First India-Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on

As a precursor to the upcoming India-Australia Energy Dialogue scheduled to be held on 13th October 2021, the first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on “Coal and Mines” between India and Australia was held on Thursday, 23rd September 2021 through Video conferencing.

This was co-chaired by Mr. Vinod Kumar Tiwari, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, from the Indian side and by Mr. Paul Trotman, Head of Resources Division from the Australian side. In his opening remarks Mr. Tiwari provided overview of the coal sector in India and presented emerging scenario for future. He highlighted the priority areas to be included for possible collaborations in coal and mining sectors in both the countries.

The discussions focused on Indian coal resources in the present and future scenario, critical and strategic minerals-demand and supply scenario & engagements with Australian counterpart, India Australia collaboration on Clean Coal Technology, Surface Coal Gasification, Coal Bed Methane, sharing of Technology deployed for fire quenching, Coal Based Hydrogen, Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage (CCUS). Avenues for Business-to-Business collaboration on coal technology, transfer of technology, cooperation on skill development and training, issues related to coking coal import from Australia were discussed.

Both the sides discussed about sharing their expertise on these issues for any possible future collaboration and agreed that the discussions would also be carried forward beyond the confines of this forum

From the Indian side presentations were made on Resources, Technology, Sustainability and Business Opportunities. Presentations from the Indian side were made by Ms. Vismita Tej, Joint Secretary, Mr. Anandi Prasad, Advisor, Ministry of Coal, Mr. Ranjit Rath, CMD, KABIL, Mr. Peeyush Kumar, Chief Manager, CIL and Mr. A.K Rana, Director, CMPDIL. Presentations from the Australian side were made on Global Resources Strategy, leveraging technologies and infrastructure to decarbonise energy & industry, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and trade and commodity relationship. An open house discussion was also held.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.