India to Scientifically Close 147 Coal Mines in Next 2-3 Years

India plans to scientifically close 147 coal mines over the next two to three years as part of its sustainable mining strategy. The government has created a Rs 40,000 crore corpus, earmarked funds for community development, and aims to transform reclaimed mine lands into productive assets supporting Viksit Bharat 2047. Launching the ‘AAROH: Annual Report on Mine Closure‘, Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said India has already scientifically closed 42 coal mines, including 33 during the last year, marking significant progress in mine reclamation.

Key Highlights

• 147 coal mines to be scientifically closed over the next 2–3 years.
• Government creates a Rs 40,000 crore corpus for mine closure.
• 25% of closure costs reserved for community development projects.
• Reclaimed mine lands to support renewable energy, agriculture and eco-tourism.

India is set to scientifically close 147 coal mines over the next two to three years, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable mining, environmental restoration and responsible resource management. The initiative forms a key part of the country’s long-term Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

The minister highlighted that the government has established a robust mine closure ecosystem through the RECLAIM Framework, SUVIKALP digital platform, ARTHA Framework, and District Collector-led Mine Closure Advisory Committees. The Mine Closure Guidelines, 2025 place communities and sustainability at the centre of every closure plan.

To strengthen long-term environmental and social outcomes, the government has created a dedicated corpus of over Rs 40,000 crore for scientific and progressive mine closure. Additionally, 25 per cent of approved mine closure costs have been allocated for community development, creating an investment potential of nearly Rs 10,000 crore over the next decade.

Reclaimed mine lands are being transformed into renewable energy parks, water conservation projects, eco-tourism destinations, agricultural areas and community infrastructure. The government is also collaborating with Germany’s GIZ to adopt global best practices and develop an Indian model for sustainable mine closure.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said the successful closure of 42 coal mines demonstrates how degraded mining areas can be converted into productive assets through ecological restoration, afforestation, renewable energy and community-focused development.

India’s scientific mine closure programme is reshaping former mining regions into sustainable economic and environmental assets while supporting inclusive growth and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

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