Adani's Innovative Coal Mine Project Ushers in a New Era for Maharashtra

The Adani Group has recently secured environmental clearance (EC) from the Ministry of Forest Environment and Climate Change (MOEFCC) for its underground coal mine project situated at Gondkhairi in Kalmeshwar taluka, approximately 20 km away from Nagpur, Maharashtra. Marking a significant milestone, this marks the Adani Group's inaugural venture into the Maharashtra mining sector.

The acquisition of the EC now enables the company to proceed with the application for operational consent from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Primarily, the coal extracted from this mine will serve as a vital resource for Adani Power's Tiroda plant located in Gondia district, while the surplus will be available for commercial distribution. The project necessitates an investment exceeding Rs 1,300 crore and is anticipated to generate around 2,000 employment opportunities.

Operated under the umbrella of Adani Power Maharashtra, the EC stipulates certain conditions, including the establishment of an on-site laboratory for continual monitoring of environmental factors such as air and water quality. Additionally, the company is required to install solar lighting along the transportation route for mined coal and implement a comprehensive village-wise water distribution system. Furthermore, there are plans to explore the potential extraction of methane from gases emitted during mining operations.

Spanning across an expansive area of 862 hectares, the mine boasts a production capacity of two million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Geological assessments estimate total reserves at approximately 98.717 million tonnes, with an extractable portion of around 43 million tonnes. Apart from Maharashtra, the Adani Group also holds mining interests in states like Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.

News by Rahul Yelligetti