Rising scrap thefts in Singareni mines despite CCTV and security deployment

Scrap theft incidents are rising in mines operated by Singareni Collieries, with thieves targeting iron scrap and copper cables. Security personnel have been attacked in several cases despite increased surveillance and deployment of guards.

Peddapalli: Incidents of scrap theft are increasing in the coal mines operated by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), with thieves targeting discarded spare parts of heavy machinery, copper cables and other iron materials. In some cases, the miscreants have also attacked security personnel.

In a recent incident, a private security guard, Bojjapalli Sri Sai, was injured when scrap thieves attacked him at the Opencast Project–1 (OCP-1) mine in the Ramagundam-III area on March 7.

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Sources say thieves arrived at the coal corridor in a car and attempted to flee with iron scrap. When security personnel tried to stop them, the suspects rammed the car into the guards while escaping, leaving Sri Sai injured.

Similar incidents have been reported from other mining areas as well. Earlier, burglars attacked three security personnel at the Coal Handling Plant (CHP) in the Ramagundam-I area.

In another incident, a private security guard was attacked by three thieves at an old base workshop in the Ramagundam-II area. The guard managed to escape, but the suspects damaged his motorcycle before fleeing.

In an unusual incident, a group of burglars reportedly entered the GDK-2A incline underground coal mine to steal something. However, they abandoned the attempt after being noticed by an alert pump operator working at the site.

Despite enhanced security measures and the installation of CCTV cameras, incidents of scrap theft continue to occur in the mines. The company has deployed around 1,300 private security personnel in addition to about 900 permanent security staff.

More than 3,500 CCTV cameras have also been installed at different locations across the mining areas.

Sources said thieves are primarily targeting opencast projects, underground mines, coal handling plants, base workshops and stores where discarded machine parts and iron scrap are usually stored.

Heavy machinery used in coal production often becomes unusable after prolonged operation. Once new spare parts are installed, the old components are typically moved to sheds, workshops or storage yards.

Sources allege that some thieves obtain information about the availability of scrap from insiders working in the security wing and transport the stolen material using cars, auto trolleys and motorcycles.

Apart from iron scrap, three-core armoured copper cables used for operating heavy machinery in opencast projects have also reportedly been stolen. Before carrying out thefts, the miscreants are believed to conduct reconnaissance of the mining areas.

Company sources suspect that some security personnel may be leaking information to outsiders about the availability of scrap material.