Ministry of Coal to Release AAROH Mine Closure Report and Sign International Agreements
The Ministry of Coal is set to release 'AAROH – Annual Report on Mine Closure' on 22nd July 2026 in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in India's mining history. For the first time since independence, 42 coal mines have been scientifically closed in accordance with approved mine closure plans. The report documents the transformative journey of these closed mines, showcasing scientific reclamation, ecological restoration, sustainable post-mining land utilisation, and community-centric interventions that have enabled productive reuse of former mining areas.
High-Level Participation and Frameworks
The event will be graced by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy as Chief Guest, with Union Ministers Bhupender Yadav (Environment, Forest and Climate Change) and Dr. Jitendra Singh (Science & Technology, Earth Sciences) as Special Guests. Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey will serve as Guest of Honour. Senior officials including Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, Additional Secretary Sanoj Kumar Jha, and Coal Controller Sajeesh Kumar N. will also attend.
The Ministry has developed comprehensive frameworks including the RECLAIM Framework for community engagement, L.I.V.E.S. Framework for sustainable mine closure and repurposing, and SUVIKALP decision support tool for assessing mine repurposing options. These frameworks guide scientific closure, stakeholder participation, and sustainable land-use planning across coalfields.
International Cooperation and Implementation Agreements
A significant component of the event involves the signing of an Implementation Agreement between the Ministry of Coal and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to foster technical cooperation on 'to-be closed coal mines'. This collaboration aims to strengthen institutional capacity, facilitate knowledge sharing, and support adoption of international best practices in scientific mine closure and post-mining development.
Community Development Initiatives
The program will showcase on-ground innovations in mine reclamation and ecological restoration through an exhibition featuring initiatives by Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries, NLC India Limited, Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), NTPC, and private mining organizations. The inauguration of Coal NEER Plants established by Coal India Limited subsidiaries will strengthen access to safe and sustainable drinking water in coal-bearing regions.
Additionally, tripartite Memoranda of Understanding will be signed among Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), the Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority (JRDA), Hindalco Industries Limited, and Rajdhani Universal Fabrics Private Limited for establishing vocational training facilities under the Revised Jharia Master Plan, focusing on skill development in mining regions.