NEW DELHI : The environment ministry has decided to give a one-time exemption from public hearing for coal mines’ expansion projects and allow mining in the critically polluted cluster of Chandrapur, Maharashtra, to boost coal output amid reports of looming power crisis due to coal shortages. These measures are being taken to “quickly ramp up coal production for enhancing power production in public interest”, the ministry said. It has decided to give a one-time exemption from holding public hearing for expansion plans of existing coal mining projects that have a production capacity of more than 20 million tonnes per annum. The maximum production limit for such expansion is 6 million tonnes per year. Also, projects using this provision must ensure that the additional production is transported by a conveyor or through rail transport. The environment ministry has also decided to lift a moratorium on expansion of existing coal mining projects in Chandrapur in the po...

AgenciesE-auctions have brought a lot of transparency into the mining sector, says TK Chand, CMD, NALCO. With China cutting aluminium production and short supply of it in EU and USA markets, the current prices of aluminium are likely to hold up, TK Chand, CMD, NALCO, told ET Now in an interview. Edited Excepts: ET Now: NALCO has been one of the largest aluminium operators in Asia. What would you say were the highlights of NALCO’s journey especially in the last four to five years? Unlock Leadership Excellence with a Range of CXO CoursesOffering CollegeCourseWebsiteIIM LucknowIIML Chief Executive Officer ProgrammeVisitIIM KozhikodeIIMK Chief Product Officer ProgrammeVisitIndian School of BusinessISB Chief Digital OfficerVisit TK Chand: We have been implementing a new business model. As you know in NALCO there are two major revenue segments – one is alumina, another is aluminium. Traditionally NALCO is very strong arm in alumina segment. We are strengthening it by putting a new refinery ...