Overburden removal must keep pace with coal production targets: SCCL CMD

Buddhaprakash Jyoti, the Chairman and Managing Director of the Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), emphasized the importance of overburden removal keeping pace with production targets in the Kothagudem Region during a review meeting on Saturday. The Kothagudem Region, which produces the highest quantity of coal in Singareni, consists of mines in the Kothagudem, Sathupalli, Yellandu, and Manuguru Areas.

The region is required to remove overburden at a rate of 5.5 lakh cubic metres per day, with all areas collectively aiming for 14.15 lakh cubic metres daily. Jyoti instructed agencies to provide sufficient machinery and manpower to meet these targets, stating that the company needs to supply 75,000 tonnes of coal daily to Telangana Genco thermal power stations to address energy demand due to El Nino conditions.

He highlighted that overburden removal is crucial for coal production, as coal can only be extracted from seams below once the overburden is removed daily. Jyoti urged officials to discuss any challenges in meeting the overburden targets with the relevant authorities and resolve them. He stressed that the management would not tolerate sluggishness in overburden removal.

Jyoti also highlighted the importance of prioritizing safe coal production and the quality of coal transportation. The meeting included discussions on mines with approaching contract periods and the need to prepare proposals for new contracts with necessary approvals. The meeting was attended by SCCL directors L.V. Suryanarayana, K. Venkateshwarlu, Gowtham Potru, and Tirumala Rao, as well as senior executives, B. Venkanna, T. Srinivas, Devender, Venkata Ramana, Durgam Ramchander, Venkatachari, Visam Krishnaiah, and overburden contractors.