Technology Transforming Coal India’s Mining Operations

Coal India embraces cutting‑edge technologies—from gasification and renewables to AI‑driven mining—to redefine energy security and sustainable growth.

Coal India Limited (CIL) is undergoing a remarkable transformation, evolving from a conventional coal‑mining enterprise into a diversified, technology‑driven energy and materials powerhouse. At the heart of this transition lies a suite of advanced technologies reshaping mining operations, energy generation, and resource utilisation.

Coal Gasification and Underground Innovation

Coal gasification is redefining how coal is used, converting it into synthesis gas (syngas) for producing synthetic natural gas, ammonia, urea, methanol, and other chemicals. CIL’s four flagship coal‑to‑chemicals projects, worth nearly ₹69,346 crore, are designed to unlock chemical value from India’s high‑ash coal while supporting import substitution.

CIL is also piloting Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) at the Kasta West Block of Eastern Coalfields. This phased project involves directional drilling, injection and production wells, and advanced ignition systems, aiming to convert deep‑seated, unmineable coal into syngas.

Smart Thermal Power and Renewable Integration

CIL’s joint venture with Damodar Valley Corporation is deploying ultra‑supercritical technology at Chandrapura, Jharkhand, ensuring higher efficiency, predictive maintenance, and flexible plant operations.
On the renewable front, CIL has already commissioned 550 MW of solar capacity and is developing innovative projects such as a 20 MW floating solar plant at Chilwa Taal, Gorakhpur. Digital monitoring, lifecycle risk assessments, and hybrid storage solutions are being integrated to maximise performance.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

To stabilise renewable integration, CIL is investing in grid‑scale BESS projects. The TGGENCO Choutuppal project in Telangana (187.5 MW/750 MWh) and Odisha’s 80 MW/320 MWh portfolio exemplify how advanced storage technologies will support peak‑demand management and grid flexibility.

Critical Minerals and Advanced Materials

CIL is venturing into graphite and rare earth elements (REEs), vital for batteries, EVs, and advanced manufacturing. A proposed demonstration plant for coated spherical purified graphite (CSPG) with 99.95% purity highlights the company’s ambition to build an integrated graphite value chain.

Digital Architecture and Risk Management

Mining operations are being digitised through enterprise data rooms, GIS‑based opportunity mapping, portfolio dashboards, and digital engineering. A stage‑gate model ensures  disciplined execution from concept validation to commercial operation.

Risk management spans technology, market, ESG, and cyber risks, with responses including pilot validation, customer qualification, lifecycle assessments, and operational technology security.

Research and Development Ecosystem

CIL’s R&D initiatives are central to its technological leap. With 20 projects worth ₹231 crore, the focus areas include AI‑driven exploration, IoT‑enabled smart mining, bifacial perovskite solar cells, and 5G captive networks for mines.

Centres of Excellence at IIT Madras, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad are pioneering sustainable energy, clean coal technologies, and Mining 4.0. Achievements include five patent filings and the commercialisation of advanced detonation measurement equipment.

Conclusion

Coal India’s technology‑led diversification is reshaping the future of coal mining. From gasification and smart power plants to renewable integration, advanced materials, and AI‑driven mining, the company is positioning itself as a global leader in energy security and technological self‑reliance.

Coal India and AM Green Aim for India’s Largest RE Supply Contract

In what would be one of the world’s largest renewable energy contracts, Coal India Limited (CIL), plans to supply 4500 MW or 4 GW of carbon-free energy, in phased manner, to upcoming green ammonia facilities of AM Green. It would be through a combination of solar and wind whose capacities CIL aims to set up on pan India basis. This initiative aligns with India’s national goal of achieving a cleaner energy mix and transition towards net-zero emissions.

A formal non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU), for long-term supply and sourcing of renewable energy, was inked on 7th May between the two entities.

While the solar power capacity would be to the tune of 2500 MW to 3000 MW, wind is expected to account between 1500 MW and 2000 MW at an estimated total outlay of around Rs. 25,000 Crores. Potential sites for wind projects will be explored in the southern states of the county. And, for solar plants in the sunny states like Gujarat and Rajasthan.

AM Green will integrate the two renewable sources supplied by CIL with pumped hydro storage to ensure a steady supply of green energy to AM Green facilities.

“While coal remains our mainstay in meeting India’s expanding energy needs in the near term, our plans include a proactive role in building a greener and more sustainable future. This is in consonance with our commitment to become country’s integrated energy provider” said P M Prasad, CIL’s Chairman.

AM Green promoted by the founders of Greenko, one of India’s leading energy transition solutions providers, targets to produce 5 million tons per annum (MTPA) of green ammonia by 2030. This equals approximately 1 MTPA of green hydrogen and represents a fifth of India’s target for green hydrogen production under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Anil Chalamalasetty, Founder of the Hyderabad based Greenko Group & AM Green, said, “We are delighted to partner with CIL on one of the world’s largest carbon-free, renewable energy supply contracts. We aim to become one of the most cost-competitive producers of green hydrogen, green ammonia, and other green molecules in the world”.

The agreement was signed by Sudarsan Bora, GM (E&M) representing CIL while his counterpart from AM Green was Shatanshu Agrawal, Sr. Vice President – Business Development. Present were P M Prasad, Chairman, CIL, Mukesh Choudhary, Director (Marketing) CIL and Anil Kumar, GM (MM & Solar) CIL.

About AM Green: AM Green is promoted by founders of Greenko Group, which is among India's leading renewable energy conglomerates. Greenko Group has experience in building, owning and operating renewable assets and is in the process of constructing mega closed loop pumped storage assets which will enable supply of round the clock power at a very competitive rate. The founders have established AM Green as a new energy transition platform. AM Green's target is to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Green Ammonia, Green Hydrogen, Green Chemicals and biofuels and to set up related technology partnerships and services through its various business verticals which are housed in the subsidiaries of AM Green.

AM Green will house production of green chemicals, green hydrogen, and biofuels. AM Green is committed to producing green ammonia at scale across multiple locations in India. Goal is to reach 5 MTPA of green ammonia capacity by 2030, which will directly contribute to India's net-zero targets, while simultaneously supporting OECD markets in their decarbonization efforts. This output will be equivalent to 1 MTPA of green hydrogen, representing one-fifth of India's target for green hydrogen production and 10% of Europe's target for green hydrogen imports.