Several international and indigenous companies have expressed interest in underground coal mining at the Deocha-Pachami coal mine in Birbhum.
This move comes as the West Bengal government explores alternatives to open-cast mining due to land acquisition challenges.
A global Expression of Interest (EoI) was floated in December, attracting responses from reputed firms in Canada and Poland, alongside Indian companies like Reliance Power. The final bidding process is expected to conclude by April, according to a senior state official.
Of the 1,200 lakh tonnes of coal reserves in the area, around 400 lakh tonnes can be extracted through underground mining. With a thick basalt layer overhead, open-cast mining is only feasible on 376 acres, while the remaining reserves lie under basalt over 300 meters thick, making underground mining the only viable option in over 2,000 acres.
Officials emphasized the significance of engaging Polish and Canadian firms due to their expertise in underground mining, especially given the challenging geological conditions in Deocha-Pachami. Poland is globally renowned for its underground mining technology, while Canada operates the world’s only subsea coal mine, the Donkin mine.
The state government is keen to start underground mining before the 2026 Assembly elections, making it a priority project for the ruling establishment.
