SCCL set to launch three OC projects in Telangana, Odisha

Naini opencast coal mine project in Odisha, Venkateshkhani opencast project in Kothagudem, Poosapalli JK opencast project in Yellandu to commence operations

Kothagudem: Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) management has planned to commence coal production in three opencast mines in the current financial year in Telangana and Odisha.

According to SCCL Chairman and Managing Director N Balram, in the financial year 2025-26 three new opencast projects would be launched. They are Naini opencast coal mine project in Odisha, Venkateshkhani (VK) opencast project in Kothagudem area and Poosapalli (Rompedu) JK opencast project in Yellandu area.

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Coal production in Naini opencast project in Angul district in Mahanandi volley would be started in another month as all the required clearances from the State and Central government have been obtained, the CMD said. 10 million tonnes of G10 grade quality coal could be produced per year for a period of 38 years from the project.

It might be recalled that the Naini coal block in Talcher coalfield is the largest repository of power grade coal in India. The union Ministry of Coal first allocated the coal block jointly to Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited (GMDC) Gujarat and Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation Limited (PIPDICL) of Puducherry.

To develop the block both the companies incorporated a joint venture company “Naini Coal Company Limited (NCCL)’. The total geological reserves estimated in the block are 455.18 million tonnes up to a depth of 550 m of 1H seam. Subsequently, allocation of the coal block to Naini Coal Company Limited was withdrawn and the same was allotted to SCCL by the Ministry of Coal on August 13, 2015.

The long-awaited environmental clearance for the VK opencast project was approved by the Environment Appraisal Committee in a recent meeting in New Delhi. Tenders for removal of overburden (OB) have been finalised and OB removal would start in May and coal production in August, informed Kothagudem area General Manager M Shalem Raju. Nearly 190 million tonnes of coal reserves are available in the OC and its life is 40 years.

According to the SCCL officials, the coal production in the Rompedu opencast project, where 20 million tonnes of coal reserves are available, is likely to be started in August. The project is an extension of JK OC.