Turning Waste Into Wealth: Overburden Transforms Economy and Environment

The government has announced the installation of six overburden (OB) processing plants aimed at promoting a circular economy. These plants convert OB to manufactured sand, providing economic benefits to coal companies and local communities while reducing environmental impact by decreasing dependency on river sand for construction.

The government has revealed plans to install six overburden (OB) processing plants, a move poised to stimulate the circular economy by transforming waste into a valuable resource.

According to the coal ministry, four OB processing plants and five OB-to-manufactured sand (M-sand) pilot plants have been commissioned in the coal and lignite sectors. This initiative seeks to redefine OB from a historical waste product to a vital asset in driving environmental sustainability and economic growth.

The production of M-sand from OB not only boosts revenue for coal companies but also invigorates local economies by offering a cheaper alternative to river sand while generating jobs and protecting ecosystems from degradation.

(With inputs from agencies.)