New Delhi, March 6 -- Mine closure should not be perceived as the end of mining activity but rather as the beginning of renewed socio-economic opportunities for communities in mining regions, said Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy in his address atNational Workshop on Mine Closure & Repurposing.

The Minister also highlighted the need for scientific reclamation, environmental restoration, effective utilisation of mine closure funds and the creation of sustainable livelihood options in mining-affected areas.

India's first national-level workshop focused exclusively on mine closure planning and sustainable post-mining land use was held in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu.

The two-day event was organised under the aegis of the Ministry of...