Coal mining operations at North Eastern Coalfields (NEC), a unit of world’s largest coal company Coal India Limited (CIL), resumed on Saturday with the Union Minister of Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi inaugurated resumption of mining operations at Tikak colliery of NEC. Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma was also present on the occasion.

“Today we have resumed mining operations at Tikak colliery and it is a very important step towards development of the region. The coal quality of NEC is superior and it is in high demand by several of India’s domestic industries.” Shri Joshi said.

Mining operations at NEC were halted owing to non-availability of land for overburden dump and certain clearances. NEC presently operates in Tikak colliery in Margherita, Assam with two opencast projects (OCPs) namely Tikak OCP and Tikak Extension OCP with a combined coal production capacity of 04 lakh tonne per annum. NEC will also start producing coal from its Tirap OCP from upcoming fiscal 22-23. NEC has planned to produce 10 lakh tonne of coal from FY 23-24.

“Increased production in the mines will generate more revenues for the State Government, more employment for the people and also support small business activities, while catering to the energy demand.” Shri Joshi added.

Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of India’s coal production. The company has produced 606.06 million tonnes of coal in the current fiscal till March 25, 2022. Company’s coal production is up by 5%, relative to the same period of the last fiscal. The company’s coal offtake till date is 649.65 million tonnes, up by 15% in comparison to the same period of the last fiscal. This is also the record coal offtake by the company in any financial year.

 

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