Suviklap-Mine Re‑purposing Equipment: Turning Closed and Abandoned Mines into Productive Assets

India's mining sector has for decades had closed and abandoned mines that have become major causes of environmental damage, water pollution, and social insecurity. To solve these problems, the National Mining Research Laboratory (NMRL) and a private technology start‑up have jointly developed the “Alternative Mine Repurposing Unit” (AMRU). This device integrates automated drilling, ground surface stabilization, water purification, and solar energy generation to convert abandoned mines into productive assets such as agriculture, water harvesting, solar farms, or tourist sites. In the initial pilot phase, the system was implemented at three major closed mining sites in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, where more than 70 percent of the land was transformed into a reusable form.

Experts believe that this initiative will not only aid environmental restoration but also contribute to local job creation and energy security. A senior official of the Ministry of Mining said that through the “Alternative Mine Repurposing Unit” the government's goal is to bring more than 5,000 square kilometres of abandoned mining area into productive use by 2030, thereby fulfilling several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, because of the device's cost‑effective design and locally manufactured components, it has been made accessible to small and medium‑sized mining companies.

There are also plans to export this technology to other countries with similarly challenging mining landscapes in the future. If successfully implemented, it will not only revitalize India's mining industry but also establish a global model in environmental restoration, ensuring long‑term economic and social benefits.