Context: Raniganj Coalfield
A landslide at ECL’s Kunustoria Colliery in the Raniganj coal belt during blasting operations caused deaths and injuries, highlighting mine safety concerns.
Raniganj Coalfield
- Located in West Bengal–Jharkhand, in the Damodar Valley.
- India’s oldest coalfield, discovered in 1774.
- Important for thermal power and industries.
Coal in India — Types & Characteristics
- Anthracite
Highest carbon, hard, smokeless, highest heat value. - Bituminous
Medium–high carbon, most used in power and steel plants. - Lignite
Brown coal, high moisture, low heat value. - Peat
Lowest carbon, very high moisture, least efficient.
Coal by Geological Age
Gondwana Coal
- Old coal; around 98% of India’s reserves.
- Higher ash content.
- Found in Damodar, Mahanadi and Godavari valleys.
- Raniganj belongs to this type.
Tertiary Coal
- Younger coal with more moisture.
- Found mainly in Northeast India, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
