By Our Correspondent
RANCHI: BHUBANESWAR: Keeping in view the importance and relevance of coal as being the prevailing major source of energy and power generation, Metallurgical industries, an one-day seminar on “Future of Coal” was organized by NTPC Coal Mining Headquarters, Ranchi on April 25 with participation from World Coal Association (WCA) as special invitee.
The seminar was inaugurated by Ms. Michelle Manook, CEO, WCA in the august presence of Shri Partha Mazumder, Regional Executive Director (Coal Mining), NTPC, Ms. Daleen Lopez-Ruiz, Director (Membership), WCA, Mr. Antonios Papaspiropoulos, Director (Communications), WCA, Sh. P K Sinha, ex-CMD, NCL & MCL & Advisor to NTPC and Prof. Piyush Rai, Head, Dept. of Mining, IIT-BHU and other delegates from CMPDIL, NMDC, MECON, DVC, THDC, TATA Steel, Adani, Dilip Buildcon, Hindalco, Thriveni, Sainik Mining, KBP Mining Private Limited and Head of Mining Departments from IIEST, Kolkata & NIT Rourkela.
Ms. Michelle Manook CEO, World Coal Association, during her keynote address appreciated the title of the Seminar “Future of Coal”, being very apt in the current times terming as “Coal has the future”. She stated Coal is a Strategic Asset, not a Stranded Asset. She highlighted that “Net Zero” would be possible only if Energy Trilemma (i.e Energy Security, Energy Sustainability & Energy Affordability) is considered in the sustainable coal equation.
She stressed upon the need for continuous evolution and technological advancement in the field of coal mining and production, and at the same time putting more thrust on clean coal technology. She stressed India would continue to play a major role in future as India has abundant coal reserves, moderate gas, and oil resources than China. She emphasized that coal production is not only vital for power production but also it is critical to ancillary industries for production of cement, steel, and aluminum etc. and is also an important social factor, particularly in countries like India.
Shri Partha Mazumder, Regional Executive Director (Coal Mining), during his inaugural address welcomed all the delegates and touched upon the Indian power and coal scenario and highlighted the NTPC’s contribution in overall India’s power requirements. Shri Mazumder also stated that all India production of coal has increased to the level of 772.35 million tonnes in 2021-22 compared to 716.08 MT (2020-21). He also briefed about the journey of NTPC coal mines from 0.23 MMT in 2016-17 to 14.02MMT in 2021-22. Shri Mazumder shared that the transition for adhering to Net Zero commitment has to be smooth and with a positive approach to response to environment concerns.
Shri Mazumder stated that despite the much needed thrust on renewable energy, dominance of coal will be there at least for some more years, but we all have to focus on clean coal technologies and adopt modern technologies in coal mining to produce “Green Coal”. Sh. Mazumder concluded with an announcement that, NTPC has started mining operations from its fourth mine Chatti-Bariatu located in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand from 25th April 2022, for which he thanked his Coal Mining Team, NTPC Management & Govt. of Jharkhand,Govt. of India ,Ministry of Power ,Ministry of Coal and all other stakeholders for their continuous support and congratulated entire coal mining team.
CMPDIL presented their pilot study on vibro-ripper technology for overburden removal and brief about coal gasification Initiatives in India. TATA Steel highlighted the importance of Digital Technology and AI for better mine management. Prof Piyush Rai, from IIT-BHU presented the improvements and changes to be done in the operation of coal mines for a sustainable mine environment. Finally, NTPC presented their fuel strategies for ensuring uninterrupted, reliable, and affordable power.
During the seminar, a lot of discussions were held on project financing of coal mining projects, R&D in Mine Environment & Operation, developments in coal gasification and other aspects of clean coal technologies.
