Raniganj Coalfield Landslide: Mine Safety and Coal Types in India

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

  1. Anthracite
    Highest carbon, hard, smokeless, highest heat value.
  2. Bituminous
    Medium–high carbon, most used in power and steel plants.
  3. Lignite
    Brown coal, high moisture, low heat value.
  4. 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.
PYQ – 2013, Ans – A
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