South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has become the first coal public sector undertaking (PSU) in India to adopt paste fill technology for coal mining, marking a significant move towards sustainable mining practices.
To implement this cutting-edge underground mining method, SECL has entered into a ₹7040 crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Private Limited. The agreement will enable large-scale coal production using paste fill technology at the Singhali underground coal mine in SECL’s Korba area. Over the next 25 years, the project is expected to produce approximately 8.4 million tons (84.5 lakh tonnes) of coal.
Paste fill technology is a modern approach to underground mining that eliminates the need for surface land. After coal is extracted, the voids left behind are filled with a specially designed paste made from fly ash, crushed overburden from opencast mines, cement, water, and binding chemicals. This method prevents land subsidence and maintains the mine’s structural integrity.
An important advantage of paste fill technology is that it uses industrial waste materials, making the mining process more environmentally friendly and promoting waste recycling.
The Singhali mine, approved in 1989, initially had a production capacity of 0.24 million tons per year and started operations in 1993. The mine currently has 8.45 million tons of extractable reserves of G-7 grade non-coking coal. It was developed using the Bord and Pillar method and relies on Load Haul Dumpers (LHDs) and Universal Drilling Machines (UDMs) for underground operations.
However, the surface area above the mine is densely populated with villages, high-tension electricity lines, and a Public Works Department (PWD) road, making traditional mining methods unsafe and impractical. The introduction of paste fill technology will allow mining activities to continue without disturbing the surface infrastructure.
The successful use of paste fill technology in the Singhali mine is expected to open the door for similar operations in other underground mines with land constraints. With a total investment of ₹7040 crore, this project is a major step toward promoting green mining practices in India, enhancing coal production while minimizing environmental impact.
SECL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Shri Harish Duhan, expressed his confidence in the project, saying, “I firmly believe that paste fill technology will secure the future of underground mining and provide an innovative, eco-friendly solution. This project is a landmark in green mining and will shape the future of India’s coal industry.”