Utilization Potential of Coal Combustion residue in Indian Mines

The demand for power in the country has increased tremendously in recent time. This means more power grade coal will be utilised in the thermal power generation to meet the increasing demand. Indian coal being high in ash content, it will lead to more and more coal combustion residue (CCR) generation resulting in more disposal and environmental related problems. As per the available estimates the coal combustion residue production has crossed the 100 Mt level in a decade or so. Though the utilization of coal combustion residue from 1994 onwards has shown a progressive increase, the rate is still low when compared to some other countries where it is 70 to 100% and in some case it is almost 100%. The present paper highlights several uses that the coal combustion residue can be put to in the mining areas and the several environmental benefits of its use. Several case studies prove beyond doubt the utilization potential of coal combustion residues. Judicious handling of the coal combustion residue, especially with respect to those power stations that are situated in and around mining areas and those coming up in the mining areas in the near future, will not only solve the disposal problem but, at the same time, it would solve several other existing problems of the mining areas