Coal India to develop 55 mine blocks

Coal India has decided to develop 55 new coal mines and expand 193 existing ones in the immediate future. The company is also undertaking portal-based monitoring of ongoing projects to ensure their timely completion. Coal India has taken steps to boost its coal production, (including) opening of 55 greenfield projects with a capacity of 92 MTPA and expansion of 193 brownfield projects with a capacity of about 310 MTPA, in the next five years. The company is using advanced technology and high capacity Heavy Earth Moving Machines like the 42 cum Shovel and 240 T Rear Dumpers, in the Gevra Expansion, Dipka & Kusmunda open cast mines. Cola India has also introduced surface miners in opencast mines to cater to environmental needs. During the last financial year, around 50% of the opencast coal production in CIL was through surface miners. To reduce import of coal, CIL is taking up source rationalization with part supply from higher grade coal sources. More coal from various sources was offered through e-auction schemes, particularly special forward e-auction, for power consumers not having fuel supply agreement with CIL.