South Eastern Coalfields Limited, or SECL, is set to become the first coal PSU in India to adopt paste fill technology for coal mining.
The PSU and TMC Mineral Resources Private Limited have inked a 7040 crore deal to implement the underground mining technology.
As part of the agreement, the Singhali underground coal mine in SECL’s Korba region will utilize paste fill technology for large-scale coal production. The project is pegged to generate about 8.4 million tons (84.5 lakh tons) of coal over 25 years.
The initiative marks a major step toward sustainable and environmentally friendly mining practices.
What is paste fill technology?
Paste filling is a modern underground mining method that eliminates the need to acquire surface land.
After coal extraction, the mined-out voids are filled with a specially prepared paste made from fly ash, crushed overburden from opencast mines, cement, water, and binding chemicals. This process prevents land subsidence and ensures the structural stability of the mine.
Paste fill allows mining operations to proceed safely and efficiently with higher-strength backfill properties than hydraulic fill while minimizing the need for water handling.
Importantly, the paste utilizes industrial waste materials, making the process environmentally sustainable and promoting waste recycling.
Backdrop:
The Singhali underground mine was approved in 1989 for a production capacity of 0.24 million tons per year and commenced operations in 1993. Presently, the mine has 8.45 million tons of extractable reserves of G-7 grade non-coking coal. It was developed using the Bord and Pillar method, employing Load Haul Dumpers (LHDs) and Universal Drilling Machines (UDMs) for underground operations.
However, the surface area above the mine is densely occupied—with villages, high-tension electricity lines, and a public works department (PWD) road—rendering traditional caving methods unfeasible due to safety and environmental concerns.
Paste fill technology in Singhali allows mining operations without disrupting surface infrastructure, paving the way for resuming operations in other underground mines with similar land constraints.
Harish Duhan, CMD, SECL, said, “I firmly believe that paste fill technology will not only secure the future of underground mining but also offer an innovative, eco-friendly solution. This project is a landmark step toward green mining and will shape the future of the coal industry in the years to come.”
