Ranchi, The Jharkhand government has decided to pilot an initiative for scientific rehabilitation and sustainable repurposing of coal mines at two closed units in Ramgarh and Giridih districts, an official said on Thursday.
“The objective of this initiative is to go beyond merely ceasing mining operations and instead transform closed mines into environmentally safe, socially inclusive, and economically productive assets.
The state will soon send its recommendations regarding the two mines to the Centre, the official said. This model, developed on the basis of international experience and modern technologies, can later be applied to other coal regions in the country,” an official statement said. The initiative will be carried out under Technical Cooperation on To-be-Closed Coal Mines project, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Coal and the German organisation GIZ, it said.
The state government has described the initiative as an important step for Jharkhand, saying it is essential to keep mining areas productive even after mineral resources are exhausted, the release added.
It will include a comprehensive assessment of possibilities for repurposing land, water resources, the environment, infrastructure and the local economy after mine closure, the release said. “Land from closed mines can be used for renewable energy, tourism, agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, skill development centres, and other economic activities,” it said. The initiative was discussed in detail at a meeting held here on Wednesday evening, attended by senior state government officials, including state mines secretary Arwa Rajkamal, representatives of GIZ, and officials from the Coal Controller Organisation, Central Coalfields Limited and CMPDI.
