Bhavnagar Lignite Mine

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Bhavnagar Lignite Mine (also known as Surkha North Lignite Mine) is an opencast coal mine in Bhavnagar, Gujarat State, India.[1] The mine, which produces up to 3 million tonnes per annum, is operated by Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited (GMDC), a subsidiary of the Government of Gujarat.

Location

The map below shows the exact location of the coal mine in Bhavnagar, the state of Gujarat, India.

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Background

The Surkha Lignite mine started lignite mining in 2008 with the aim of meeting the growing lignite demand of industries of South Gujarat and Saurashtra.[2]

A rarity for mines in India, there is no forest land in the mining lease area occupied by the mine.[2]

Expansion

Due to the downsizing of lignite production from Panandhro Lignite Mine, the desire to supply a 500 MW lignite-based power plant in Bhavnagar district in close vicinity of Surkha (N) mine, and the existence of a number of large cement industries in Saurashtra which have started using GMDC lignite, GMDC proposed an increase in the mine's production capacity from 3 to 5 MTPA over its existing mine lease area of 3672 hectares.[2]

At an annual capacity of 5 million tonnes, the Surkha (N) lignite deposit has a life of 16 years.[3]

While the Terms of Reference for enhancing the lignite production capacity were granted in August 2019, as of August 2022, the EC is still pending approval.[3]

Mine Details

  • Operator: Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited
  • Owner: Government of Gujarat
  • Location: Bhavnagar, Gujarat State, India
  • Coordinates: 21.67208367, 72.23652471 (exact)
  • Mine Status: Operating
  • Production: 3.17 MTPA (2019)[2]
  • Total Reserves: 114.72 million tonnes (2019)
  • Coal Type: Lignite
  • Mine Type: Surface
  • Mine Size: 36.72 km2[3]
  • Start Year: 2008[2]
  • Source of Financing:

Expansion Details

  • Status: Proposed
  • Capacity: 2 MTPA
  • Mineable Reserves: 114.72 Million tonnes
  • Start Year:
  • Source of Financing:
  • Permits:

Articles and Resources

References

  1. Environmental clearance, India Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, accessed 11 January 2022
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Pre-Feasibility Report for Proposed Production Capacity Expansion From 3 to 5 MTPA at Surkha (N) Lignite Mine, India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, accessed August 2022.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Environmental Impact Assessment/Environment Management Plan for the Proposed Expansion of Surkha (North) Lignite Mine Project, Gujarat Pollution Control Board website, dated December 2021.