India’s urban landfills are more than just waste piles—they’re environmental and public health hazards occupying thousands of acres of valuable land. With over 2,400 legacy waste dumpsites holding 235 million+ metric tonnes of mixed waste, the Indian government has made biomining a national priority.
What Is Biomining and Why Does It Matter?
Biomining is the process of excavating old waste dumps to recover reusable materials and safely dispose of the rest. Instead of merely capping landfills, this method uses mechanical segregation equipment—like trommel screens, air density separators, and shredders—to extract value from waste:
- Recyclables like plastics, paper, and metals
- RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel), which can replace coal in cement kilns
- Inert materials for construction
- Compost-like fractions for soil conditioning or landfilling
This isn’t just waste removal. It’s resource recovery, land reclamation, and climate action—rolled into one.
Why the Push Now?
The urgency is driven by several risks:
- Leachate contamination of groundwater: One of the major concerns with legacy landfills is groundwater pollution. Over 60% of India’s dumpsites have no protective lining, allowing toxic leachate to seep into aquifers. This contaminated water often serves nearby communities. Biomining cuts off this source of pollution by removing and treating the waste at its root. In Chennai, for example, after the remediation of the Kodungaiyur landfill through biomining, arsenic levels in nearby groundwater reportedly dropped by over 70%.
- Methane emissions from decomposing organic waste—a potent greenhouse gas: Legacy landfills are among the largest contributors to urban methane emissions. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, and its release from decomposing organic waste significantly contributes to climate change. Biomining plant operations in India are designed to aerate waste, thereby limiting methane formation. Cities like Mumbai have seen methane levels fall sharply after biomining interventions.
- Encroachment on urban development space Cities like Indore and Chennai have already reclaimed land and reduced pollution by deploying full-scale biomining operations.
Regulatory Support for Biomining
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 – mandate biomining as a preferred method for legacy waste remediation.
- National Green Tribunal directives – prohibit unscientific landfill capping and push for active processing.
- Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 – aims for “dumpsite-free cities” by 2026 and allocates funds for biomining projects.
Biomining: Environmental and Economic Gains
- Reduced groundwater pollution: Chennai’s Kodungaiyur site saw arsenic levels drop by over 70% post-biomining.
- Lower methane emissions: Cities have reported significant improvement in air quality post-remediation.
- Urban development: Reclaimed land is now being used for city forests, waste-to-energy plants, and infrastructure corridors.
- Revenue generation: A biomining plant can recover 30–40% of legacy waste as inert material for road construction. Recyclables like aluminium and copper can be sold in secondary markets, generating revenue for local governments. RDF, made from non-recyclable plastics, can be used in cement kilns, replacing coal and reducing carbon emissions.
Maan Enviro Technologies: Powering India’s Biomining Efforts
One of the organisations contributing to this national effort is Maan Enviro Technologies, a company involved in the biomining of legacy waste across various Indian cities. With experience in operating biomining plants and supplying reliable equipment, they help municipal bodies meet their remediation targets efficiently. Their work supports both environmental recovery and circular economy goals by enabling high material recovery rates and safe site clearance.
FAQs: Biomining and Legacy Waste Reclamation
- Why is the Indian government focusing on biomining for landfill remediation?
The government prioritises biomining to mitigate environmental and health risks associated with legacy waste, comply with regulatory mandates like the Solid Waste Management Rules (2016), and reclaim land for urban development. This approach aligns with the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0. - How does biomining benefit the environment and public health?
Biomining reduces groundwater contamination by removing hazardous substances from waste. It also decreases methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, by aerating waste layers, thus improving air quality and reducing health risks for nearby communities. - What materials are recovered through biomining?
The process recovers recyclables like plastics and metals, inert materials suitable for construction, and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) used in energy production. These recovered materials contribute to the circular economy and offset remediation costs. - Are there any successful examples of biomining projects in India?
Yes, cities like Indore and Ahmedabad have successfully implemented biomining projects. Indore transformed a 14-acre dumpsite into a bio-CNG plant and city forest, while Ahmedabad repurposed a 32-acre site for infrastructure development. - What challenges are associated with biomining?
Challenges include high initial costs, technological requirements, and the need for skilled manpower. However, government funding, private partnerships, and advancements in technology are helping to overcome these obstacles. - How is biomining funded in India?
Funding comes from various sources, including government schemes like the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, performance grants, corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions, and carbon credit revenues. - Is biomining a sustainable solution for waste management?
Yes, biomining offers a sustainable approach by addressing environmental concerns, recovering valuable resources, and enabling the repurposing of land, thereby contributing to long-term urban development goals.