India’s First National Workshop on Mine Closure & Repurposing Held at Neyveli
There were nine thematic sessions featuring 29 eminent speakers from government, industry, research institutions, and global development organisations
India marked a significant milestone in sustainable mining governance with the successful conduct of the country’s first National Workshop on Mine Closure & Repurposing at NLC India Limited in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. The two-day workshop, held on February 23–24, 2026, was organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Coal in collaboration with NLC India Limited.
The workshop was inaugurated by G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, in the presence of Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary (Coal), along with Additional Secretaries Rupinder Brar and Sanoj Kumar Jha, Coal Controller Sajeesh Kumar N, and other senior officials.
Broad Participation from Mining Ecosystem
The workshop brought together 147 Nodal Officers from mines identified for closure, along with representatives from coal sector PSUs, private mining companies, regulatory bodies, NGOs, financial institutions, academia, and international organisations.
In total, over 500 participants attended the event, reflecting a collective commitment to transforming mine closure from a compliance-driven activity into a strategic opportunity for regional regeneration and sustainable development.
Nine Thematic Sessions with 29 Expert Speakers
A key highlight of the workshop was nine thematic sessions featuring 29 eminent speakers from government, industry, research institutions, and global development organisations.
The discussions explored diverse post-mining land-use opportunities, including:
- Regenerative agriculture and agroforestry
- Livestock-based livelihoods
- Aquaculture in mine voids
- Renewable energy integration
- Tourism and eco-tourism development
- Cultural enterprises and skill development centres
- Policy convergence and international financing mechanisms
- Global best practices in structured mine closure
Experts emphasised the importance of community participation and livelihood creation to ensure that post-mining transitions are inclusive and sustainable.
Mine Closure as a Catalyst for Development
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy stated that mine closure should not be seen as the end of mining activities but as the beginning of new socio-economic opportunities for mining communities.
He highlighted the importance of scientific land reclamation, environmental restoration, efficient utilisation of mine closure funds, and sustainable livelihood creation in mining-affected regions.
Field Visit Demonstrates Successful Reclamation
Participants also visited reclaimed and de-coaled areas developed by NLC India Limited. These sites showcased successful transformation of mined-out land into eco-tourism destinations featuring boating facilities, rejuvenated water bodies, and bird habitats.
The visit provided practical insights into how integrated planning and scientific reclamation can convert degraded mining areas into biodiversity-rich and economically productive landscapes.
Key Policy Frameworks Supporting Mine Closure
The workshop highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Coal to strengthen mine closure governance:
- 25% of escrow funds earmarked for community development
- RECLAIM Framework (Reach Out, Envision, Co-create, Localize, Act, Integrate, Maintain) to promote community engagement
- LIVES Framework for sustainable land repurposing
- SUVIKALP, an interactive online tool to help project proponents identify suitable repurposing projects
The government also noted that 25 mines have already been scientifically closed, marking an important step toward transparent and accountable mine closure processes in India.
Future Knowledge Exchange
To build on the momentum generated by the workshop, the Coal Controller Organisation under the Ministry plans to organise a series of national webinars focusing on:
- Livelihood diversification
- Renewable energy integration
- Tourism-led development
- Skill ecosystem development
- Access to international finance
- Global best practices in mine closure
The workshop reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to ensuring that mine closure becomes a transformative opportunity for environmental restoration, inclusive growth, and long-term socio-economic resilience in mining regions across the country.
