SUVIKALP – Mine Repurposing Tool

Context: The Coal Controller Organisation (CCO), under the Ministry of Coal, developed SUVIKALP – Mine Repurposing Tool, a specialized digital decision-support platform to convert closed and abandoned coal and lignite mines into productive, sustainable assets.

About SUVIKALP – Mine Repurposing Tool:

What it is?

• An indigenous, digital decision-support and planning platform designed to identify, evaluate, and rank sustainable post-mining land-use alternatives (such as eco-parks, floating solar, afforestation, agriculture, and industrial hubs) for closed or exhausted coal and lignite mine sites.

Organisation: Developed by the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO), an attached office under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India.

Aim: To ensure scientific, transparent and participatory mine closure, balancing technical feasibility, ecological restoration and community livelihoods.

Key Features of SUVIKALP:

• Unified Multi-Factor Data Profiling: Integrates geo-mining conditions, infrastructure connectivity, environmental parameters and financial factors to develop comprehensive site profiles for evaluating post-mining land-use alternatives.
• TOPSIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision-Making: Uses the TOPSIS algorithm to objectively evaluate and rank mine-repurposing options against competing criteria, minimising subjective judgments and administrative bias.
• Structured 5-Stage Assessment: Follows five sequential stages: Factor Selection, Option Generation, Community Priorities, Suitability Analysis and Final Ranking, ensuring systematic mine-repurposing decisions.
• RECLAIM Framework for Community Integration: Incorporates community preferences and livelihood priorities into technical assessments, aligning mine-repurposing projects with local employment, tourism and infrastructure needs.
• PRISM Strategic Implementation Module: Provides model DPRs, concept notes, case studies, tender documents and implementation agency details, translating mine-repurposing assessments into actionable projects.

Significance:

• Converts abandoned mines into productive assets, supporting local livelihoods, ecological restoration and regional development.
• Promotes evidence-based mine repurposing, supporting land restoration, circular economy goals and renewable energy expansion.