Describing the Mine closure as is a landmark initiative in India's transition towards circular economy, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today said that India is redefining the very idea of mine closure by transforming exhausted mines into new centres of wealth creation, environmental restoration and sustainable livelihoods.

Referring to scientific mine closure as an embodiment of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of innovation-led governance, Dr. Jitendra Singh said a closed mine should no longer be viewed as the end of economic activity but as the beginning of a new development journey that serves both people and the planet.

Dr. Jitendra Singh was addressing the release of "AAROH- Annual Report on Mine Closure", organised by the Ministry of Coal in New Delhi. The event was graced by Union Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Secretary, Ministry of Coal Vikram Dev Dutt, senior officials of the Ministry, representatives of coal companies, industry leaders and international partners. The programme also witnessed the virtual inauguration of Coal NEER Plants, signing of the Implementation Agreement between the Ministry of Coal and GIZ for technical cooperation on closed coal mines, and Tripartite MoUs for establishing vocational training centres to create sustainable livelihood opportunities in coal-bearing regions.

Calling the initiative a landmark in India's transition towards a circular economy, Dr. Jitendra Singh said scientific mine closure simultaneously advances several national priorities, including waste-to-wealth, resource efficiency, environmental conservation, sustainable land use and community development. "You have closed a coal mine and opened another mine of wealth," he remarked, describing the initiative as a powerful example of how science and technology can unlock fresh economic opportunities from assets that had long been considered exhausted.

The Minister said such transformative thinking has become possible because the present Government encourages innovation instead of remaining confined to conventional approaches. He said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently inspired institutions to challenge established practices and adopt bold, future-oriented solutions capable of delivering long-term national gains. Scientific mine closure, he said, represents one such policy innovation where environmental responsibility has been converted into an instrument of economic growth and social empowerment.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said the initiative complements India's commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2070 by ensuring that environmental restoration progresses alongside economic development. He noted that as India expands renewable energy, nuclear energy and other emerging technologies, responsible utilisation and regeneration of natural resources will become equally important pillars of sustainable development. Progress, he said, must be measured not only by the efficiency with which resources are utilised but also by the responsibility with which they are restored for future generations.

Appreciating the transformation documented through the 42 scientifically closed mines featured in AAROH, Dr. Jitendra Singh said these examples establish a practical roadmap for the future of post-mining land use in India. He said reclaimed mining areas can evolve into centres of economic activity by supporting agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, skill development and other community-centric initiatives. He also suggested expanding participation of self-help groups, particularly women's groups, so that scientific mine closure generates sustainable livelihood opportunities while strengthening local economies.

Welcoming the Implementation Agreement between the Ministry of Coal and Germany's GIZ, Dr. Jitendra Singh said sustainable development increasingly depends upon collaborative partnerships that combine global expertise with local innovation. He described the agreement as a model capable of bringing together governments, scientific institutions and industry to accelerate scientific mine closure and land repurposing. Such collaborative frameworks, he said, have the potential to become replicable models across multiple sectors of the economy.

The Minister stressed that successful public initiatives should be communicated in ways that inspire wider public participation. Referring to the visual documentation presented during the programme, he suggested preparing short digital films on each scientifically reclaimed mine so that citizens, administrators and stakeholders across the country can witness these transformations firsthand. Such storytelling, he said, would enable India's mine closure experience to become a national learning resource while encouraging similar innovations in other sectors.

Drawing upon successful initiatives from other sectors, Dr. Jitendra Singh referred to the productive use of steel slag in road construction and the conversion of used cooking oil into biofuel, both of which initially appeared unconventional but eventually evolved into valuable economic resources. These experiences, he said, demonstrate that science-driven innovation has the power to convert waste into wealth while simultaneously generating public awareness, environmental benefits and new economic opportunities. He said the same philosophy lies at the heart of scientific mine closure, where yesterday's exhausted assets become tomorrow's engines of sustainable growth.

The Ministry of Coal has been implementing a comprehensive framework for scientific mine closure that integrates ecological restoration, community development and sustainable post-mining land use. The AAROH- Annual Report on Mine Closure captures India's journey in scientifically closing 42 mines through detailed case studies, before-and-after documentation and digital resources, while showcasing best practices for future mine closure initiatives. Complementing these efforts are the revised Mine Closure Guidelines, the RECLAIM, LIVES and SUVIKALP frameworks, Coal NEER plants for productive utilisation of mine water, and partnerships aimed at strengthening international cooperation and community-centric development. Together, these initiatives reflect the Government's commitment to ensuring that every phase of mining contributes to sustainable and inclusive national development.

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