Coal washing scenario in India and future prospects

Coal Washing Exploration in India dates back to 1900s; though, first coking coal washeries in India were installed after independence. At present, most of the coking coal washeries are owned by Public Sector Companies; whereas, most of the non-coking coal washeries are owned by Private Sector. Even after six decades of coal washing practices, there has not been significant development in the coal washing intelligentsia. Indian Coal Washing industry is still dependent on imported equipment, which has been designed to treat coal that is significantly different from Indian coal of drift origin. In this paper, authors have ventured into evolution of Indian Coal Washing Industry (with a focus on coking coal washing sector), its present condition and future prospect for growth. The paper emphasizes need for developing indigenous solutions to industrial challenges and highlights importance of increased coordination among academia-research institutions and coal industry.