During Opencast mining, the overlying soil and rocks are removed as waste to extract coal and OB is heaped in dumps. Most of the waste is disposed off at the surface which occupies considerable land area and requires extensive planning and control to minimize the environmental impact of mining.

Sand is classified as a ‘minor mineral’. The administrative control over minor minerals lies with the State Governments and is regulated through state specific rules. Due to high demand, regulated supply and complete ban of sand mining during monsoon to protect river ecosystems, finding alternative to river sand became necessary. Sand Mining Framework (2018) prepared by the Ministry of Mines envisages alternative sources of sand in the form of Manufactured Sand (M-Sand) from crushed rock fines (crusher dust), sand from Overburden (OB) of coal mines.

OB to M-Sand initiative of CIL is facilitating processing of waste overburden in its OC Mines. Manufactured Sand (M-Sand) from overburden of coal mines has several benefits in terms of economy and environmental sustainability, including cost-effectiveness, consistency, environmental benefits, reduced water consumption, better workability, freed OB dumps, best out of waste, and helps maintain the water table besides some other.