Under the strategic direction of the Ministry of Coal, Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has initiated a pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) at the Kasta coal block in Jamtara District, Jharkhand. This innovative endeavor marks a significant milestone in India’s coal industry, aiming to revolutionize coal utilization by converting in-situ coal into valuable gases such as methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
The UCG process offers the potential to transform these gases into synthetic natural gas and chemical feedstocks for a variety of industrial applications, including fuels, fertilizers, and explosives. This project underscores the Ministry’s commitment to promoting coal gasification projects and recognizing their potential to produce high-value chemical products from coal.
This initiative, managed by ECL in collaboration with Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) Ranchi and Ergo Exergy Technologies Inc. (EETI) from Canada, is set to span two years and will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, which commenced on June 22, 2024, involves preparing a Technical Feasibility Report through borehole drilling and core testing. The second phase will focus on coal gasification at a pilot scale.
The Ministry of Coal’s approval of a comprehensive policy framework for UCG in December 2015 laid the foundation for this project. Coal India Limited (CIL) selected the Kasta coal block for implementing UCG technology, tailored to Indian geo-mining conditions, to unlock coal resources that are economically unviable through traditional mining methods.
Funded by the CIL R&D Board, this ambitious research and development project represents a collaborative effort between Eastern Coalfields Ltd and Ergo Exergy as sub-implementing agencies. The successful execution of this pilot project is anticipated to create transformative opportunities for India’s energy sector, demonstrating the sustainable and efficient use of the country’s coal resources.
The Ministry of Coal has expressed its unwavering support for the successful implementation of this pioneering initiative, looking forward to its positive impact on India’s energy landscape. This strategic effort by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) signifies a major advancement in coal gasification technology, enhancing energy security and promoting sustainable development. As the pilot project progresses, it aims to set new standards in coal resource utilization, contributing significantly to India’s journey towards energy self-reliance.
