Coal news and updates

The stock of high grade coal produced from underground mines at Talcher is mounting due to sluggish demand and high price. There are more than two lakh tonnes of coal lying unsold and the stock is increasing every day. It is because the consumers do not purchase this higher-grade coal due to higher price than the power grade coal they get from other open cast mines. 

Source said while the price of the underground coal remained from Rs.4900 to Rs.6100 per ton the price of opencast mine coal is between Rs.700 to Rs.1000. 

In Talcher two grade of underground coal are available, grade 5 and grade 8, while the open cast coal at Talcher is graded as grade 12. 

Coal officials attribute the depressed demand to the high rates. Earlier,the big consumers did not have an option and were lifting the high grade coal.

Now,with power grade coal abundantly available, they are not interested in lifting the costly high grade coal. 

Therefore, the stock is on rise at pitheads. There are two underground mines-Talcher and Nandira-at Talcher coalfield.

The rising stock is a problem as it is susceptible to fire, if it is not evacuated. A senor coal official says that company authorities are aware of the situation and will take steps to liquidate the stock.