New Delhi, Bharat, September 27: Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the Ministry of Coal have demonstrated their commitment to responsible and sustainable mining practices by providing clean water to 981 villages in nine states.
This initiative has positively impacted close to 18 lakh people, ensuring access to safe drinking water and irrigation facilities, read the Ministry of Coal press release.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, CPSEs effectively utilized coal mine water resources, discharging approximately 8130 lakh cubic meters of mine water.
Of this, 46 per cent was allocated for community use, including domestic and irrigation purposes, while 49 per cent served internal domestic and industrial needs.
An additional 6 per cent was reserved for groundwater recharge initiatives. To ensure the suitability of mine water for drinking and irrigation, various treatment methods have been implemented, guaranteeing access to safe and clean water for communities throughout the year, read the press release.
Coal mining operations often result in the accumulation of a substantial volume of mine water in the mine sumps.
These voids not only store seepage water from strata but also collect surface runoff water from surrounding catchment areas, effectively functioning as extensive water harvesting and groundwater recharge structures.
This stored mine water serves multiple community purposes, including domestic and drinking water supply, agricultural field irrigation, groundwater replenishment, and various industrial applications such as dust suppression and heavy machinery washing, read the press release.
One exemplary project showcasing CPSEs’ commitment to community welfare is the Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filter Plant at Ningah Colliery, situated within the premises of Eastern Coalfields Limited in Paschim Bardhaman District, West Bengal.
This state-of-the-art facility, with a capacity of 5000 litres per hour, treats pumped-out mine water, providing safe drinking water and water for domestic use to nearby villages and colonies, read the release.
The RO technology employed effectively removes contaminants and impurities from water, ensuring the production of high-quality purified water to meet various community needs.
Additionally, in the Shahdol and Anuppur districts of Madhya Pradesh, underground seepage water from Damini, Khairaha, Rajendra, and Navgaon underground mines is channelled into the Sarafa River.
Prior to release, this water undergoes purification through step-by-step filtration processes at the Sarafa Dam. The treated water is then used for agricultural purposes in the areas surrounding the mines.
Furthermore, two filtration plants with a combined gross capacity of nine lakh litres have been established, benefiting over 5000 residents in the neighbouring villages of Khannath and Chirhiti, read the release.
The commitment of Coal CPSEs to responsible and sustainable mining practices not only leverages mine water resources but also improves the lives of communities while protecting the environment.
This initiative is a testament to the dedication of the coal sector to ensuring the well-being of citizens and contributing to the development of rural areas across the nation.
