CIL confident of retaining flagship position as India’s leading coal producer

Coal India Limited (CIL) is confident of retaining its flagship position as the Country’s leading coal producer, notwithstanding the opening up of the coal sector to private players for commercial mining.

CIL, Chairman, Pramod Agrawal said “Commercial coal mining is not going to adversely impact the production or profitability of the company. Key issues which will help improve to stay ahead of the competition include uniform quality of coal, cost efficiency in production and reliable timely delivery schedule. Introduction of higher degree of mechanized mining and increased supplies are other focus points.”

Allaying the apprehension that the entry of private entrepreneurs in commercial coal mining operations may shrink Coal India’s role, a company executive said “commercial mining complements our efforts in shoring up the country’s indigenous coal output,but may not be viewed as competition to Coal India. It would not unsettle us”.