Govt allots 22-mt Chhindwara mine to Coal India Ltd

Struggling to enhance output, the world's largest coal miner CIL on Tuesday received a shot in the arm with the government announcing the allocation of Chhindwara mine to it.

The mine is located within the migratory corridor between Pench and Satpuda Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh. The move follows the Environment Ministry allowing mining in the block on the condition that it be notified as a CIL block.

The Coal Ministry had recently notified the mine with about 22 million tonnes of reserves spread across about 4 km as non-CIL block for allotment to private players for captive use. 'The Ministry of Environment and Forest has recommended mining in 60-Dhau North block located within the migratory corridor between the Pench and Satpuda Tiger Reserves identified by MoEF,' the Coal Ministry said.