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United News of India

Singareni uses environmentally safe mining technologies: CMD Balram

Hyderabad, July 4 (UNI) State-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) Chairman and Managing Director N Balram on Friday claimed that Singareni uses environmentally safe mining technologies such as surface miners, in-pits crushers, draglines, continuous miners, and longwall mining. As per regulations, the mining company is also extensively involved in afforestation, having already planted 77.6 million saplings, said Balram who presented a detailed PowerPoint presentation on behalf of SCCL explaining the company's practices at the international conference on " Sustainable and Responsible Mining through Best Mine Closure Practices,' organized by the World Mining Congress held here. Singareni is conducting its coal mining operations in a way that minimizes harm to the environment and benefits nearby communities, he emphasized that alongside the company's growth, Singareni is prioritizing the development of local people and surrounding areas. He stated that SCCL strictly implements Mine Closure Plans from the beginning to the closure of mining operations and beyond. The company takes special initiatives to restore the environment, develop surrounding villages, and provide employment opportunities. Out of the total 1,205 LKL of water discharged from open cast mines, Singareni uses what it requires and supplies the remaining 820 LKL for local needs, he said Of this, 465 LKL are directed to nearby irrigation tanks and ponds, while 330 LKL are used by farmers for irrigation. In total, the water supplied by Singareni enables cultivation in about 13,625 acres, he said.. To enhance groundwater recharge, the company has launched the program 'Neeti Bindhuvu–Jala Sindhuvu,' under which 62 new mini ponds have been constructed and silt has been removed from 45 old ones, he informed. Skill development centers have been established in old mine buildings to provide training and employment opportunities to unemployed youth in nearby areas, said Balram. Water stored in abandoned OC mine voids has significantly helped improve groundwater levels, he said. Free employment training programs are being provided for unemployed youth and women in nearby villages, and free monthly mobile medical camps are being conducted, he said. Balram also shared that Singreani has already set up solar plants with a capacity of 245.5 megawatts in its unused lands. Once the second phase of solar installations is completed, Singareni will be recognized as a Net Zero Carbon Emission Company. Solar plants are also being installed on the overburden dumps of OC mines, he said. For agricultural development in nearby villages, silt has been removed from 20 irrigation tanks. The company also provides employment to locals through large-scale plantation and outsourcing works, he said. Overall, Singreani remains committed to environmental protection and the welfare and development of local communities. These initiatives will continue into the future, he assured. On the occasion, a short documentary was presented highlighting the environmental restoration efforts taken up after the closure of the Dorli-1 Open Cast mine in the Bellampalli area. Alongside SCCL, other organizations such as Coal India, NLC India Ltd., Tata Steel, Vedanta, Hindalco, NMDC, and some foreign companies also showcased their mine closure plans through PowerPoint presentations at the conference. UNI KNR GNK .