Coal India reverses 14-year decline in underground production
For the first time in the last fourteen years Coal India Limited (CIL) has reversed the declining trend in underground (UG) coal production. The company reported an output of 26.021 million tonnes for FY 2024, surpassing the previous fiscal year’s production of 25.487 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year growth of 2.10 percent, Chairman P M Prasad announced in the latest annual report.
This achievement is significant for CIL, which has faced challenges in UG production due to various operational and technical difficulties. The company has been focusing on improving its production techniques and adopting modern technology to enhance efficiency and output.
Modern technology and equipment have played a crucial role in reversing the declining trend, officials said. As part of its strategy to enhance UG mechanization using mass production technology, CIL deployed six continuous miners. These machines have significantly increased the production capacity and efficiency of UG mining operations.
Additionally, three highwall miners were commissioned during FY 2024 in Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), and South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL). These highwall miners are designed to extract coal from exposed seams, further contributing to the overall increase in UG production.
CIL’s commitment to investing in advanced mining equipment and techniques reflects its strategic focus on sustaining and increasing coal production. This positive trend in UG production is expected to continue as the company explores and implements more innovative solutions to overcome existing challenges.
