Coal and Mining Sector

RECLAIM Framework for Inclusive Mine Closure

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Coal has launched RECLAIM Framework— A Community Engagement and Development Framework for Mine Closure and Repurposing.

About the RECLAIM Framework:

  • Launch: The Ministry of Coal has launched the RECLAIM framework to guide inclusive and sustainable coal mine closures in India.
  • Developed By: The framework was developed by the Coal Controller Organisation in collaboration with the Heartfulness Institute.
  • Objective: It aims to ensure a just, inclusive, and locally relevant transition for communities affected by mine closures.
  • Inclusivity Measures: The framework places special emphasis on gender equity, the inclusion of vulnerable groups, and alignment with Panchayati Raj Institutions to enhance accountability and relevance.

Key Features of the Framework:

  • Guidelines: Mine closure guidelines were introduced in 2009 and revised in 2013 and 2020 to improve environmental safety and social accountability.
  • Community Engagement: The framework promotes community-centric planning by actively involving local stakeholders in mine closure processes.
  • Equity and Representation: It prioritizes the inclusion of women and marginalized groups to ensure that benefits are distributed equitably.
  • Institutional Convergence: RECLAIM aligns mine closure planning with existing institutional structures, especially Panchayati Raj Institutions and local governance systems.
  • Phased Implementation: The framework follows three phases:
    • Pre-Closure: Includes needs assessments and capacity building.
    • Closure: Involves participatory execution of closure plans.
    • Post-Closure: Focuses on monitoring, livelihood restoration, and asset repurposing.
  • Support Tools: RECLAIM is backed by field-tested tools, templates, and methodologies tailored to the Indian mining context.
  • Broader Impact: It supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and can be replicated in other resource-intensive sectors and states.

Challenges in Coal Mine Closure in India:

  • Policy–Practice Gap: Despite guidelines issued in 2009, only three coal mines have been formally closed as of 2024.
  • Low Compliance: Out of 299 non-operational coal mines, only eight have applied for formal closure, while the rest remain unscientifically abandoned.
  • Environmental Risks: Abandoned mines lead to methane emissions, ecological degradation, increased accident risks, and illegal mining.
  • Community Displacement: Unsustainable mining has caused unemployment and migration, reducing community engagement during closure planning.
  • Land Return Issues: India lacks a clear policy for returning post-mining land to original owners or communities.
  • Policy Gaps in Draft Bill: The 2024 Draft Coal Bearing Areas (CBA) Amendment Bill proposes land return but lacks clarity on enforcement mechanisms.
  • Financial Barriers: High escrow fund requirements—₹14 lakh per hectare for opencast mines—discourage mine operators from initiating closure processes.

 

[UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements:

  1. The coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi.
  2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis.
  3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only  (d) 1, 2 and 3

 

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