SECL leads India in Scientific Mine Closure, Transforming abandoned Mines into Sustainable Community Assets

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has emerged as India’s leader in scientific mine closure, having closed 28 abandoned mines – 67 % of the nation’s total scientific closures – with 25 mines closed in FY 2025‑26, the highest by any organisation in a single year. Of the 54 identified mines, SECL closed three in FY 2024‑25 and plans to close the remaining 26 by FY 2027‑28. Closure activities include sealing underground openings, demolition of redundant infrastructure, land reclamation, plantation and ecological restoration, followed by repurposing reclaimed land for renewable‑energy projects (e.g., 5 MW, 20 MW, 40 MW and planned 55 MW solar plants) and community infrastructure such as schools, parks, health centres and water‑filter plants. Environmental restoration efforts involve planting ~35,000 saplings and dense plantations, while livelihood programmes aim to generate 25 tonnes of fish annually, creating 206 jobs and an estimated income of ₹3 lakh per family.