The Coal Ministry met with stakeholders to discuss stricter regulations for sustainable coal mining, incorporating environmental preservation measures.

Mining plans should incorporate restoration, remediation, and regeneration measures to ensure sustainable management of natural resources.

The actions aim to mitigate environmental impacts, address community concerns, and promote continuous improvements in water quality monitoring.

According to M. Nagaraju, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, the new guidelines prioritize ecosystem preservation while emphasizing responsible mining practices that support industry growth.

He stressed the importance of balancing increased accountability for coal mine owners. The updated Mining Plan Guidelines aim to enforce stricter regulations to maximize coal extraction while ensuring equal benefits for all stakeholders.

By bringing everyone’s interests into line, the ministry hopes to advance sustainable development in the industry.

The stakeholder consultation gave industry leaders and experts a forum for in-depth talks and feedback, paving the way for a comprehensive regulatory framework that tackles current issues and conforms to international best practices in mining governance.

Twenty-five coal and lignite mining companies, including PSUs and captive/commercial miners, participated in the event, as did representatives from the state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh.