1345 Table 29 – Key Sustainability Performance Indicators of CIL Environmental Indicator FY 2024–25 Performance Key Remarks / Scope Afforestation ~1,600 hectares Plantation undertaken on reclaimed mine land, overburden dumps, and non-forest lease areas using native and mixed species in compliance with EC and FC conditions. Land Reclaimed ~2,100 hectares Progressive reclamation through concurrent backfilling, slope stabilization, soil spreading, and bio-reclamation in line with MoEF&CC Mine Closure Guidelines. Mine Water Utilisation >2,600 lakh kilolitres Treated mine water reused for industrial, domestic, and irrigation purposes; benefited ~11 million people across ~850 villages, supporting water conservation and regional water security. Renewable Energy Capacity (Planned) ~3 GW (by 2027– 28) Solar-led capacity expansion using reclaimed mine land, mine voids, and rooftops; supports long-term decarbonisation and India’s net-zero 2070 target. 4. POLLUTION CONTROL AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY Dust mitigation is a critical element of environmental management in large-scale opencast mining, as mining operations generate significant levels of respirable particulate matter, particularly PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅, which pose risks to occupational health, nearby communities, and ambient air quality. Fixed and mobile water sprinkling systems are extensively deployed along haul roads, coal handling plants, and active working faces to suppress dust at the source by increasing surface moisture and preventing particle entrainment, especially during drilling, loading, and transportation activities where fugitive emissions are most pronounced (CPCB, 2023; MoEF&CC, 2022). The adoption of surface miners further enhances dust control by minimizing or eliminating drilling and blasting operations. Surface miners extract coal through continuous mechanical cutting, resulting in significantly lower dust and vibration levels compared to conventional methods, while also improving resource recovery and operational efficiency (Ghose, 2004; Singh & Dhar, 2019). In addition, in-pit crushing and conveying (IPCC) systems reduce dust generation by replacing long-distance truck haulage with conveyor-based transport. Enclosed conveyors and integrated dust suppression systems further limit particulate release, contributing to improved air quality in mining regions (Dhar et al., 2018; ICMM, 2024). Figure 88 depicted water sprinkling systems at surface miner, CHP and Air pollution control measures at Nigahi OCP, NCL. Figure 88 – Surface Miner with water jets, Gevra OCP, SECL & Air pollution control measures at Nigahi OCP, NCL (Ministry of Coal, 2024: Sustainability in Coal Mines)
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