Union Minister Jitendra Singh speaks at event marking release of 'AAROH- Annual Report on Mine Closure'. The report highlights India's initiatives for scientific mine closure, waste-to-wealth, resource efficiency, environmental conservation, sustainable land use, and community development.
In a significant development towards India's transition towards a circular economy, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has stated that India is redefining mine closure by transforming exhausted mines into new centers of wealth creation, environmental restoration, and sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that scientific mine closure embodies Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of innovation-led governance, viewing a closed mine as the beginning of a new development journey that serves both people and the planet.
The event was graced by Union Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Secretary, Ministry of Coal Vikram Dev Dutt, senior officials of the Ministry, representatives of coal companies, industry leaders, and international partners.
The programme also witnessed the virtual inauguration of Coal NEER Plants, signing of the Implementation Agreement between the Ministry of Coal and GIZ for technical cooperation on closed coal mines, and Tripartite MoUs for establishing vocational training centres to create sustainable livelihood opportunities in coal-bearing regions.
Dr. Jitendra Singh called the initiative a landmark in India's transition towards a circular economy, stating that such transformative thinking has become possible because the present Government encourages innovation instead of remaining confined to conventional approaches.
He further explained that scientific mine closure advances several national priorities, including waste-to-wealth, resource efficiency, environmental conservation, sustainable land use, and community development. In his words, 'You have closed a coal mine and opened another mine of wealth.'
Source:
Press Information Bureau
