According to the ministry, existing coal mines can expand production by nearly 25% without the requirement of additional public hearings that are part of the current environmental clearance process.
Expansion projects included under the ministry’s exemption guidelines comprise coal mining projects that do not entail a change in the mining method or an extension of the mine lease area.
Projects that underwent prior public hearings are also exempt from the mandatory requirement.
"Such an exemption will be considered for those expansion projects which have obtained prior EC and have undergone public hearing during the process of obtaining EC," the ministry stated.
A 25% expansion in production capacity is subject to a maximum expansion of 2 million ton a year if the extra coal is to be transported via road and a maximum of 5 million ton a year if the proposed mode of transport is rail or a conveyor.
