Lok Sabha Question No. 271 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Methane Emission from Coal Mining
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *271 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## Methane Emission from Coal Mining

## *271. Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) whether any steps are being taken by the Government to address the potential increase in coal mine methane emissions resulting from the proposed expansion in domestic coal mining; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the mitigation technologies being considered for the purpose;

(c) whether the Government plans/proposes to integrate coal mine methane mitigation efforts with its ongoing expansion in renewable energy and if so, the details thereof;

(d)  whether  any  regulatory  reforms  and  incentives  are  being  introduced  to  encourage  the capture and utilisation of methane from coal mines and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has any plans/proposals to promote the utilization of coal mine methane and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *271 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025 ASKED BY DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN, HON'BLE MP REGARDING 'METHANE EMISSION FROM COAL MINING'.

(a) & (b): The methane emissions from coal mines released during the extraction, processing, storage and distribution of coal are estimated under the subcategory 'fugitive emissions from solid fuels (above-ground and below-ground mining)' under the energy sector. Government has prepared a report on 'Carbon Footprint Analysis and Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality' for 2020-21, which inter-alia includes fugitive methane emissions from coal mines. Government has taken the following steps to minimize methane emissions during coal extraction:

- Coal India Ltd. (CIL) and its subsidiaries have been allowed to extract coal bed methane from its coal mining leasehold areas.
- Exploitation of CBM has been permitted under commercial auction of coal mines.
- Atempts were made to extract coal mine methane (CMM) from one of the mines of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. (BCCL) in Jharia Coalfield.
- Allocation of coal-bearing area for extraction of bed methane prior to coal extraction.

(c):    Presently CBM extraction is not integrated with renewable energy projects.

(d):  In  the Coal  Mines  Regulations,  2017,  regulations  are  incorporated  for  extraction  of methane from working coal mine or abandoned coal mine. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas  (MoPNG),  Govt.  of  India  has  issued  partial  modification  of  CBM  Policy,  1997  vide notification dated 8th May 2018, which outline consolidated terms and conditions for the grant of exploration and exploitation rights for Coal Bed Methane (CBM) to Coal India Limited (CIL) and its Subsidiaries from its coal-bearing areas for which they possess mining lease for coal mining.

(e):  Coal  Bed  Methane  produced  from  the  CBM  blocks  of  CIL  will  be  used  for  different industries like fertilizer production etc.

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