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Lok Sabha
Public sector Coal India Limited (CIL) has planned for technological upgradation of its coal mines. At present there are 305 underground mines, out of which 96 are fully mechanized and 209 mines have both manual and mechanized working. Of these, 80 mines are proposed for mechanization during the Xth Plan period and the remaining in the subsequent Five Year Plan. In opencast mines, almost the entire coal production is mechanized. Thrust is being given for higher degree of mechanization in opencast mines with bigger size of heavy earth moving machineries.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal & Mines, Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. On a specific question on Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), the Minister said MCL is a subsidiary company of CIL which has predominantly opencast mines. Following steps have been taken by the company to increase productivity in its mines:
Opencast projects are now being planned considering 330 working days per year against earlier norm of 300 days, for better equipment utilization.
Opening more Greenfield Projects of high capacity to suit deployment of higher size equipment.
Increasing the capacity of the mine wherever possible.
Replacing the worn out equipment with higher size fleet to reduce the cost of operation and maintenance.
Introduction of Surface Miner to a greater extent in opencast mines eliminating drilling and blasting operation.
Increasing the machine availability & utilisation percentage to improve productivity of machines.
DS/SCH
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