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The Ministry of Coal set out Coal India Limited's move from conventional to technology-led 'smart' mining across exploration, open-cast and underground operations.
CIL aims to raise underground output to around 100 MT using Continuous Miner, Longwall and Highwall technology.
Of 92 planned First Mile Connectivity projects, 46 are commissioned (about 432 MTPA capacity); the ~Rs 27,800 crore programme targets 994 MTY mechanical loading by FY 2029-30.
CIL plans Rs 1,900 crore of R&D investment by FY30 through the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER) and Centres of Excellence at IITs.
Electric detonators were phased out in 2024-25 in favour of electronic detonators; the DigiCoal pilot's 17 solutions tested in 7 mines will be replicated across all mega mines.
| Aspect | Continuous Miner | Longwall | Highwall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mine type | Underground | Underground | Edge of an open-cast pit |
| How it works | Machine cuts and loads coal in board-and-pillar workings; pillars support the roof | A long single face (panel) is cut in one continuous pass under powered roof supports | Remote-controlled cutter drives entries beneath the final pit wall with no personnel entering |
| Why it matters | Mechanises conventional drill-and-blast workings | Highest-output underground method | Recovers coal left once stripping becomes uneconomic |
| CIL status | Already adopted | Large-scale introduction under way | Part of 100 MT UG plan |
Wholly owned CIL subsidiary for exploration, mine planning and consultancy; incorporated 1975; Mini Ratna
ISRO centre (full-fledged since 1 September 2008) for satellite data and geospatial services; CIL's dashboard partner
CIL's hub-and-spoke R&D centre (FY2024-25), moving work to prototype stage (TRL-4 and above)
CLEANZ (IIT Hyderabad), CSE (IIT Madras), IMiN (IIT-ISM Dhanbad); new CoEs planned at IIT Bombay, Roorkee, Kharagpur, Delhi and in North-East India
The other big state coal miner outside CIL; Government of Telangana 51%, Union Government 49%; mines the Godavari Valley Coalfield
Coal linkages for power plants
Key: Approved by CCEA on 17 May 2017; moved allocation from nomination to auction/tariff-based bidding; amended 2019 and 2023, revised 2025
100 MT coal gasification by 2030
Key: Launched 2020; backed in 2026 by a Rs 37,500 crore scheme for surface coal/lignite gasification
Re-allocate cancelled coal blocks by auction/allotment
Key: Followed the Supreme Court's 2014 cancellation of 204 blocks (Manohar Lal Sharma case); replaced the October 2014 ordinance; provides compensation to prior allottees
GS Paper 3 > Economy > Infrastructure: Energy
General Awareness > Economy > PSUs
Remote-controlled extraction of coal beneath the final wall of an open-cast pit, with no worker entering the opening.
Mechanised coal transport from pithead to loading point via conveyors, silos and Rapid Loading Systems, replacing road trucks.
Technology Readiness Level; NaCCER targets TRL-4 and above, i.e. beyond proof-of-concept.