Underground mining revolution drives Coal India's green pivot

As environmental demands intensify, Coal India Limited emphasises mechanised underground extraction to minimise land use and dust while boosting coking coal output.

- Kumar Abhishek Area Manager Planning, Coal India Limited

Could you provide an overview of Coal India's (CIL) role in the global and Indian mineral ecosystem?

Coal India Limited is the world's largest coal producer, holding an unparalleled, near-monopoly position in the Indian coal mining sector. Our role is fundamental to India's energy security, as coal remains the backbone of the nation's power and industrial sectors.

At IME, we highlighted our decisive shift toward mechanised underground mining. We showcased a model of the renowned Moonidih Colliery, which was a historical landmark in Indian mining. Moonidih was the pioneer in introducing the high-productivity Powered Support Longwall (PSLW) technology in India, which was first deployed in 1978. This mine's notable production of over 22 million tonnes of coking coal from underground reserves underscored the potential of this technology, which CIL was now focusing on expanding across its operations.

What are the major trends shaping the mining sector in India and globally over the next two to three years, and how is Coal India positioning itself to capitalise on them?