From Waste to Wealth: Ministry of Coal Charts New Course for Overburden Utilization

The Ministry of Coal unveils a visionary report transforming mining waste into a valuable economic and environmental resource.

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Redefining Overburden in India’s Coal Sector
In a pivotal move towards sustainable mining practices, the Ministry of Coal, led by Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy, released a landmark report from the High-Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) on the Gainful Utilization of Overburden (OB). The report was presented during the Half-Yearly Review of the Coal Sector at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, in the presence of Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Coal Secretary Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, and senior officials from various coal and lignite PSUs.
Overburden, typically the soil and rock displaced during mining, has long been considered mere waste. However, the new HPEC report challenges this notion, positioning OB as a valuable resource in alignment with India’s sustainable development goals. Formed with experts from five central ministries, NITI Aayog, and key coal companies, the committee’s recommendations signal a major shift in policy.

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Whole Mining, Real Value
The report proposes a ‘Whole Mining’ approach, integrating OB into the economic ecosystem. A key recommendation is to process OB into Manufactured Sand (M-Sand) — a sought-after material in the construction industry. This initiative not only offers an eco-friendly alternative to river sand but also opens revenue streams for coal companies. Pilot projects across the sector have proven its commercial potential, and new OB processing plants are being rolled out.
The strategy also emphasizes community benefits, including job creation, infrastructure cost savings, and reduced environmental degradation from riverbed mining.

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Circular Economy in Action
Echoing India’s push for a circular economy, the coal sector has already operationalized four OB processing units and five OB-to-M-Sand pilot plants, with more underway. OB is also found to contain valuable materials like clay, limestone, and rare earth elements, expanding its utility beyond sand.
By reclaiming OB dump land, the ministry envisions new possibilities for agriculture and development projects.

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A Sustainable Future Ahead
With a firm commitment to the HPEC’s vision, the Ministry of Coal is steering the industry toward a future where mining byproducts become economic assets. This move not only strengthens India’s sustainability agenda but also reshapes public perception of coal mining’s environmental footprint

8. M &A

Bharat Forge’s Strategic Expansion: CCI Clears 100% Acquisition of AAM India Manufacturing
The Competition Commission of India approves Bharat Forge’s acquisition of AAM India Manufacturing, reinforcing its position in the commercial vehicle components space.

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A Strategic Play in the Forging Industry
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has greenlit a major move in the Indian automotive and manufacturing sector—Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) will acquire 100% equity in AAM India Manufacturing Corporation Private Limited (AAMCPL), marking a significant milestone in its growth strategy. The approval comes with certain voluntary modifications proposed by the parties to ensure competitive integrity.
This acquisition positions Bharat Forge, a globally recognized name in the forging industry, to deepen its presence in the commercial vehicle axle market while streamlining its business synergies with existing partnerships and ventures.

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Understanding the Stakeholders
Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) is a global powerhouse known for producing high-quality forged components across critical industries including automotive, defence, railways, aerospace, marine, construction, oil & gas, and mining. Headquartered in India, BFL has a global footprint and an ambitious outlook on growth and integration. The company is controlled by the BNK Family through BF Investments Ltd., which also holds stakes in two joint ventures with Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC—namely, Meritor HVS (India) Limited (MHVSIL) and Automotive Axles Limited (AAL). Meritor was acquired by Cummins Inc. in 2022, adding strategic heft to BFL’s alliances.
On the other side of the deal is AAM India Manufacturing Corporation Private Limited (AAMCPL), a subsidiary of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (AAM Holdco). AAMCPL primarily manufactures axles for commercial vehicles, serving a crucial role in India’s commercial vehicle ecosystem.

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Structure of the Proposed Combination
Before the acquisition is finalized, a restructuring will take place within AAMCPL:
• The Pune Business Office, which offers captive IT support and product engineering services, and
• A components business division, currently engaged in pass-through exports of vehicle parts,
will be hived off to one or more AAM Holdco affiliates.
Additionally, e-axle assembly lines, currently housed under AAM Auto Component (India) Pvt. Ltd., another AAM Holdco subsidiary, will be transferred to AAMCPL as part of the transaction.
This reorganization ensures that BFL acquires a focused and core manufacturing entity aligned with its strategic vision, while non-core divisions remain within AAM Holdco’s global operations.

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A Green Signal with Guardrails
The CCI’s approval—conditional on compliance with voluntary modifications—ensures that the acquisition maintains competitive neutrality in the market. These self-imposed conditions underscore both companies’ commitment to regulatory transparency and fair play.
As the final order from the Commission is awaited, this acquisition signals more than just a corporate realignment—it represents a deliberate pivot toward consolidation and capability-building in India’s heavy automotive component sector.

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Bharat Forge’s move to fully acquire AAMCPL underscores the company’s confidence in India’s manufacturing trajectory and its readiness to scale globally through targeted acquisitions. With regulatory approval in hand and strategic restructuring underway, the road ahead appears well-forged for India’s industrial giant.