'Better safety measures in mining sector needed for ecological balance' - The Hindu

Susheel Kumar, Secretary to Ministry of Coal has stressed the need for better environment management and higher safety measures in the mining sector to ensure ecological balance.

Speaking at a national seminar organised by NLC India Limited on ‘Emerging Energy Scenario in India and Emerging Coal/Lignite Mining scenario and Mining Closure Activities’ through video conferencing from Delhi, he emphasised that the mining sector should ensure higher safety measures and regulate the consumption of fossil fuel to maintain ecological balance.

He hoped that India would able to meet its renewable energy target of 175 GW by 2022.

He appreciated the management of NLCIL for organising the seminar on important and contemporary issues in the energy scenario in India and asked the participants to come up with a solution to absorb carbon emissions.

Rakesh Kumar, Director (Finance) of NLCIL, said NLCIL as part of its corporate plan had initiated steps for converging mining, power and renewable energy sectors to address various issues such as environment friendly mining, project management, regulatory controls, challenges in power generation, grid management, handling competitive atmosphere in power sale and ramping up renewable energy.

Anjani Kumar, Coal Controller, Government of India, said that the improper surface or opencast mining may have harmful effect on the environment and disturb biodiversity.

Restoration mandatory

Acknowledging the adverse environmental impact, the Union Government has mandated the restoration of mining areas post mine closure to create a ‘self-sustaining ecosystem’.

Mr. Kumar also appreciated NLCIL management for taking efforts in maintaining ecological balance and adopting self-sustaining mining methods.

S.K Acharya, Chairman and Managing Director of NLCIL, in a video message said that NLC India Limited had organised the national seminar to create a platform for practitioners, academicians, regulatory agencies from mining and power sector to pay adequate attention and address the challenges in the mining and the power sector to enable India to become a global hub for clean energy.