Coal mines in Ramgarh district under Barka-Sayal, Argada, Kuju, Rajrappa and parts of Charhi mining areas of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) are ready for production during the rainy season despite several challenges.
CCL officials said they have made special preparations for the monsoon as coal production particularly in deep pond-like open-cast mines is a huge challenge during rains. The preparations included protecting the heavy machines deployed in the deep open-cast mines, arranging water discharge mechanisms and stopping rainwater flow into the mines.
Ajay Kumar Singh, the general manager of the Barka-Sayal area, which is the biggest mining area of CCL in the district, said his mining area is ready to start production despite the heavy rain. “We have dug out trenches in the outer circumference for stoppage of rainwater into the deep mines. If the water flows inside, it could sink our machines as the mines will turn into ponds,” he said.
Moreover, roads connecting the mines with the coal dump used were given proper drainage systems for the transportation of the coal produced, Singh said, adding, “We have made sumps in the mine for storage of rainwater discharged from the mines with the help of high-power motors.”
CCL Argada area general manager Sudhanshu Kumar Pandey also said, “We have already kept sufficient extra coal storage to continue dispatch during monsoon which is also a part of the preparations. We have put focus on keeping our heavy and costly machines safe during heavy rain which often sink in the water if no precautions are taken.” Pandey added that other machines, including earthmovers, were kept on standby for any emergency cases.
Meanwhile, a senior CCL official admitted that despite all precautionary efforts, mines suffer losses during monsoons but expressed hope that the mines in Ramgarh district continue to produce coals during the rainy season.
