New Delhi: In a landmark achievement for sustainable mining practices in India, the Ministry of Coal issued final mine closure certificates for three mines in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul District. This marks the first time such certificates have been granted in the history of Indian coal mining, a PIB press release stated.
Certificates were presented to Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) for the Pathakhera Area, encompassing Pathakhera Mine No-II UG, Pathakhera Mine No- I UG, and Satpura II UG Mine. The closures were necessitated by the exhaustion of coal reserves in the respective mines.
Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, and Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey, presided over the event. Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Sajeesh Kumar N, Coal Controller; and senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, Coal Controller Organisation, and CMDs of Coal/Lignite PSUs were also in attendance.
The Coal Controller Organisation, a subordinate office of the Ministry of Coal, issued the certificates after verifying that the mine owner had completed all protective, reclamation, and rehabilitation works as per the approved mining plan. This significant step underscores the commitment of the coal sector to responsible and environmentally friendly mining practices. The closure certificates not only signify the successful completion of mining operations but also highlight the potential for revitalizing landscapes and generating employment opportunities through sustainable practices.
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