Scientific mine closure is a national priority, and the government has allocated approximately ₹40,000 crore for scientifically closing completely-extracted coal mines, stated G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines Wednesday. 

Speaking at the signing of the implementation agreement with Germany’s GIZ for cooperation in the realm of mine closure, he stated, “For mine closure, we have dedicated funds worth $5 billion, or approximately ₹40,000 crore from the ministry.”   

The Coal Ministry has scientifically closed 42 mines, including 33 in the last financial year itself.  

It has set itself a target of scientifically closing another 147 mines in the next two to three years.  

Mr. Reddy emphasised it to be a “national and [his] ministry’s priority”.  

“Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we have changed the very philosophy of mine closure and made it a national priority,” he stated, adding, “We no longer see it as end of mining rather the beginning of new opportunities.” 

Pointing to “just transition” from instances outside India, the Union Minister stated India would also be looking to build an indigenous model.  

“We are building an Indian model of mine closure that combines environmental protection with economic opportunity, technology with community participation and global best practices with India’s innovation,” he stated.