New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal will release the Mine closure report, titled AAROH – Annual Report on Mine Closure, in New Delhi on July 22. The report will document the scientific closure of 42 coal mines and highlight efforts to restore former mining areas through ecological and community-focused initiatives.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy will attend the event as the chief guest. Moreover, Union Ministers Bhupender Yadav and Jitendra Singh will participate as special guests, while Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey will attend as the guest of honour.
According to the ministry, the report marks the first comprehensive account of scientifically closed coal mines since Independence. It highlights ecological restoration, sustainable land use and productive reuse of former mining sites. Therefore, the report showcases how structured mine closure can support long-term regional development.
The programme will also feature an exhibition on mine reclamation and rehabilitation initiatives undertaken by Coal India Limited, NLC India Limited, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, NTPC and private mining companies.
Mine closure report accompanies key agreements
The Ministry of Coal will sign an implementation agreement with Germany’s Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Furthermore, the partnership will promote technical cooperation on scientific mine closure and post-mining land use through knowledge sharing and institutional capacity building.
Coal India Limited will also inaugurate Coal NEER plants to improve access to safe drinking water in coal-bearing regions. In addition, Bharat Coking Coal Limited, the Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority and private industry partners will sign tripartite agreements to establish vocational training centres under the Revised Jharia Master Plan.
The ministry said it has developed frameworks such as RECLAIM, L.I.V.E.S. and SUVIKALP to support scientific mine closure and sustainable land-use planning. Finally, it said these initiatives aim to transform mine closure into an opportunity for ecological restoration, economic diversification and community development.
