Both sides talked about sharing their expertise on diverse issues for any possible future collaboration

The first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on 'Coal and Mines' between India and Australia held on Thursday discussed collaboration in areas like clean coal technology and cooperation in skill development and training.

The meeting, held through video conferencing, was a precursor to the upcoming India-Australia Energy Dialogue scheduled to be held on October 13.

The discussions focused on Indian coal resources in the present and future scenario, critical and strategic minerals-demand and supply scenario, said India's Ministry of Coal.

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) was also discussed.

The other areas covered by the two sides were avenues for Business to Business collaboration on coal technology, transfer of technology, cooperation in skill development and training, and issues related to coking coal import from Australia.

Both the sides talked about sharing their expertise on these issues for any possible future collaboration. They 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.

The Australian team made presentations on Global Resources Strategy, Leveraging technologies and infrastructure to decarbonise energy & industry, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and trade and commodity relationship.

The meeting was co-chaired by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal Vinod Kumar Tiwari from the Indian side and by Mr. , Head of Resources Division Paul Trotman from the Australian side.

In his opening remarks, 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.