All abandoned mines to be shut by 2028, says Kishan

Hyderabad: Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday announced that the Centre has begun a time-bound programme for scientific mine closure, including shutting down long-abandoned and exhausted mines. About 147 mines have remained abandoned since Independence, and the govt has initiated structured closure work with the aim of completing closures by 2028, he said.Addressing a press conference as he marked the completion of two-and-a-half years of being in-charge of the ministry, he said, “Committees involving village panchayats, local elected representatives, district collectors and NGOs have been formed to oversee closure plans and post-mining land use”.He said the coal sector, which provides direct employment to about 5 lakh people and indirect employment to 25 lakh, has undergone “revolutionary reforms” over the past 12 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with transparent systems put in place after Supreme Court directions on coal block allocation.Reddy said India has achieved around one billion tonnes of coal production in the last year and this year, and that coal stocks across companies, transit and power plants stand at about 189 million tonnes, which he said is sufficient for about 85 days. He added that coal remains central to power generation and to industries such as steel, cement, fertiliser and chemicals.He said reduced coal imports delivered foreign exchange savings of about ₹60,000 crore last year, and that the govt intends to cut imports further. He also highlighted first-mile connectivity projects and rail line expansion in coal-bearing regions to reduce truck movement, costs and pollution.On private participation, Reddy said coal blocks are now allocated through auctions with mandatory exploration, statutory clearances and gram sabha processes, while the Centre supports early operationalisation.He announced a push for coal gasification, backed by incentives of ₹4,600 crore, and said roadshows are being held to attract investment.On mining, he cited the National Critical Mineral Mission with an outlay of ₹3,200 crore, efforts through KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd) to secure overseas assets, duty waivers on 24 critical minerals, and stronger use of District Mineral Foundation funds for mining-affected areas.