New Delhi National Mine Closure Workshop Sets New Agenda

India held its first national‑level workshop on mine closure and repurposing on 23–24 February 2026, signalling a shift in policy focus from extraction to sustainable post‑mining land use and community‑driven economic transition. Hosted jointly by the Ministry of Coal and NLC India Limited at Neyveli in Tamil Nadu, the event brought together more than 560 delegates from government, industry, academia, civil society and development organisations to reimagine mine closure as a catalyst for environmental restoration and regional development.

The conference theme — “Moving Beyond Extraction: Mine Closure & Repurposing” — underscored a broader policy evolution across India’s coal sector, where over 147 out of 575 identified coal mines are approaching final closure. Inaugurated by the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, senior officials emphasised that closure should not be an administrative endpoint but a structured opportunity to transform landscapes, livelihoods and local economies.Experts and policymakers alike cautioned against a purely regulatory compliance approach, urging instead for closure plans to be deeply rooted in scientific environmental restoration, livelihood generation and community welfare. Representatives called for strengthened coordination between district‑level advisory committees and nodal officers, ensuring local stakeholders shape and benefit from transition plans. Transparent documentation and continuous monitoring were highlighted as essential for tracking environmental rehabilitation outcomes.

Presentations at the workshop outlined sophisticated frameworks such as RECLAIM, L.I.V.E.S, ARTHA and SUVIKALP, aimed at coupling mine closure with long‑term socio‑economic resilience strategies. These frameworks propose skill‑transition pathways, enterprise ownership models, and diversified economic ecosystems to reduce dependence on extractive industries — particularly in regions where coal mining has been the dominant economic driver for generations.The thematic discussions also looked at integrated land repurposing models, including agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, aquaculture in abandoned pits, eco‑tourism, renewable energy parks and data centre hubs leveraging natural water bodies. Such models point to a future where former mine sites contribute to climate‑resilient development and diversified economic activity rather than becoming environmental liabilities.

NLC India Limited, as host, showcased its existing sustainability achievements, reclaiming thousands of hectares of mined land and converting overburden into construction materials like M‑sand. The company’s efforts in water management, irrigation support for tens of thousands of hectares and rural drinking water supply illustrate how integrated mine closure strategies can deliver tangible community benefits when environmental stewardship is paired with social planning.Stakeholders also examined emerging international standards and global best practices in mine closure, underscoring the need for India’s approach to align with cutting‑edge scientific, social and financial tools. Financial institutions and funding organisations present at the workshop stressed access to transition finance as a key enabler for post‑closure economic diversification and infrastructure redevelopment.Importantly, delegates engaged in collaborative case‑study exercises, deliberating on environmental, social, economic and governance challenges inherent in closure planning — an acknowledgment that multidisciplinary strategies are essential for sustainable outcomes.

As India accelerates its infrastructure expansion and urban development, redefining mine closure as a structured, community‑centric, resilience‑oriented process can help former extractive regions transition into diversified economic landscapes, meeting both climate and social equity objectives.

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New Delhi National Mine Closure Workshop Sets New Agenda