Lok Sabha Question No. 134 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Revival of Closed  Mines in Jharkhand
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *134 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## Revival of Closed Mines in Jharkhand

## †*134. Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Rajhara Coal Mines located in Palamu district of Jharkhand are lying closed for many years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the said colliery has been permitted many years ago by the Director General of Mines Safety  (DGMS)  to  resume  its  mining  activities  except  during  rainy  season  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) whether the mining activities at the said colliery is yet to be resumed as 20 displaced persons have not been provided employment so far;
- (d) if so, the time by which the Central Coal Field Limited (CCL) is likely to resume the mining activities in the said colliery by providing employment to the said displaced persons;
- (e) the number of coal mines across the country lying closed due to one or the other reason despite having enormous coal reserves; and

(f) the time by which the Government proposes to resume the operations of the said coal mines so as to reduce coal imports and save forex reserves?

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

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

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 134 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024 ASKED BY SHRI VISHNU DAYAL  RAM,  HON'BLE  MP  REGARDING  'REVIVAL  OF  CLOSED  MINES  IN JHARKHAND'.

(a) & (b): Considering the imminent danger of inundation, a Prohibition Order under Section 22(3) of Mines  Act,  1952  for  prohibiting  the  employment  of  people  was  imposed  on  10.11.2010  by  the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) to the Rajhara Coal Mines located in Palamu district of Jharkhand. Accordingly, this coal mine was closed. On submission of partial compliance by the mine management, the said Prohibitory Order was later partially vacated on 08.04.2015 to carry out work except rainy season i.e. from 15th June to 31st October and other periods of heavy rains.

(c) & (d): Mining activities at Rajhara Colliery resumed on 17.12.2020 with removal of overburden. Provisioning of employment to 20 land owners have been agreed 'in principle' by CCL. Land owners have  been  asked  to  submit  applications  for  employment  along  with  all  required  documents  duly authenticated/verified by State Authorities.

(e) & (f): CIL has 305 closed/abandoned /discontinued mines, out of which, 174 mines have been identified for operationalization after obtaining necessary approvals, permissions and clearances, 109 mines have been identified for final closure, 6 mines have been identified for UG coal gasification projects and 16 mines have been identified for preparation of temporarily mine closure plan.

Further, SCCL has informed that no mine in SCCL is lying closed or left with enormous coal reserves and most of the underground mines closed in SCCL are converted into opencast to enhance production.

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