According to reports, the Coal India (CIL) is on a revival plan to reopen abandoned mines and is drafting a status paper for consideration of the coal ministry. Though proved unviable to CIL due to high cost of production vis-+?-vis low price of the fuel, the mines reportedly have high quantities of extractable reserves of coking (used in steel making) and thermal coal. The company previously identified over two dozens of such mines for redevelopment. While the coal ministry is yet to consider the CIL proposal, sources say the recently enacted Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act cleared the legal hurdles in tapping the unutilised resources.