CCO's SUVIKALP Initiative Advances Sustainable Mine Repurposing, Receives SKOCH Gold Award 2026

Key Highlights:

• The Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) launched initiatives for scientific mine closure and sustainable repurposing of post-mining land.
• SUVIKALP, an in-house Mine Repurposing Tool, was developed for data-driven project selection.
• PRISM (Post-Mining Repurposing Implementation Strategy Model) provides implementation pathways for identified repurposing projects.
• SUVIKALP received the SKOCH Gold Award 2026 for "Digital Operational Efficiency – Data Driven Decision Making."
• The SUVIKALP Samvaad Webinar Series was conducted for knowledge sharing and capacity building on mine repurposing.

Detailed Insights:

• The CCO, under the Ministry of Coal, aims to transform closed coal mines into productive assets.
• SUVIKALP evaluates and ranks repurposing projects based on multiple technical, environmental, social, and economic criteria.
• PRISM offers project concepts, implementation approaches, case studies, and sample Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
• The SKOCH Gold Award 2026 highlights the innovation and utility of the SUVIKALP tool.
• The webinar series covered frameworks like RECLAIM and L.I.V.E.S., and topics such as livelihood opportunities and financing mechanisms.
• These initiatives promote environmental restoration, livelihood generation, community development, and economic diversification.
• The efforts align with the Ministry of Coal's vision for sustainable regional development.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Mine Repurposing: Transforming post-mining land for new productive uses, such as tourism or agriculture.
• Scientific Mine Closure: Environmentally sound and socially responsible closure of mining operations.
• SKOCH Awards: National awards recognizing excellence in governance, technology, and transformational initiatives.