Lignite: This is the lowest rank of coal, and is characterized by its low carbon content and high moisture content.
Lignite is soft, brown, and crumbly, and is used primarily for power generation.
In India, lignite deposits are found in the states of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of lignite in the country. According to statistics released by the Union Ministry of Coal for 2022-23, Tamil Nadu accounted for 49.97% of the production, followed by Gujarat at 27.37% ,and Rajasthan at 22.67%.
NLC India Ltd., headquartered at Neyveli in Tamil Nadu, contributes a lion’s share of lignite production
Environmental Impact of Mining:
Mining activities can cause significant environmental damage.
Green Initiatives for Sustainable Land Use:
Efforts are underway to manage land resources after mining for long-term benefits, but these initiatives require further development.
The current focus is on restoring mined lands using scientific methods.
Future Vision: Establishing community-friendly land uses like restored forests and eco-parks is planned for the future (according to a report by the Ministry of Coal).
Mitigating Impacts During Mining:
Overburden Management: In open-cast mines, removing layers of soil and rock (overburden) is necessary to access the coal.
Overburden Reuse: This overburden is processed and used for other purposes to minimize environmental impact.
Afforestation Efforts: Planting trees (afforestation) is another strategy used in some areas to counteract the environmental damage from mining.
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