In a bid to bring uniformity and standardise mining plans drawn up by coal and lignite block holders, the coal ministry has issued strict guidelines. The exercise aims to expedite development of blocks.
The ministry’s move is crucial when it has already deallocated some captive blocks, which were given to state-run utilities and private producers since 1990, for lack of progress in the development of the mines to begin production.
According to a coal ministry data, over 140 captive blocks have been allocated for the last two decades. The ministry had set a target of 104 million tonnes of coal per annum from the captive blocks by the end of the 11th Plan. Thereafter, the ministry repeatedly expressed concern over the pace of development and at times sought state government help to resolve specific issues.
Sources told Business Standard that coal and lignite block holders would have to mention in their plans whether any variations are sought to the approvals, how much of the requirement is envisaged to be met from the mining projects, whether supply would replace any existing linkages, how the balance requirement of coal, if any, is to be met, mode of despatch, whether coal washing is being proposed at the pithead or elsewhere, etc.
Block holders would also need to reveal the geological reserves considered for mining vis-à-vis extractable reserves. In case of opencast mining, they have to mention cut-off ratio as well as average stripping ratio. In case of an existing or old mine, the data on reserves already extracted and reserves sterilised would have to be given seam-wise, along with relevant plans.
Further, sources said, in view of the delays in developing mines due to land acquisition problems and necessary clearances, the ministry expects the block holders to mention the present ownership and occupancy of the area, including forest land. Block holders would have to give details of the total land requirement and its breakup as per present and proposed land use. Similarly, they would have to give details of the land outside the block boundary, if required for mining lease or for mining purposes.
The coal ministry also wants the block holders to provide details on the impact of mining, the time bound action, position at the end of each five years of mining plan period, year-wise proposal for reclamation of land affected, annual programme of afforestation, stabilization and vegetation of dumps.
