Coal news and updates

GMDC expects to sell commercial coal from Baitarni-West block this year

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) expects to start selling commercial coal this year from its Baitarni-West coal block in Odisha, one of the largest coal mines in India and the company is already in discussion with prospective buyers for price discovery, according to a BSE filing. Production is likely to touch 1 million tons (mt) this year. In following years, production ramp up would be 3 mt in FY27 and 5 mt in FY28 while Peak Rated Capacity of 15 mt is likely to be touched by FY30. “The plan is approximately around a million tons this year, and then it will be ramped up fairly quickly to 3 million and then to 5 million tons very quickly, but it all depends on ground breaking,” said Roopwant Singh, MD, GMDC. GMDC has been staggering investment between Burapahar and Baitarni-West coal block, of the two big mines the company has decided to fast-pedal Baitarani West, the larger mine with less stripping ratio. Whereas for Burapahar, GMDC have staggered it by a year, and in the meantime is looking for partners for underground coal gasification.