South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India, is set to become the first coal PSU in India to adopt paste fill technology in underground mining. Under a ₹7,040 crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources, the Singhali mine project aims to commence production within 36 months, marking a major shift toward sustainable and safer coal extraction practices.
What is Paste Fill Technology?
Paste filling is a modern underground mining method that eliminates the need to acquire surface land. After coal extraction, the mined-out voids are filled with a specially prepared paste made from fly ash, crushed overburden from opencast mines, cement, water, and binding chemicals. This process prevents land subsidence and ensures the structural stability of the mine.
