South Eastern Coalfields (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India, has entered into a Rs70.4bn ($823.6m) agreement with TMC Mineral Resources to deploy paste fill technology for coal production over the next 25 years at the Singhali underground coal mine in Korba, Chhattisgarh.
SECL will be the first coal public sector undertaking (PSU) in India to adopt paste fill technology, a move that signifies a shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly mining practices.
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This technology is expected to yield approximately 8.4 million tonnes (mt) of coal from the Singhali underground coal mine.
SECL chairman and managing director Harish Duhan said: “I firmly believe that paste fill technology will not only secure the future of underground mining but also offer an innovative, eco-friendly solution. This project is a landmark step toward green mining and will shape the future of the coal industry in the years to come.”
Paste filling is an advanced underground mining technique that negates the need for surface land acquisition.
Post coal extraction, the voids are filled with a paste composed of fly ash, crushed overburden from opencast mines, cement, water, and binding agents. This method not only prevents land subsidence but also maintains the structural integrity of the mine.
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By GlobalDataThe process incorporates industrial waste materials, thereby promoting environmental sustainability and waste recycling.
The Singhali mine, operational since 1993, currently holds 8.45mt of G-7 grade non-coking coal reserves and was initially developed using the Bord and Pillar method.
The densely populated surface area above the mine, with villages, high-tension electricity lines, and a Public Works Department road, has made traditional caving methods impractical due to safety and environmental concerns.
Paste fill technology enables mining to continue without disrupting the surface structures.
The application of this technology at Singhali is anticipated to set a precedent for restarting operations in other underground mines facing similar land constraints.
In March 2024, SECL secured environmental clearance for its Gevra mine, which is also located in the Korba area.
