India’s Ministry of Coal (MoC) has recently earmarked 19 coal mines for 13 Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) to effectively manage and utilize fly ash, a by-product of coal combustion. This initiative is a strategic step towards environmental sustainability, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of coal-fired power generation.
The Electricity Authority (CEA) oversees the allocation process, where applications are submitted by power plants interested in using mine tailings for fly ash disposal. These requests will be discussed in 2023 at the meetings of the Central Level Working Group (CLWG) chaired by the Additional Secretary of the MoU. The systematic allocation of mine voids is designed to meet environmental considerations and promote sustainable practices in the coal mining industry. One of the significant achievements of this initiative is the successful recovery of approximately 20.39 lakh tonnes of fly ash at Gorbicoal Mine 1. This demonstrates the practical benefits of using mine voids for fly ash removal and highlights the positive impact of the initiative reducing it.
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nvironmental pollution resulting from fly ash. To increase transparency and efficiency, MoC and Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) are jointly developing a centralized portal to manage the allocation process. The purpose of this portal is to streamline implementation and improve coordination between TPP institutions and regulatory agencies related to fly ash management. In addition, the MoC in collaboration with the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) is undertaking extensive feasibility studies to optimize the mixing of fly ash in surface loading mines such as Nigah. These studies are critical to determining the most effective fly ash utilization methods that ensure safe handling and reduce environmental risks such as heavy metal leaching and air pollution from fine particulate matter. By promoting these sustainable mining practices and fostering partnerships between TPPs and regulators, MoC is committed to achieving cleaner energy generation and sustainable resource management in the Indian coal mining sector..