On May 4, 2025, the Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, chaired a performance review meeting of the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI) in Ranchi, Jharkhand. This meeting, attended by key officials, highlighted CMPDI’s contributions to India’s coal sector and its strategic priorities for 2025-26.
Overview of the CMPDI Review Meeting
The meeting focused on evaluating CMPDI’s performance in 2024-25 and setting targets for 2025-26. Key details include:
- Date: May 4, 2025
- Location: Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Chair: Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines
- Key Attendees:
- Shri Manoj Kumar, Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), CMPDI
- Shri Shankar Nagachari, Director (Tech./CRD)
- Shri Ajay Kumar, Director (Tech./P&D/RD&T)
- General Managers, Heads of Departments, and senior officials
- Agenda: Review of operations, including exploration, report preparation, capital expenditure (Capex), R&D projects, solar projects, and CSR initiatives
The Minister praised CMPDI’s performance and urged the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability in the coal sector.
CMPDI: Role and Significance
Established in 1974 and reconstituted as a public sector undertaking in 1975, CMPDI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) under the Ministry of Coal. Headquartered in Ranchi, it is a Mini Ratna (Category I) company (since June 2019) and holds ISO 9001, ISO 37001, and ISO 27001 certifications. CMPDI provides comprehensive consultancy services in:
- Mineral Exploration: Leader in coal and lignite exploration, with advanced technologies like remote sensing, GIS, and LiDAR
- Mine Planning and Design: Prepared over 900 mining project reports for open-pit and underground mines, with capacities up to 25 Mtpa
- Environmental Engineering: Monitors air, water, and noise through six laboratories across coalfields
- R&D Coordination: Nodal agency for Ministry of Coal and CIL-funded research, with the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER) driving innovation
- Corporate Functions: Advises the Ministry of Coal and NITI Aayog on coal inventories and policies
CMPDI’s contributions support CIL’s goal of achieving 1 billion tonnes of coal production, as evidenced by India’s 81.57 million tonnes output in April 2025, a 3.63% increase from the previous year.
Key Highlights from the Review
The meeting assessed CMPDI’s performance across multiple domains for 2024-25 and outlined priorities for 2025-26. Key areas included:
1. Exploration and Report Preparation
- CMPDI added 13.1 billion tonnes of coal to the proved category in FY 2020-21, the highest in its history
- Prepared comprehensive mining plans and feasibility reports, accredited by QCI-NABET as a Mining Plan Preparing Agency
2. Capital Expenditure (Capex)
- Supported infrastructure development for CIL’s large-scale projects, such as the 70 Mty Gevra opencast mine (SECL) and 7.5 Mty Patratu underground mine (CCL)
3. R&D Projects
- Coordinated projects on coal washing, safety, and underground mining technologies through NaCCER
- Recent completed projects focused on innovation, safety, and equipment, as shared on X posts
4. Solar Projects
- Commissioned Ranchi’s largest solar power plant in October 2014, with ongoing efforts to expand solar energy use in CIL operations
5. CSR Initiatives
- Implemented projects in education, skill development, and community welfare, with an approved CSR plan for FY 2024-25
Shri Dubey emphasized three strategic priorities: new coal washing technologies, exploration of critical minerals, and increased solar energy adoption to align with sustainability goals.
Minister’s Directives and Strategic Priorities
Shri Satish Chandra Dubey appreciated CMPDI’s role in supporting CIL’s operational stability and urged innovation in:
- Coal Washing: Adopting advanced technologies to improve coal quality and reduce environmental impact
- Critical Minerals: Exploring minerals like lithium and rare earth elements to support India’s energy transition
- Solar Energy: Expanding renewable energy integration in CIL’s operations to meet net-zero targets
These priorities align with the Ministry of Coal’s vision of sustainable mining and energy security, supporting initiatives like Viksit Bharat.
Why It Matters for Competitive Exams
The CMPDI review meeting is a high-priority topic due to its relevance to energy policy, public sector enterprises, and sustainable development. Key reasons include:
- Energy Security: CMPDI’s role in coal exploration and planning supports India’s energy needs
- Sustainability: Focus on solar energy and critical minerals aligns with India’s net-zero goals
- Current Affairs: The meeting and its outcomes are likely to feature in MCQs, essays, and interviews
- SDG Alignment: Supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
Key Points for Revision
For quick memorization, focus on these facts:
- Event: CMPDI Performance Review, May 4, 2025, Ranchi
- Chair: Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines
- Key Attendees: Manoj Kumar (CMD), Shankar Nagachari, Ajay Kumar
- Areas Reviewed: Exploration, Report Preparation, Capex, R&D, Solar Projects, CSR
- Priorities: Coal washing, critical minerals, solar energy
- CMPDI Status: Mini Ratna (Category I), subsidiary of CIL
- Coal Production: 81.57 MT in April 2025, up 3.63% YoY
Conclusion
The CMPDI performance review meeting on May 4, 2025, underscores its pivotal role in advancing India’s coal sector through innovation and sustainability. For competitive exam aspirants, this event offers rich material for questions on energy policy, public sector enterprises, and sustainable development.
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