Coal India’s Odisha-based subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) reported a 42.6% growth in top soil removal from coal seams during the current fiscal up to 25 May 2020 against the corresponding period last year.
Highest among all coal producing companies, the subsidiary cleared 27.51 million cubic metres of top soil and extraneous matter till May 25, compared to 19.29 million cubic metres during the previous corresponding period — a volume increase of 8.22 million cubic metres.
Top soil removal is an important performance parameter as it exposes coal seams for future mining making it ready to ramp up production when demand rises. It also lends to mine stability.
Despite lukewarm demand for the dry fuel from the consuming sectors, amid Covid-19 slowdown, MCL managed to produce 20.54 million tonnes of coal up to May 25 this year, the highest among all coal companies of CIL.
For the month, till May 25, MCL’s top soil removal registered a 53% growth at 12.95 million cubic metres compared to 8.46 million cubic metres during the previous corresponding period last year. Target achievement was 102%.
Bulk of MCL’s coal is produced from open cast mines and thus top soil removal assumes strategic importance. During 2019-20 MCL produced 140.36 million tonnes of coal, 99.4% of which was from open cast mines.
MCL which contributes to a little over 23% of CIL’s overall production and off-take is the second largest coal producer and seller among CIL’s subsidiaries. MCL is targeted to produce 173 million tonnes during the current fiscal and going forward is targeted to contribute significantly to the tune of 263 million tonnes by 2023-24 in CIL’s quest of 1 billion tonnes coal production by then.
