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Source: The post is based on the article “Year End Review 2022: Ministry of Coal” published in PIB on 30th December 2022
What is the News?
The Ministry of Coal has launched several initiatives and schemes in 2022.
What are the schemes and initiatives launched by the Ministry of Coal in 2022?
Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India (SHAKTI) Policy
Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2022
The government launched ‘Mission Coking Coal‘ in August 2021 to suggest a roadmap to augment the production and utilization of domestic coking coal in India by 2030.
Coking coal is a high-quality coal that is low in impurities and has a high carbon content, which makes it ideal for use in the metallurgical process.
Coking coal is used to produce coke, which is a porous, solid carbon material that is used as a fuel and a reducing agent in the production of iron and steel.
Commercial Coal Mining: To reduce the import of coal and to promote domestic production, the auction-based regime introduced in 2014 allowed private sector participation. However, it was limited to captive usage in its own end-use plants.
– The sector has now been opened up for commercial coal mining by private players in 2020 and the first ever successful auction of commercial mining was launched by the Prime Minister in 2020.
Greening Initiatives: Bio-reclamation of mined-out areas and plantation in free areas in and around coal mines, Development of Eco-Parks on Reclaimed Land & Mine Tourism, Utilization of Mine water for Community Use.
Coal Gasification Projects: With comfortable coal availability in the country, the Government of India has decided to promote the gasification of coal in a big way. Coal gasification can yield multiple energy, chemical and petrochemical products, most of which are presently being imported.
Technology Roadmap for the coal sector: Ministry of Coal has prepared a Technology Roadmap for the coal sector in 2022. The objective is to implement new technologies and build digital infrastructure to support current and future ramp-up for the mines.
