Coal news and updates

CIL banks on 6 coalfields to raise production

September 15: Coal India Ltd (CIL) is banking on 6 coalfields to raise its coal production and meet the targets laid down under the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17), a company official said on September 15.

“Out of the 21-22 coalfields, the chunk of the production growth will come from 6 coalfields. However, all of these coalfields face similar challenges,” T K Mukherjee, General Manager (CP), CIL, said while speaking at the 8th Indian Coal Markets Conference in Kolkata, organised by mjunction services limited, HIS McCloskey and the Coal Consumers’ Association of India (CCAI).

Among the 6 coalfields are Rajmahal, North Karanpura, Singrauli Main Basin, Mand Raigarh, Ib Valley and Talcher, he said.

Together, these 6 coalfields will produce around 271 mt of coal by 2016-17, he said.
However, land acquisition and forestry clearances (FC) may delay production from the blocks under these mines.

“As of date, 192 FC proposals are awaiting approval at various levels,” he said, adding that R&R issues also pose a serious hurdle in some pockets.