South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India, has signed a ₹7,040 crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Pvt Ltd to undertake large-scale underground coal mining using paste filling technology. This cutting-edge method involves refilling mined-out voids with a thick paste mixture composed of fly ash, crushed overburden, cement, water, and additives. By filling the gaps left after coal extraction, the technique helps maintain the mine’s structural integrity and avoids surface-level disruptions, such as land subsidence.
SECL will deploy this approach at the Singhali underground mine in Korba, marking the first use of paste fill technology by a public sector coal company in India. The project is set to deliver around 8.4 million tonnes of coal over 25 years.
The Singhali mine, which began operations in 1993, was originally approved for an annual output of 0.24 million tonnes. Despite holding 8.45 million tonnes of extractable reserves, mining in the area has faced limitations due to dense development on the surface—including villages, overhead power lines, and public infrastructure.
Traditional caving techniques were deemed unsuitable for Singhali due to the potential risks to the surface environment. The introduction of paste filling now enables safe extraction without disturbing the land above. The successful rollout of this technology could serve as a model for reviving other underground coal mines in similarly constrained areas.
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), one of the largest coal producers in the world. Established in 1985 and headquartered in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, SECL operates primarily in the states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
It is one of India’s leading coal-producing companies, responsible for extracting and supplying coal to various industries, including power generation. SECL focuses on maintaining high standards of production while ensuring sustainable mining practices. The company plays a crucial role in meeting the country’s energy needs, with significant contributions to India’s overall coal output.
