EXPLORATION OF COAL AND LIGNITE SCHEME – ECONOMY
News: Union
Cabinet approves continuation of Central Sector Scheme of ‘Exploration of Coal
and Lignite Scheme’
What is in the news?
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Recently, the Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs approved the continuation of the Central Sector
Scheme of “Exploration of Coal and Lignite scheme”.
Exploration of Coal and Lignite scheme:
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The scheme was extended
from 2021-22 to 2025-26 co-terminus
with the 15th Finance Commission cycle.
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Under this scheme,
exploration for coal and lignite is conducted in two broad stages:
○ Promotional
(Regional) Exploration
○ Detailed
Exploration in non-Coal India Limited blocks.
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The Nodal ministry is the
Ministry of Coal.
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Types of Coal: ● Anthracite: It contains
the highest amount of carbon out of all coal ranks (86%-97%) and it is used
mostly in industrial settings and the metals industry due to its high heat
value. ● Lignite: it is lighter
in colour than the higher ranks of coal. It has the lowest carbon content out
of all the coal ranks (25%-35%) and it has a high moisture content and
crumbly texture. ● Bituminous: It has
slightly lower carbon content than anthracite (45%-86%)1. The wide range of
carbon content in bituminous coal warrants uses for both electricity and
steel production. ● Peat: It is the
starting stage of a coal formation which has low calorific value and low
carbon content. |