South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is set to become India’s first coal PSU to adopt paste fill technology, a modern, sustainable method for underground coal mining. The company has inked a Rs 70.4 billion agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Pvt. Ltd. to implement this technology at the Singhali underground coal mine in Korba, Chhattisgarh. 

The 25-year project aims to produce 8.4 million tonnes of coal using paste fill, which involves filling mined-out voids with a slurry made from fly ash, crushed overburden, cement, and water. This technique not only prevents land subsidence but also enables waste recycling, making the operation environmentally friendly. 

The Singhali mine, with 8.45 million tonnes of G-7 grade coal reserves, was previously limited by surface infrastructure including villages and public utilities, making traditional mining methods unsafe. Paste fill allows mining to continue without disturbing the surface, marking a new era for mines with similar constraints. 

SECL CMD Harish Duhan hailed the initiative as a “landmark step toward green mining,” highlighting its potential to reshape India's coal industry with eco-friendly, innovative solutions. 

(PIB)