Page 78 - Policy & Economic Report - July 2025

July 2026 POLICY AND ECONOMIC
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highlighting successful models and providing valuable insights for future mine closure and repurposing
efforts.

The report also captures the evolution of India’s mine closure framework and highlights key initiatives
of the Ministry of Coal, including the RECLAIM Framework, L.I.V.E.S. Framework, SUVIKALP – Mine
Repurposing Tool, and SUVIKALP Samvaad, which promote scientific assessment, stakeholder
participation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable post-mining land use.

Another highlight of the event was the signing of the Implementation Agreement between the
Ministry of Coal and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) for technical
cooperation on ‘To-be closed mines’. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in scientific
mine closure, mine repurposing, technical capacity building, knowledge exchange, and adoption of
global best practices, further strengthening India-Germany cooperation in the mining sector. The
project has been commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
(BMZ) and is co-financed by the European Union, with a total project volume of EUR 10 million until
2030. The cooperation will take place over the next four years focusing on developing innovative and
sustainable approaches for the closure and repurposing of coal mines in India. This investment by
Germany and the European Union reflects Team Europe’s strong partnership with India to deepen
cooperation on sustainable economic development, a priority reaffirmed at the 16th India–EU Summit
and the visit of German Chancellor to India earlier this year.

The Union Minister also virtually inaugurated Coal NEER Plants established by Coal India Limited
through its subsidiaries—Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Central Coalfields Limited (CCL),
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), and South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL). The initiative is aimed
at strengthening access to safe and sustainable drinking water facilities in coal-bearing regions and
improving the quality of life of communities residing in mining areas. Aligning with the Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Waste to Wealth’, these plants purify mine water and markets it as
safe, high-quality bottled drinking water under the brand name ‘Coal Neer.’ These projects use
advanced treatment methods including RO, UV and CDI technologies to provide safe, clean, and
affordable drinking water to nearby villages and local communities. Apart from providing affordable
bottled drinking water, these projects also offer sustainable livelihood opportunities for Self Help
Groups from nearby villages.

The event also witnessed the signing of tripartite Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) by Bharat
Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) and Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority (JRDA) with Hindalco
Industries Limited and Rajdhani Universal Fabrics Private Limited. These partnerships will facilitate
coordinated efforts towards rehabilitation, infrastructure development, community welfare, and
socio-economic development in the Jharia coalfield region. The MoU signed between BCCL, JRDA and
Hindalco aims to establish an Industry-Linked Skill Centre that will equip the youth of the Dhanbad
region with industry-relevant skills to work in world-class apparel manufacturing units. The MoU
signed between BCCL, JRDA and Rajdhani Universal Fabrics Pvt Ltd aims to establish a world-class

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