Coal news and updates

WCL willing to start washing coal for environment conservation

In a positive step towards bringing down the pollution levels, Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) is ready to establish coal washeries for beneficiation of coal with high content of ash. However, the deadline set by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) seems very tough for the coal producer to meet.

TOI had reported about MPCB's consent appraisal committee coming up with a new policy, making it mandatory for coal mining companies to establish coal washeries at their end and supply coal with ash content less than 34%. The high level committee had set a deadline of six months for compliance with the policy.

WCL director (technical) operation SS Malhi told TOI a letter was received from MPCB about the new policy. "WCL will follow the directives issued by the state government. We will have to first hold a meeting with officials of Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (Mahagenco), which is our major consumer. Then the decision to set up coal washeries and locations will be taken," he said.

Sources said the six-month deadline is very difficult for WCL. "Around 30 million tonne coal per annum is produced by WCL from coal mines situated in the state, almost all from three districts in Vidarbha — Nagpur, Chandrapur and Yavatmal. All mines have different production capacity and also produce coal of different quality. The mines are situated far from each other. Therefore, proper planning is required to establish coal washeries. Besides, WCL will also be required to follow lengthy tendering and other types of processes," the sources said.

Also, WCL will have to comply with more than 17 aspects under the new policy for controlling water, air, non-hazardous waste, hazardous waste, operation and maintenance pollution.

The coal produced by WCL is mostly of grade-E and comprises around or over 40% ash. The thermal power stations have no option but to transport coal with such high ash content from coal mines, causing huge financial loss in conveyance. Besides, high ash content in coal damages equipment at power plants. Fly ash is generated in high quantity at power plants on utilization of high ash content coal, causing pollution. It also affects power generation since high ash content coal comprises of less usual heat value (UHV).

Taking serious cognisance of all these issues, especially air and water pollution, the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) had made it mandatory for thermal power stations to utilize only coal with ash content of 34% or less in 2005. Mahagenco assigned the task to five coal washeries but failed to get the desired results. Mahagenco terminated agreements with coal washeries in 2011-12. Coal with high ash content is supplied by WCL and consumed by power plants flouting all norms for the last four years.

source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com