The Coal Controller Organisation (CCO), under the Ministry of Coal, has developed SUVIKALP, an in-house mine-repurposing tool to help stakeholders identify suitable projects for the sustainable use of closed coal mines, the Ministry of Coal said in a statement issued on Wednesday, Digital India Times reported.

Source: Digital India Times

The tool follows a structured, data-driven approach: it evaluates and ranks potential projects using technical, environmental, social and economic criteria, India Education Diary reported in its account of the same official statement. Once a project is chosen, users can explore implementation pathways through PRISM, the Post-Mining Repurposing Implementation Strategy Model, which offers project concepts, case studies, sample detailed project reports, tender documents and information on relevant agencies.

Source: India Education Diary

SUVIKALP received the SKOCH Gold Award 2026 in the category of Digital Operational Efficiency – Data Driven Decision Making on September 26, both reports said. The SKOCH Awards recognise excellence in governance, technology, innovation and transformational initiatives delivering public value.

The CCO also ran 12 thematic webinars under its SUVIKALP Samvaad series, bringing together coal companies, government officials, researchers, technical experts and academic institutions. Discussions covered mine closure, community participation, livelihoods, tourism, financing and the reuse of abandoned mine voids.

The ministry said the initiatives aim to move mine-closure planning beyond compliance towards ecological restoration, employment and diversified local economies, helping turn closed mines into productive assets rather than leaving mined-out land unused.

Sources: Digital India Times, India Education Diary, Ministry of Coal statement as reported.