Coal India Ltd to Launch M-Sand Projects in a Big Way.

• CIL subsidiaries to Commission Five M-Sand Plants by 2024.
• CIL facilitates processing of waste overburden at its open cast mines under overburden (OB) rocks-to- M-Sand initiative.
• During opencast mining, overlying soil and rocks are removed as waste to extract coal and OB is layered in dumps.
• OB rocks are used in levelling up land for the construction of roads and railway tracks.
• M sand is produced by crushing rocks, and quarry stones to a stipulated size of 150 microns. It is different from River Sand.

Properties of M Sand (Manufactured Sand)

• High concrete strength compared to river sand
• The sand particles of M sand are in cubic form. This makes the bond stronger.
• zero silt content.
• Better quality control from being manufactured in a controlled environment
• Sand Mining Framework (2018) prepared by Ministry of Mine envisages M-Sand from crushed rock fines (crusher dust), sand from OB of coal mines.
• Benefits of M- Sand
  • More cost-effective than using natural sand.
  • Reduce the need for mining natural sand, which can have negative environmental impacts.
  • Reduce the amount of water required for construction projects, as it does not require washing before use.
  • Help maintaining water table.
• Sand is classified as a ‘minor mineral’ under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957, and administrative control vests with State Governments.