The Ministry of Coal has recently made it to the headlines with its announcement of initiating the Star Rating Registration process for Coal and Lignite Mines for the fiscal year 2022-23. This move is seen as an attempt to encourage competitiveness and recognize excellence in the mining industry.
Understanding the Registration Process & Its Parameters
The Star Rating policy is designed to assess mines on a range of factors, grouped into seven key parameters. These include Mining Operations, Environment-related factors, Adoption of Technologies, Best Mining Practices, Economic performance, Rehabilitation & Resettlement, Worker-related Compliance, and Safety & security.
Participating mines will undertake a self-evaluation process. The top 10% performing mines will be validated further through inspections by a committee. The remaining 90% will go through an online review process, allowing all participants to contribute to the evaluation by reviewing other mines. The Coal Controller’s Organization will conduct the assessment, awarding ratings from five stars (the highest) to no star, taking into account each mine’s achievements.
Coal: A Defining Resource
Coal is a fossil fuel found in sedimentary rocks, often referred to as ‘Black Gold’. It is a conventional energy source widely used in industries like iron and steel, steam engines, and in generating electricity—also known as thermal power. Top coal producers globally include China, the US, Australia, Indonesia, and India. Indian coal is characterized by high ash content (35-45%), which is significantly higher than the world average of around 15%. On the other hand, Indian coal has a relatively low sulphur content of about 0.5%.
Indian Coal Distribution
Gondwana Coal Fields, dating back 250 million years, contribute up to 98% of India’s total coal reserves and 99% of coal production. This grade of coal is found in Damodar Valley (Jharkhand-West Bengal), Mahanadi Valley (Chhattisgarh-Odisha), Godavari and Narmada valleys. Tertiary Coal Fields, between 15 to 60 million years old, are primarily confined to extra-peninsular regions, including Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, the Himalayan foothills of Darjeeling in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala.
Coal Classification in India
Indian coal is classified into four categories. These include Anthracite (80 – 95% carbon content), Bituminous (60 – 80% carbon content), Lignite (40 to 55% carbon content), and Peat (less than 40% carbon content). The distribution varies across Indian geography. Anthracite is found in small quantities in J&K. Bituminous coal is found mainly in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. Lignite, with high moisture content, is located in Rajasthan, Lakhimpur (Assam), and Tamil Nadu. Peat, in the initial stage of transformation from organic matter (wood) to coal, is also found in varied amounts across states.
Previous Examination Questions
A question from the UPSC Civil Services Examination of 2013 asked about the characteristics of Indian coal. It asked which of the following characteristics Indian coal possesses: High ash content, Low sulphur content, Low ash fusion temperature. The correct answer was options 1 and 2 only, highlighting that Indian coal has a high ash content and low sulphur content.