Question of sustainability resurfaces with companies ramping up coal outputs

Adani Group’s Godda and many other coal projects have led by example – by integrating sustainability, in their mining operations. Similar initiatives can also be undertaken on grander scale amid the increasing coal production.

The ongoing crisis faced by India’s power sector has necessitated coal mining corporations to ramp up their coal production. However, with coal mining comes the inevitable environmental and socio-economic impact. This is where the concern arises.

For a nation whose 70 per cent of power generation is dependent on coal, shunning the use of the fuel may lead to drastic consequences and neither is relying completely on coal a wise idea. However, Adani Group’s Godda and many other coal projects have led by example – by integrating sustainability.

Adani Godda operation bears witness to skill development programmes undertaken by the MDO as part of welfare activities undertaken in its mines and nearby areas. In 2016, Adani Skill Development Centre (ASDC) was set up for the benefit of the locals in areas where the company operates. In Godda alone, there are 17 spots where the initiative operates and has already benefitted 1,600 women. The Group is also heavily invested in eradicating malnutrition and provides support to pregnant and lactating women in these areas to prevent debilitating diseases like malnutrition and anaemia.

Government-owned Coal India has also been sensitive towards the need for environmental protection when it comes to coal mining. According to Coal India chief Pramod Agrawal, the company follows strict environmental protocols that include ecosystem restoration, effective bio-reclamation, sustainable use of water, etc. In fact, during FY21, the coal behemoth has planted as many as 2 million saplings over an area of a whopping 862 hectares.

While India comes second to China in being the biggest consumer of coal, the government has been putting its best foot forward to ensure that the environmental and socio-economic impact is at minimum. The coal ministry has announced that it is in the process of finalising a mine closure framework that is primarily centred on institutional governance, people and communities; and environmental reclamation and land re-purposing.

However, foraying into the sustainable route demands a favourable external condition. Thankfully, despite the ongoing pandemic, digitization has been conveniently facilitating social activities. For instance, the adoption of digital technologies has led Adani Godda mine developer and operator, to continue with its community welfare activities.

With Adani Skill Development Centres running their courses online, Adani Foundation has been witnessing a surge in enrolment of students because unlike earlier, location is not a barrier anymore.

With that said, while coal production is at full swing across most coal mines in India, it is crucial to ensure that sustainability goes hand in hand.

NLC India, for one, aims to increase its coal production to around 20 MTPA from next year on wards. Likewise, over 91 per cent of Coal India mines are being transported to thermal plants across the country. Currently, it supplies as many as 289 rakes of coal per day, with each rake amounting to around 59 wagons of coal.

The figures are undoubtedly promising for the power sector but on environmental and socio-economic scheme of things, they are quite concerning too. The best way? Sustainability. This will lead to a balanced and simultaneous development of the coal sector as well as the socio-economic condition of the people living in and around the mining areas.