♦ South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) became the first coal PSU to implement paste fill technology for underground coal mining.

♦ To implement this innovative underground mining technology, SECL has signed a Rs.7040 crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Private Limited.

♦ Under this agreement, large-scale coal production will be undertaken using paste fill technology in the Singhali underground coal mine located in SECL’s Korba area. Over a period of 25 years, the project is expected to produce approximately 8.4 million tonnes (84.5 lakh tonnes) of coal.

♦ What is Paste Fill Technology?

♦ Paste filling is a modern underground mining method that eliminates the need to acquire surface land. After coal extraction, the mined-out voids are filled with a specially prepared paste made from fly ash, crushed overburden from opencast mines, cement, water, and binding chemicals. This process prevents land subsidence and ensures the structural stability of the mine.