42 KEYWORDS Sustainable Mining; Environmental Management; Coal India Limited; ESG; Mine Reclamation; Renewable Energy. 1. INTRODUCTION Coal continues to dominate India’s primary energy mix, accounting for a significant share of electricity generation and industrial energy demand. Despite the global transition toward cleaner energy sources, coal remains indispensable for ensuring energy security, grid stability, and economic growth in emerging economies such as India. According to national energy assessments, coal-based power generation continues to form the backbone of India’s base-load capacity, underscoring the need for responsible and sustainable coal mining practices rather than abrupt phase-out approaches (Ministry of Coal, 2024). Coal India Limited (CIL), as the world’s largest coal-producing company, contributes approx 80% of India’s domestic coal production. The scale and geographical spread of CIL’s operations across multiple coal-bearing states make its environmental footprint nationally significant. Consequently, the environmental performance of CIL has direct implications for air quality, land use, water resources, and community well-being, positioning the company as a critical stakeholder in India’s sustainable development agenda (Ministry of Coal, 2024). Company Wise Production of Raw Coal during last ten years (MT) in India is shown at Figure 1. Coal India Limited (CIL) continues to operate underground (UG) mining as an essential component of its production portfolio, particularly for deep-seated and coking coal reserves. As of FY 2024–25, CIL operates 129 underground mines out of a total of 310 mines, contributing approximately 25.44 million tonnes to total coal production. Although UG mining accounts for a relatively smaller share compared to opencast operations, it remains strategically important due to lower land disturbance, reduced surface displacement, and improved social acceptability. The Annual Report highlights ongoing mechanisation initiatives in underground mines, including the deployment of continuous miners, longwall technology, and high-capacity shearers, aimed at enhancing productivity, safety, and resource recovery. Advanced mine surveillance systems, real-time monitoring, and safety-focused digital interventions are being progressively integrated to mitigate operational risks and improve occupational health and safety performance (Coal India Limited, 2025). Production of Coal from Opencast Coal Mine and Underground Coal Mine during last ten years (MT) in India shown at Figure 2.
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