents land subsidence and ensures the structural stability of the mine, making it a safer and more sustainable approach.
Project Details
The agreement focuses on the Singhali underground coal mine located in SECL’s Korba area. Over the next 25 years, the project is expected to produce approximately 8.4 million tonnes of coal. The Singhali mine, approved in 1989 and operational since 1993, has 8.45 million tonnes of extractable reserves of non-coking coal. The introduction of paste filling technology addresses challenges posed by densely occupied surface areas, including villages, high-tension electricity lines, and public roads.
Impact and Future Prospects
The successful implementation of paste filling technology at Singhali is expected to pave the way for resuming operations in other underground mines facing similar land constraints. This innovative approach underscores SECL’s commitment to sustainable mining practices and sets a precedent for other coal PSUs in India.
