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South Eastern Coalfields or ECL, a subsidiary of Coal India, will become the first coal PSU in India to introduce paste fill technology in its mining operations. The move comes as part of a Rs 7,040 crore agreement signed with TMC Mineral Resources. The technology will be implemented in the Singhali underground coal mine in SECL’s Korba area.
The project aims to produce approximately 8.4 million tonne of coal over the next 25 years using this method, which is seen as a more sustainable approach to mining. What Is Paste Fill Technology? Paste fill is a modern method used in underground mining where the empty spaces left after coal extraction are filled with a paste.
This paste is made from a mix of fly ash, crushed waste material from open-pit mines, cement, water, and other binding agents. The purpose is to prevent the land above from sinking and to maintain the structural safety of the mine. The technique also allows for the reuse of industrial waste materials, reducing the need to acquire more surface land and minimising environmental damage.
Why Singhali Mine? The Singhali mine, in operation since 1993, has around 8.45 million tonne of extractable reserves. Earlier developed using traditional Bord and Pillar mining, further coal extraction had become difficult due to surface constraints.
The area above the mine includes villages, roads, and power lines, making older mining techniques like caving unsuitable. By switching to paste fill, SECL can continue mining without disturbing the surface infrastructure, according to the government. Larger Implications If successful, this method could be used in other underground mines where surface constraints limit expansion.
SECL officials say the technology may help revive coal production in similar areas. “This is an effort to make underground mining more sustainable,” said SECL CMD Harish Duhan. “Paste fill technology offers a possible way to extract coal safely in densely populated areas.
” This initiative is part of a broader shift toward “green mining” practices that aim to reduce the environmental footprint of coal extraction. While coal remains central to India’s energy needs, the sector has been under pressure to adopt more sustainable methods. W ith this Rs 7,040 crore project, SECL joins a small group of mining companies experimenting with cleaner technologies in an otherwise resource-intensive industry.
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