Coal Minister inaugurates National Workshop on Mine Closure and Repurposing

New Delhi: Shri G. Kishan Reddy, the Union Minister of Coal & Mines, inaugurated a national workshop-cum-conference on 23 Feb on the theme “Moving Beyond Extraction: Mine Closure and Repurposing”, hosted by NLC India Limited at Neyveli, Tamil Nadu.

In his address, the Hon’ble Minister emphasized that the mining sector is a dynamic and vital pillar of the Indian economy and will play a crucial role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Highlighting the importance of scientific and responsible mine closure, Shri Reddy stated that mine closure planning must begin even before the commencement of mining operations. He urged nodal officers across the mining sector to set exemplary standards in mine closure practices, creating a lasting legacy of service and responsibility.

He further stated that since lakhs of people depend on the mining sector for their livelihoods, mine closure should not signify an end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter for society and nature. He also appealed to senior officers to voluntarily engage in mine closure initiatives and take responsibility for at least one mine to ensure its best possible closure and repurposing.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Coal, stated that this first national workshop on the theme would serve as a defining step towards building a responsible and future-ready mining ecosystem in India. He called upon all stakeholders to work in unison towards their larger responsibility to communities in and around mining areas and to Mother Earth.

CIL Chairman, Shri B. Sairam, highlighted the three key pillars of mine repurposing and just transition - economic and industrial restructuring, workforce reskilling, and revenue substitution - stressing that sustainable employment is central to successful mine closure.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, from subsidiary companies and NLC India attended the inaugural session of the two-day workshop.