Coal and Coal Mining in India

Introduction to Coal

Coal is a carbonaceous material which exists in stratified sedimentary deposits.
It is a main fossil fuel and natural source of energy.

• Uses
  • Coal is used to make coke for the metallurgical purposes and electricity.
  • Gasification and liquefaction of coal produces gaseous and liquid fuels, respectively.
• Fossil Fuel
  • Fossil fuel, or ‘Black Gold‘, is a traditional source of energy used extensively in domestic industries and thermal power generation.
• Global Leaders
  • Global leaders in coal production are China, US, Australia, Indonesia, and India.
• Indian coal distribution is as follows:
  • Gondwana coal fields
    • 98.8% of the total reserves and 99% of the production in India.
  • Tertiary coal fields
    • 15-60 million years old, wet and sulphurous, restricted to extra-peninsular regions.
• Classification:
  • Anthracite (80 – 95% carbon content, found in small quantities in J&K).
  • Bituminous (60 – 80% of carbon content and is found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh).
  • Lignite (40 to 55% carbon content, high moisture content and is found in Rajasthan, Lakhimpur (Assam) and Tamil Nadu).
  • Peat (less than 40% carbon content and it is in the first stage of transformation from organic matter (wood) to coal).

Coal Mining in India

• India is endowed with ancient coal mines, including Gondwana and tertiary coalfields.
• Background
  • Coal mining started as early as in 1774 by the East India Company.
• Government Vision
  • The Government is targeting a higher production of coal through allocations of land, acquisition of land support, and coordination with railway.

Government Steps to Boost Production of Coal

• Commercial auction of coal based on revenue share mechanism
  • Four rounds of auctions were held since June 2020.
• Surplus coal output is allowed for sales
  • Ministerial Coal Department was amended over the Mineral Concession Rules 1960 to ensure selling of either lignite and or coal
• Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation Act )
  • Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation Act ) was amendment which released other quantities of coal,.
• Policy
  • The policy of conducting auction of mine will be initiated so that they go on as rolled auctions while taking into its expedition.
• Single Window Clearance
  • The union government initiated the coal sector to expedite operationalization of the coal mines. Coal India Ltd.
• Coal Energy Sector in India
  • Coal Requirements in India
    • Coal demand in India is projected to increase by 63% by 2030, and this clearly means a big share of coal in the energy basket.
    • But still, it imports large volumes of coal from outside due to low productivity and environmental issues.

Technology for Improved Coal Mining

• HEMMs and Surface Miners
  • Modern technologies like High capacity Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMMs) and Surface Miners are being used to improve the quality of coal mining.
• First Mile Connectivity (FMC)
  • First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects are being implemented for efficient coal transportation.
• 3D terrestrial laser scanners
  • 3D terrestrial laser scanners are being used for overburden measurement accuracy.
• Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
  • Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are being introduced for improved mine mapping and monitoring.
• Other technological interventions
  • Other technological interventions include slope monitoring technologies, collision avoidance systems, and automated Mist-based Water sprinkling systems.

Measures to Mitigate Pollution

• Coal mining activities release and distribute suspended particulate matter into the atmosphere, causing a wide range of air pollution controlling measures.
• Measures include fixed sprinklers, mobile water sprinklers, long-throw fog canons, mist-type water spraying systems, side cladding with GI Sheet, control blasting techniques, modern equipment with environment-friendly features, and use of drills with wet drilling and dust extractors.
• To prevent coal spillage from trucks, all loaded coal transporting trucks are covered by tarpaulin and overloading is prohibited.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q1. Consider the following statements: (2019)

1. Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi.
2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis.
3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 and 3 only 
(c) 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Exp:

• Coal sector was nationalised in two phases under Indira Gandhi Government in 1972. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The coal blocks are allocated through auctions and not on a lottery basis. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• The coal sector is the monopolistic sector in India. India holds 5th biggest coal reserves in the world, but due to the incapacity of coal production by monopolistic firms, it imports coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
• Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q2. Which of the following is/are the characteristic/characteristics of Indian coal? (2013)

1. High ash content
2. Low sulphur content
3. Low ash fusion temperature

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Mains

Q. Despite India being one of the countries of Gondwanaland, its mining industry contributes much less to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss. (2021)

Q. “In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Discuss. (2017)