8.1 Conservation of coal enjoins maximum recovery of in-situ reserves of coal. Coal deposits in India occur mostly in thick seams and at shallow depths. These aspects are taken into account during mine planning and operation in ensuring maximum recovery.

8.2 Mechanised opencast mining in India is one of the very important technology of coal production of thick seam from shallow depth.. The percentage recovery by this method is up to 80% to 90% of the in-situ coal reserves. The coal production from opencast method in Indian mining is more than 75% of total production. This trend is likely to continue in near future. The thick seam deposits earlier developed in Bord and Pillar method or other methods of underground mining which had been standing on pillars for long in absence of a suitable technology of extraction have now become extractable by opencast mining with HEMM equipment of suitable type. This method has been tried with success in some of the mines of WCL,BCCL, CCL and ECL mines where underground mining was carried out in the past under the relatively shallow cover.

8.3 In case of SCCL, the scope for planning for opencast mines is limited, longwall methods are being applied in the case of underground mines to achieve higher underground production with higher percentage of recovery.

The longwall method of mining is also being implemented in SECL, ECL and BCCL in Coal India.. The overall recovery in longwall technology is comparatively more than the recovery in B&P mining .

Mines having difficult geo-mining conditions like steep and irregular coal seam deposits, gassy seams, contiguous and multi-section seams, necessitate the introduction of some specific technology for exploitation of such deposits.

For extraction of multi-section seams of thickness more than 4.8 mtrs. methods such as Blasting gallery, Sub-level Caving, and Cable bolting have been adopted in some of the mines. In Margherita area of NEC special methods of mining such as, Bhaska method, Tipong method, Shield method, and Flexible roofing have been tried . Presently Tipong method and Scraper assisted chamber method are in use.

SAND STOWING

8.4 Sand stowing in underground mines is yet another effective means of coal conservation, which is widely in use for extraction of coal pillars from underground coal seams and coal seams lying underneath built up area, such as surface structures, railway lines, roads, rivers, nallahs, Jores, etc. Sand stowing is also used for protection against fire in coal seams.

Under Research & Development activities for increased extraction of coal, the following projects have been taken up :

(i) Optimal extraction of coal in locked up pillars underneath aquifers and fragile ecology - CMRI/SECL

(ii) Development of an efficient method of extraction of developed pillars for seam thickness up to 3.5m - SECL

(iii) Optimal extraction of coal locked in pillars of multiple and thick seams - NIRM/SCCL

(iv) Optimisation of pillar parameters for development and final extraction of highly inclined seams at SCCL mines - SCCL/ NIRM.

(v) Depillaring with cable bolting using LHD at Madhusudanpur Colliery - ECL

CONTROL OF MINE FIRES & SUBSIDENCE

In the Jharia coalfield, at the time of nationalisation of coking coalmines in 1972, there were reportedly, 70 active fires over an area of 17 sq.kms. A number of schemes for control of fires envisaging an outlay of Rs. 114.57 crores, are under various stages of implementation. So far the following results have been obtained.

Under IDA credit to the Govt. of India, BCCL received a loan of US $ 12.00 million for developing a long-term plan for carrying out investigation and preparation of recommendation of measures for extinguishing controlling fires and preparation of Environmental management Plan (EMP) for Jharia Coalfield. M/s GAI-METCHEM, a joint venture of USA/ Canada was appointed for preparing the ‘FIRE FIGHTING PROGRAMME’ and M/S NORWEST MINE SERVICES of Canada for preparation of the EMP, The major observations/findings are given below.

A. FIRE FIGHTING PROGRAMME

1. Overall fire shave reduced in area from about 17 sq. km (186) to 9.0 sq.km. (196)

2. Dhanbad-Patherdih Railway Line(28.km) is endangered by fires and requires grout stabilisation relocation preferred.

3. Adra-Gomoh Railway Line requires protection by isolation trench and water curtain.

4. Ekra, Kari and Catkari jores are endangered by fires and require immediate grout stabilisation.

5. Jharia and Kirkend towns and other built up areas are endangered due to fires and require immediate isolation from fires. Shifting of townships have been recommended as a better option.

6. Some fires may be excavated as part of profitable opencast mining projects such as Block-III, Kusunda Block-IV and Tisra.

B. PREPARATION OF EMP FOR JHARIA COALFIELD.

1. 22,300 families are required to be shifted.

2. Predominant air pollution is from road generated dust and vehicle exhaust.

3. Contribution of dust by traffic is about 37% of total pollution load in JCF.

4. The coalfield contributes about 15% of the total pollution load in the Damodar River.

5. Construction Of small reservoirs to the North of the coalfields across the streams is recommended.

6. Continue the existing plantation programme and encourage social forestry.

SUBSIDENCE PROBLEM IN RANIGUNJ

In the past, prior to nationalisation of coalmines, unscientific mining was carried out under shallow cover, which has resulted in some areas in Ranijunj Coalfield being threatened with subsidence. Illegal mining is aggravating this problem.

An apex monitoring committee (AMC) had been constituted with Shri H.B. Ghosh, Ex-DGMS & Retired CMD, CMPDIL as Chairman and representatives of Govt. of West Bengal, DGMS, CMPDIL, ECL, CMRI local representatives etc. to go into the problem of subsidence in the Ranigunj Coalfield AMC has examined 49 unstable localities initially, in June’92 of which 11 were found to have no apparent danger 21 more localities were examined by AMC later in Sept’95 of which one has no apparent danger.

In addition to the areas examined by the APEX MONITORING COMMITTEE, ECL and CMPDIL have identified 2 more unstable areas. Thus identified unstable areas total to 72. Out of this the population of one site has been rehabilitated. Out of the remaining 71 areas, 47 are to be rehabilitated and 24 being densely populated have to be stabilised.

However, out of these 71 areas, 12 have no apparent danger. Recently DGMS has indicated 171 unstable localities, which are being examined in detail by Technical Sub-committee of AMC. The absence of any proven technology for stabilisation of old inaccessible waterlogged working indigenous technology of hydro-pneumatic stowing has been adopted for stabilisation of 5 sites viz. FATEPUR, BORACHAK, HARIPUR, ARUN TALKIES and KUMAR BAZAR.

HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE

A High Level Committee was constituted with Secretary Coal as Chairman to go into the problem of subsidence & fire in Ranigunj and Jharia Coalfield and suggest mitigative measures. The Committee submitted its report in January’98. The recommendations of the Committee were accepted by the Govt. of India and are summarised below

(i) Shifting of settlements over unstable areas to non-coal-bearing zones

(ii) There should be a total ban on any new construction over declared unsafe areas. Govt. of Bihar should also enact a suitable legislation in line with the one already existing in West Bengal preventing construction over unsafe areas.

(iii) Participation and assistance from State Govt. and local administration is essential. Any enforcing agency entrusted with responsibilities of carrying out mitigating measures against fire and subsidence in RCF and FCF should be adequately represented by the above authorities.

(iv) The mitigating measures against subsidence and fire hazards are very costly options and fruitful implementation can only be possible through separate executing agency with separate funding. Formation and representatives of such agencies responsible for formulating schemes, their implementation and management of funds should be finalised at the earliest. A broad outline of executing agencies has been evolved in consultation with the concerned State Govt. and the Govt. companies.

(v) Hydro-pneumatic stowing technology currently begin used in some locations in RCF has been found to be a very slow process. High-pressure slurry pumping technology should be tried at some locations in BCCL for stabilising inaccessible unstable underground workings.

(vi) Intensive Stabilisation work of unstable areas under locations where population cannot be shifted like Ranigunj town, should be carried out and persons affected in the high rest but low-density areas may be relocated in a phased manner.

(vii) For arranging fund for the purpose of stabilisation and relocation of population the money could be made available either through planned expenditure approved by the planning Commission or unplanned expenditure from CCDA fund after making suitable enactment.

(viii) Considering the urgency one scheme each by ECL and BCCL for shifting of population from unsafe areas may be taken up without waiting for institutional arrangement for funds from planned funds available with Ministry of Coal.

(ix) The Interim Reports submitted by BCCL and ECL jointly with State authorities indicating the likely affected population and financial implications should be kept in mind while drawing up priority-wise schemes from immediate and effective solutions.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE

1. BCCL has put a total ban on construction of new quarter of on unsafe areas. BCCL is not constructing any houses over coal bearing areas.

2. Mining Area Development Authority (MADA) has also issued notification banning any new construction over critically endangered areas in BCCL.

3. Enactment of suitable legislation banning construction over unsafe areas is still awaited from Govt. of Bihar.

4. The District Administration has appealed through local newspaper giving details of the endangered areas of or immediate evacuation, particularly from areas under illegal occupation.

5. Govt. of Bihar has been requested to constitute a Sub-authority for rehabilitation of non-BCCL people from endangered areas. This has not been done so far.

6. BCCL has, as a one-time measure of goodwill, identified a rehabilitation city to be handed over to the State Govt. for construction of 3100 houses for non-BCCL people.

7. One R&D project has been started to establish the technology of high pressure stowing at Madhuban Colliery, meanwhile, filling of inaccessible voids is being done presently by hydraulic sand stowing through surface bore-holes in many locations in BCCL.

EMSC SCHEMES

The schemes under implementation are as under;

Subsidence Control

Fire Control

The following fire control schemes are under implementation:

1. Scheme for dealing with fire at Lodna Colliery.

2. Scheme for dealing with fire at Rajapur Colliery.

3. Scheme for dealing with fire at Industry Colliery.

4. Scheme for dealing with fire at Alkusa Colliery Colliery.

Rehabilitaiton

A scheme for rehabilitation of people from most endangered areas of BCCL has been approved in May’98 at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 33.88 Crores (under revision) for construction of 1500 BCCL houses and 3100 non-BCCL houses. Around 350 house are in different stages of construction.

COAL UTILISATION

8.14 The following major jobs on coal utilisation have been undertaken :

1. A report on investigation on explosion in ESP of Boiler No.2 of NLC has been prepared and submitted to Neyveli Lignite Corporation.

2. Project Reports on 100 tpd SSF plants for seven proposed units under private sector have been prepared and submitted to the parties.

3. Design package for SSF plant has been modified and prepared for release of know- how.

4. Licence Agreement between three SSF units & CMPDI has been signed and technical know-how released to them.

5. Joint Inspection of softcoke/ hardcoke manufacturing units (54 in number), linked with subsidiary companies of CIL, have been carried out with CIL & linked companies.

6. Pre-commissioning, guarantee test-run and capacity assessment of Muraidih SSF plant of BCCL have been undertaken with BCCL.

7. Joint Inspection of 3 SSF plants under private sector has been carried out with linked company CCL.

8. Commissioning of two 100 tpd SSF plants under private sector has been completed successfully.

S&T Project

8.15 The R&D activities in coal sector are administered through an Apex body namely, Standing Scientific Research Committee (SSRC) with Secretary (Coal) as its Chairman. The Other members of this apex body include Chairman of CIL, CMDs of CMPDIL, SCCL and NLC, Directors of concerned CSIR Laboratories, representatives of Department of S&T, Planning Commission and educational institutions, amongst others. The main functions of SSRC are to plan, programme, budget and oversee the implementation of research projects and seek application of the findings of the R&D work done. For in house R&D work of CIL, R&D Board headed by Chairman, CIL is also functioning.

The SSRC is being assisted by four Standing Sub-Committees, each dealing with one of the four relevant major areas of research:-

- Coal Beneficiation

- Coal Utilisation

CMPDI acts as Nodal Agency for co-ordination of research activities in coal sector, which involves identification of thrust areas for research activities, identification of agencies, which can take up the research work in the identified fields, processing the proposals for Government approval, monitoring the progress of implementation of the projects, preparation of budget estimates, disbursement of funds etc.

8.16 The list of completed S&T Projects as on 30.12.99 is given below:

8.17 Status of Coal S&T Projects as on 31.12.99 is given below:

i) Projects on-going - 36

(as on 1.4.99)

ii) Projects approved during - 19

1999-2000

iii) Projects completed - 12

during 1999-2000

iv) Projects dropped - 02

during 1999-2000

v) Projects on-going - 41

( as on 31.12.99)

8.18 Project funded by CIL R&D Board:

i) The Standing Parliamentary Committee on Energy and modernisation and Growth for the Coal Industry pointed out the need for a full-fledged R&D Board in CIL for modernisation and growth of the coal industry.

ii) As an outcome of the above, the R&D Board was constituted by CIL in August, 1995.

iii) The Chairman, CIL is the Chairman of the R&D Board and all CMDs of the Subsidiary Companies and the Director(Tech.) of Subsidiary Companies are also its members by rotation for a period of one year. CGM (CP), CIL is the Member Secretary of the Board.

iv) An Empowered Sub-Committee has been constituted to assist R&D Board to plan, programme, budget, monitor and seek application of research findings.

8.19 Status as on 31.12.99 of R&D Projects, sanctioned by R&D Board of CIL, is given below:

i) Projects on-going (as on 1.4.99) - 08

ii) Projects approved during 1999-00 - 05

iii) Projects completed during 1999-00 - Nil

iv) On-going projects as on 31.12.99 - 12

v) Projects dropped during 1999-2000 - 01

8.20 The list of 12 on-going R&D projects is given below:

8.21 Schemes under the head "Environmental Measures & Subsidence Control"

(i) The thrust areas of Environmental Measures & Subsidence Control are restoration and control of degraded land due to mining and control of subsidence, particularly in Jharia and Raniganj coalfields. A third sub-head titled "Social Mitigation" has been added and 2 schemes under this sub-head have been sanctioned.

(ii) A provision of Rs.79 Crores has been kept for IX Plan outlay for EMSC Schemes. Schemes have been sanctioned under different Sub-heads as detailed in Table-A and are being implemented

(iii) Completed Schemes :

(a) Out of the 26 schemes, 4 schemes concerning identification of Subsidence Prone areas and remedial measures for their safeguards have been completed during 98-99.