Low attendance, less use of machinery hit coal production in Singareni

Sources report that between January and October, 1,892 employees were absent from work for at least 75 out of 300 days. Additionally, management observed a decline in the use of advanced machinery in underground mines due to a shortage of workers. During the inquiry, it was found that while 1,300 tonnes of coal per day were expected to be mined using Continuous Miner machines, only 828 tonnes were actually extracted.

Hyderabad: The absenteeism of a large numbers of workers on a regular basis and less usage of heavy machinery is resulting in low production in underground mines of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).The company’s latest study revealed that absenteeism of workers was one of the main reasons for decrease in coal production in underground mines. A total of 41,642 workers are working in all mines of the Singareni and of them, 23,235 are working in underground mines.

Sources say from January to October, it was found that 1892 employees were absent from work for at least 75 days out of 300 days. It also came to the notice of the management that the use of advanced machines in underground mines had decreased due to non-availability of workers. During the inquiry, it was noticed that though 1,300 tonnes of coal per day was supposed to be mined with Continuous Miner machines, but surprisingly, only 828 tonnes was mined.

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Similarly, an average of 6,500 tonnes per day was supposed to be mined with Longwall machines, but the company was able to mine only 1,653 tonnes. Due to these reasons, the cost of production of coal in the underground mine has increased and the company was suffering an average loss of Rs.5,540 per tonne.

Sources say some union leaders were not attending their duties on a regular basis and were involved in other activities. Low production and productivity was having a huge impact on costs of production of the company. For example, while the target of producing 2.99 lakh tonnes of coal was set for the Mandamarri area mines situated in Mancherial district for October, it could produce only 1.58 lakh tonnes, a 47 percent less than the target. Coal production in almost all the underground mines were low due to the poor performance of workers and less usage of heavy machinery, an official said.

Normally, in open cast mines, heavy machinery should work at least 20 hours a day, but at present in Singareni mines, it was being used only for 12 hours, resulting in less production, officials said, adding that heavy machinery was required to be used at least 18 hours a day to increase production. The company has reportedly asked the workers to use heavy machinery for at least 14 hours a day to overcome the losses being incurred by the underground mines.

The company is currently operating 48 mines. Of these, 19 opencast and 29 underground mines are located in 6 districts of Telangana.