Advancing reforms for cleaner and sustainable use of Indian coal

¹ Director (Technical/P & P), Western Coalfields Limited, Nagpur, India
² Manager, Coal India Limited, Ministry of Coal, New Delhi, India

Abstract

Coal plays a crucial role in India's energy security, meeting ~55% of the country's energy demand. With one of the largest coal reserves globally (~386 billion tonnes), India's coal is essential for key industries such as power, steel, cement, and fertilizers. However, the quality of domestic coal, especially coking coal, is generally lower than that of international sources, with higher ash content and lower coking properties. Domestic coal production and consumption have doubled over the past decade, reducing the proportion of coal imports by ~20%. Despite this, imports, especially coking coal for the steel sector, remain significant. To reduce dependence on imports, the government aims for 1.5 billion tonnes of domestic coal production by financial year 2030 (FY30), including 140 million tonnes of coking coal. Technological advancements like reflux classifiers and froth flotation cells are essential for improving the quality of domestic coal and enhancing its efficiency. Cleaner coal technologies are crucial for reducing emissions and ensuring sustainable coal use. Proactive government measures have boosted domestic coal supply, but further innovations and policy measures are needed to encourage the adoption of advanced coal beneficiation techniques. This will improve coal quality, reduce imports, and contribute to sustainable economic growth