New Delhi, 29 July (H.S.): South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of public sector undertaking Coal India Limited, has scientifically closed 28 abandoned coal mines over the past two financial years to address issues related to land degradation, safety risks, and unused infrastructure.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the company said that a total of 54 abandoned coal mines were identified for scientific closure. SECL has successfully completed the scientific closure of 28 such mines during the last two financial years. The initiative has been undertaken to tackle challenges including land degradation, safety concerns, and the presence of unused mining infrastructure.

South Eastern Coalfields Limited said that out of these mines, three were scientifically closed during the financial year 2024-25, while 25 mines were closed during 2025-26. The company aims to close 11 more mines during the current financial year 2026-27, while the remaining 15 mines will be gradually closed in the financial year 2027-28.

SECL Chairman and Managing Director Harish Duhan said, “The closure of a mine is not the end of mining activity but a new beginning.” He stated that the company’s objective is to restore land, protect the environment, and transform redeveloped mine areas into productive resources for clean energy generation, livelihood creation, and the benefit of local communities.

Harish Duhan said that the company is currently working on projects to repurpose eight abandoned mines, which is the highest among all Coal India subsidiaries. The construction of the Kenpara Eco Park in Bishrampur has already been completed on redeveloped mine land. Besides, a five-megawatt solar power project along with an eco-park is being developed at the Vivek Nagar underground mine.

It is noteworthy that SECL has already commissioned 20-megawatt solar power plants at Bhatgaon and Bishrampur, while a 40-megawatt solar project is under construction at the Pinoora underground mine.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar