Govt curtails CIL mine expansion on pollution concerns

The Indian Government has said that it has given green clearance to a subsidiary of Coal India for phase one production expansion of Kusmunda mine in Chhattisgarh to only upto 26 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) instead of 50 MTPA sought earlier. As per reports, the Kusmunda open cast mine, which presently produces 18.75 MTPA of coal of power grade, is operated by South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) -- the country's largest coal producing company and the flagship entity of state-owned Coal India Ltd (CIL). As per reports, SECL had initially sought green clearance for production expansion upto 50 MTPA in two phases, entailing an investment of Rs 7,612.33 crore MTPA in two phases, entailing an investment of Rs 7,612.33 crore. Commenting on the issue, a senior Environment Ministry official told the media, "Based on the recommendations of the EAC, the ministry has given environment clearance (EC) for expansion of Kusmunda open cast coal mine from 18.75 MTPA to 26 MTPA in mining lease area of 1,449.86 hectare under phase one, subject to certain conditions." “Further, production expansion of the Kusmunda project, located in Korba district, would depend on effective pollution control measures adopted by the company,” he added.