VK Tiwari, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, said on Friday that the Centre has prepared a National Mission to achieve the goal of 100 MT of coal gasification by 2030.
“Coal gasification is the future,” he told the National Mineral Congress in Bhubaneswar. Gasification is thought to be a cleaner option than burning coal, and it is a method in which to utilize the chemical properties of coal.
He said the conference provides an opportunity for brainstorming across sectors and improving. “We have started commercializing the sector, which is showing results.” He said, “We are taking steps to support the sector from all around.” Double approval has been removed; processes of mine allocation are now made online and gasification has been rewarded.
In a similar vein to Tiwari’s statement, Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), said coal gasification is the future for coal. He added that the JSPL plant in Anugul, Odisha will be the world’s biggest steel plant. Jindal said the JSPL steel plant produces six million tonnes a year and will grow to 25 million tonnes by 2020.
Anugul JSPL plans to participate in all the auctions for the raw materials needed. “If raw materials are found, Anugul JSPL will become the world’s largest steel plant in seven to eight years,” he said.
JSPL Chairman, Naveen Jindal, reiterated Tiwari’s statement that coal gasification is the “future of coal.” He said the company’s Anugul steel plant will be the largest in the world. In addition to producing six million tonnes of steel per year, Jindal will increase production to 25 million tonnes.
Anugul JSPL plans to participate in all the auctions for the raw materials needed. “If raw materials are found, Anugul JSPL will become the world’s largest steel plant in seven to eight years,” he said.
In order to meet India’s fuel needs in the economy, the Centre intends to become self-sufficient in the coal sector. As a result of a coal crisis, the country cannot produce 40% of its production capacity, resulting in a reduction in dependency on imports. Achieving self-sufficiency in coal production will help resolve and reduce dependency on imports.
In addition to producing iron from iron ore, coal gas can be used to manufacture methanol and urea.
Industry experts from 20 prominent companies attended the National Mineral Congress, organized by the Indian National Committee of the World Mining Congress. Participants discussed aluminium and steel challenges, coal gasification, and a transition plan from carbon to hydrogen.