Coal news and updates

Focus on coal quality

Coal India today said it would focus on improving the quality of coal supplied to its consumers.

The coal ministry has set guidelines for third-party sampling of coal, which has remained a concern among power utilities that are the major consumers.

The public sector miner produced 321 million tonnes (mt) between April and November, a growth of 8.8 per cent over the previous year, and achieved 97 per cent of its target. Coal offtake grew 9.8 per cent to 341mt.

"After steadying the growth in the twin performance parameters of production and offtake, our aim is to supply quality coal to our consumers. Sizing, washing and grade matching our supply are primary tasks before us," a senior Coal India official said today.

Power utilities had voiced their concern over a wide variation in the coal grade declared by Coal India subsidiaries and the analysis by a third-party agency appointed by them (power companies). In a meeting with the Central Electricity Authority earlier this year, the power producers had pointed out issues such as grade slippage, inadequate infrastructure for preparation and storage of coal samples at the loading end and sought more independence for third-party samplers.

According to a senior official of a public sector power utility, coal companies raise their initial bill on the basis of declared gross calorific value. However, the coal received often differs from the grade that is billed.

The coal ministry had on November 26 announced the standard operating procedure for sampling.

An independent third-party agency, appointed by the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, will undertake sampling and analysis at the loading end on behalf of both power plants and coal companies.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com