Rare Earth Exchanges

Indian State-owned Mining and Energy Firm Ventures into Rare Earths and Renewable Energy

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Highlights

  • SCCL plans to establish two new entities:
    • SCCL Global for rare earth minerals
    • SCCL Renewable Energy for solar, geothermal, and wind power
  • The company aims to generate over 6,000 MW of renewable energy in the next three years
  • Exploring opportunities in the lithium triangle
  • SCCL is pivoting from traditional coal mining to align with India’s Net Zero future and emerging energy needs

In an exclusive interview with Times of India (opens in a new tab) journalist Koride Mahesh (opens in a new tab), Singareni Collieries Company Limited  (SCCL) Chairman and Managing Director N. Balaram (opens in a new tab) revealed the state-run company’s strategic pivot from coal mining to renewable energy and rare earth minerals. Recognizing coal’s declining role in power generation, SCCL plans to establish two new entities: 1) SCCL Global, focusing on rare earth minerals like lithium, graphite, potash, and nickel, and 2) SCCL Renewable Energy, aiming to expand into solar, geothermal, and wind energy. These initiatives are part of SCCL’s broader goal to achieve over 6,000 MW of renewable energy generation in the next three years.

Exploration Targets

SCCL is exploring opportunities in the “lithium triangle (opens in a new tab)” of Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile, alongside plans to utilize abandoned coal mines for gasification projects, converting methane and ammonia into fertilizers and explosives. Meanwhile, the company is expanding its solar energy footprint with significant projects in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka, including a proposed 800 MW floating solar facility at Telangana’s Lower Manair Dam. SCCL is also venturing into wind energy, with tenders planned to harness Telangana’s 5,000 MW wind potential.

While SCCL’s ambitions align with India’s push for renewable energy and a Net Zero future, the practical realities of scaling rare earth mining remain daunting. The rare earth industry, dominated by a few global players like China, involves complex supply chains, high extraction costs, and significant environmental challenges. Additionally, the transition to large-scale renewable energy, while promising, demands sustained investment, technological advancements, and robust infrastructure—factors that could delay SCCL’s vision becoming a reality. Nonetheless, SCCL’s diversification efforts mark a significant step toward aligning its operations with future energy needs.

The Company

SCCL is a government-owned coal mining corporation (opens in a new tab) in India (opens in a new tab). It is under the ownership (opens in a new tab) of the Department of Energy (opens in a new tab), Government of Telangana (opens in a new tab). The Union Government’s administration of the company is through the 49% ownership (opens in a new tab) held by the Ministry of Coal. SCCL is currently operating 40 mines where, 18 opencast, and 22 underground mines in 6 districts of Telangana (4 districts of AP), with a manpower of around 39,856 as of November 2023. SCCL contributes 9.2% of all India’s Domestic Production. Since inception (1889) 1.36 BT of Coal is extracted by SCCL and it has proved reserves of 10.84 BT.

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