6 overburden processing plants in progress
The government on Tuesday said six overburden (OB) processing plants and OB to manufactured sand (M-sand) plants are currently at various stages of installation within the public sector coal and lignite undertakings
New Delhi: The government on Tuesday said six overburden (OB) processing plants and OB to manufactured sand (M-sand) plants are currently at various stages of installation within the public sector coal and lignite undertakings.
The move aims to promote a circular economy by turning waste into wealth. The coal and lignite PSUs have commissioned four OB processing plants and five OB-to-M-sand pilot plants, the coal ministry said in a statement. Historically seen as waste, OB is now being positioned as an asset with the potential to contribute significantly to environmental sustainability, economic development, and create employment opportunities for local communities. Processing OB to produce M-Sand not only generates significant revenue for coal companies but also supports local economies by offering cheaper, high-quality sand for construction. The report of the High-Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) talks about the strategies for processing OB to produce manufactured sand.
