In a bid to increase output, productivity, safety, quality, and environmental protection, the coal ministry on Friday requested suggestions for research and development (R&D) in the industry.

The  coal ministry has invited proposals from academic institutions and research organizations, with the submission deadline set for 15th July, 2023.

The ministry has stated that waste-to-wealth programmes, clean coal technologies, and innovative mining technology are among its research and development focus areas.

Since 1975, the ministry has been engaged in research and development  for coal and lignite, completing 330 projects for a total of 333.79 crore (USD 44.7 million).

The nodal organisation in charge of regulating the plans will be Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited in Ranchi. The suggestions must be approved by the Standing Scientific Research Committee, which is led by the secretary of coal.

IITs, NITs, IISc, NRSC, CSIR laboratories, and other reputable universities are now carrying out research projects funded by the Science and Technology (S&T) grant of the Ministry of Coal.

The coal industry refers to the extraction, processing, and distribution of coal for use as a fuel source. Coal is a fossil fuel that is primarily composed of carbon, and it has been used for centuries as a source of heat and energy.

The coal industry involves mining coal from the earth, which can be done through both underground and surface mining methods. Once the coal is extracted, it is typically transported to a processing plant where it is cleaned, sorted, and graded based on its quality and intended use.

The processed coal is then distributed to customers, including power plants, industrial facilities, and residential users. In many countries, coal has been a primary source of energy for electricity generation, but its use is declining due to concerns about its impact on the environment and climate change.

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