Chhindwara mine, which is located within the migratory corridor between Pench and Satpuda Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh, has been allocated to  Coal India (CIL).

The union environment ministry allowed mining in the block on the condition that it be notified as a CIL block. Following this, the centre alloted the mine to CIL.  CIL, which is struggling to raise coal output, may benefit from the allocation.

Coal ministry asked CIL to take necessary steps to explore and develop the coal block and initiate mining operations through the existing infrastructure.

The coal ministry had recently notified the mine with about 22 million tonne (mn t) of reserves and is spread across about 4 km as non-CIL block for allotment to private players for captive use.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has recommended mining in 60-Dhau North block located within the migratory corridor between the Pench and Satpuda Tiger Reserves identified by MoEF, subject to the condition that mining in the block is allowed, only if the said block is notified as CIL block, the Coal Ministry said.

CIL's arm Western Coalfields (WCL) received the mine for working through the existing incline of the Nandan-II block.

Keeping in view of the above, the competent authority has decided to assign the 60-Dhau North block of Knahan area in Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh to Coal India, it said in a letter to CIL.