Coal India Limited (CIL) will engage mine developer cum operators (MDOs) to increase its coal output and reduce import dependency of the dry fuel in the coming years. The Maharatna coal mining behemoth in the process has identified a total of 15 greenfield projects to operate through MDO model of which 12 are open cast and 3 underground, a release by Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) – subsidiary of CIL – said. Combined, they have a total targeted capacity of around 168 million tonne/year (MTY). While the OC projects have a targeted capacity of 162 MTY, UG projects have close to 6 MTY. The contract period would be for 25 years or life of mine whichever is less.
“CIL will engage MDOs of international repute, having state-of-the-art-technology through open global tenders, who shall excavate, extract and deliver coal to the coal companies of CIL as per the approved mining plan.