The Sondiha coal block of the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation ltd (CMDCl) has received environment clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), official said on Monday. The clearance has been granted for block’s 810 hectares area which includes 300 hectares farm land, 327 hectares forest land, 14 hectares waste land, 12 hectares road, 17 hectares water area. The coal block which is a part of Tatapani-Ramkola coalfield in the district of Surguja has a geological coal reserve of 50.423 million tonnes. The coal block has minable reserve of 37.633 million tonnes.
The Central Ministry had earlier approved term of reference for the block where the coal would be extracted through surface mining method. CMDCl will extract coal and provide it to small enterprises.
Now CMDCl will have to apply for forest approval. After getting clearance, it can start mining. CMDCl has been allotted two-three coal blocks in Surguja district.
The Central Government de-allocated Bhatgaon coal block after controversy. CMDCl has obtained a stay from the high court against the de-allocation.