SECL Sets Benchmark with Large-Scale Study to Repurpose Abandoned Coal Mines

BILASPUR – South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has made history as the first Coal India Limited (CIL) subsidiary to complete a massive "Repurposing-Oriented Need Assessment Study." The initiative is a major step toward the sustainable transformation of closed and abandoned coal mines into hubs for economic and social development.

A Comprehensive Regional Roadmap

The study, titled “Need Assessment of 100 Villages Around 20 Closed/Abandoned Coal Mines Located in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh,” was conducted by a multidisciplinary research team from Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak. Led by experts including Dr. Krishnamani Bhagwati and Dr. Ramesh B., the team evaluated the socio-economic landscape of 100 villages situated near mining sites.

Key Development Pillars

The final report, submitted to SECL’s Bilaspur headquarters, provides a strategic framework for land use and community upliftment. The proposed roadmap focuses on three primary sectors:

Agriculture-Based Value Addition: Creating new livelihood opportunities for local farmers.

Renewable Energy: Utilizing mine voids and land for green energy generation.

Mine Tourism: Developing abandoned sites into eco-tourism destinations.

The framework is designed with a strong emphasis on social inclusion, specifically targeting youth, women, and Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities to ensure equitable growth.

Leadership and Execution

The successful completion of the project was supported by SECL’s top leadership, including CMD Shri Harish Duhan and Director (Technical) P&P Shri R. C. Mahapatra. The research team also highlighted the critical cooperation of field-level safety officers and Area General Managers in gathering data across the vast mining geography of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

With the study now finalized, SECL is poised to implement targeted development works, turning the environmental legacy of mining into a productive asset for surrounding communities.