NIT Rourkela Researchers Turn Coal Waste Into Material That Could Build Stronger Roads

**NIT Rourkela researchers develop high‑strength road material from coal‑mining waste**

*Rourkela, Odisha –* Scientists at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have created a composite material that could strengthen roads in coal‑mining regions while providing a useful application for large volumes of mining waste. The material combines coal mine parting, fly ash and a binder, and has been patented by the institute.

—

### Background

India extracts roughly one billion tonnes of raw coal each year, most of it from surface mines. The mining process produces significant amounts of waste, including coal parting material – rock and non‑coal material separated during extraction. Disposal of this waste can strain local environments.

Coal partings contain minerals such as silica and alumina, as well as clay minerals that possess compressive strength and stiffness. The NIT Rourkela team investigated whether these properties could be harnessed in construction.

—

### The composite

The researchers mixed coal mine parting with fly ash, a by‑product of coal combustion, and a binder to form a composite. They tested several formulations to identify a mixture that met the required strength and durability for road construction.

According to Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Professor and Director of the Department of Mining Engineering at NIT Rourkela, “The developed technology is particularly relevant to coal‑mining regions, where roads routinely carry heavy vehicles transporting mined materials. Such roads are exposed to significant loads and repeated traffic, resulting in frequent deterioration.”

The team, which includes Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra and research scholar Dr. Subhasrita Chodhury, has secured Patent No. 597749 (Application No. 202331070306) for the technology.

—

### Potential impact

The composite could help roads in mining areas withstand the heavy loads of trucks carrying coal and other materials, potentially reducing the frequency of repairs and associated costs. By converting waste into a useful construction material, the approach aligns with circular‑economy principles, turning industrial by‑products into resources with engineering value.

Prof. Manoj Kumar Mishra noted, “We have used two industrial wastes of huge volume into a resource with significant engineering potential and economic value. The material could help address waste‑management concerns while supporting more sustainable infrastructure development using locally available resources.”

—

### Next steps

The researchers plan pilot‑scale field trials to evaluate the long‑term strength and durability of the composite under real traffic conditions. If successful, the material could be adopted in road construction projects across India’s coal‑mining districts, offering a dual benefit of waste reduction and infrastructure resilience.

Article and image source: thebetterindia.com