Dhanbad: Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI), Ranchi, and CSIR-Central Institute of Mining & Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR), Dhanbad, have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen scientific and technical cooperation in the field of coal gasification.
The MoU was signed on September 29, 2026, at the CSIR-CIMFR office in Dhanbad. The collaboration will cover process development, techno-economic studies, project planning and implementation of coal gasification projects.
CMPDI and CSIR-CIMFR Sign MoU in Dhanbad
The MoU was signed by Vikrant Gupta, Head of Business Development, CMPDI, and Amar Nath, Scientist-G and Head of the Technology Management & International S&T Affairs Division, CSIR-CIMFR.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organisations, including:
- Chaudhari Shivraj Singh, CMD, CMPDI
- R.T. Mandekar, Director General, Directorate General of Mines Safety
- Prof. Arvind Kumar Mishra, Director, CSIR-CIMFR
- Senior officials from CMPDI and CSIR-CIMFR
Read also: CMPDI and QCI Join Hands to Advance Sustainable Mining and Strengthen Environmental Governance
Collaboration to Cover Coal Gasification Project Development
The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation in the development and implementation of coal gasification projects.
The collaboration will include preparation of Pre-Feasibility Reports as well as Detailed Reports and Feasibility Reports for Surface Coal Gasification projects.
The two organisations will work together across different stages of project development, from technical assessment and planning to industrial-scale deployment.
CSIR-CIMFR to Act as Knowledge Partner
Under the agreement, CSIR-CIMFR will serve as the knowledge partner and provide technical and scientific expertise for coal gasification projects.
Its areas of responsibility will include:
- Process engineering
- Feedstock assessment
- Gasifier selection
- Process development
- Techno-economic analysis
- Pilot-scale evaluation
CSIR-CIMFR will also provide technical inputs required for evaluating and developing suitable coal gasification technologies.
CMPDI to Support Project Development and Implementation
CMPDI will act as the Project Development and Implementation Partner under the MoU.
Its responsibilities will include project planning, coordination with stakeholders and supporting industrial-scale deployment of coal gasification projects.
The collaboration will also cover engineering and design inputs, site and infrastructure assessment, and evaluation of environmental and regulatory requirements.
MoU to Support Technology Commercialisation
The scope of cooperation extends beyond technical development and project planning.
The two organisations will also collaborate on:
- Technology commercialisation
- Identification of potential industry partners
- Site and infrastructure assessment
- Environmental and regulatory evaluation
- Engineering and design inputs
- Project implementation support
These areas are intended to support the transition of suitable coal gasification technologies from development and evaluation towards commercial-scale projects.
Five-Year Agreement for Scientific Cooperation
The MoU between CMPDI and CSIR-CIMFR will remain effective for a period of five years.
The agreement provides a framework for continued scientific, technical and project-level cooperation between the two organisations in coal gasification during the period.
About CMPDI
Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI), Ranchi, is a consultancy and engineering company operating in the coal and mining sector. It provides services related to mine planning, exploration, engineering, project development and other technical aspects of mining.
About CSIR-CIMFR
CSIR-Central Institute of Mining & Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR), Dhanbad, is a research institute under the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). It undertakes research and provides scientific and technological expertise in mining, coal, fuel and related areas.
Read also: CMPDI Develops India’s First Field-Based Methodology for GHG Assessment of Opencast Coal Mines
