Coal Ministry Streamlines Disposal of Washery Rejects
In a bold step aligned with its Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Ministry of Coal has launched significant reforms to streamline the disposal of coal washery rejects. These reforms aim to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, enhance the ease of doing business, and facilitate the responsible and efficient use of washery rejects, all while prioritizing environmental integrity.
Currently, the disposal process for coal washery rejects follows the policy established on May 27, 2021, by the Ministry of Coal. The policy outlines a priority system for using washery rejects, with the first priority being energy extraction. This aligns with the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016, which advocate for the recovery of energy from solid waste materials with high calorific values of 1500 kcal/kg or greater. Following energy extraction, the second priority includes alternative uses such as construction material replacement, land reclamation, and brick production. If neither of these options is available, the final resort is to dump the rejects in mine voids or low-lying areas, ensuring environmental safety.
Until now, the disposal of washery rejects required prior approval from the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO), which entailed considerable processing time. However, in a bid to simplify this procedure, the government has eliminated the need for CCO’s prior approval for the first two disposal options: energy extraction and alternative beneficial reuses. The requirement for prior permission remains for the last option due to the CCO’s essential oversight in such cases. The CCO will continue to have the authority to conduct inspections, review records, and collect samples from reject stocks for verification of gross calorific value (GCV).
This elimination of prior approval is expected to significantly expedite the disposal process, allowing washery rejects to be disposed of more rapidly, easily, and efficiently. The revamped framework not only encourages the productive utilization of coal washery rejects but also aims to minimize operational delays.
Ultimately, these reforms are designed to optimize the use of domestic coal resources, ensure regulatory oversight, and bolster energy security. They contribute to the overarching goal of advancing towards a Viksit Bharat by fostering a resilient and sustainable energy ecosystem.
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