Telangana: Singareni Collieries Company Limited gears up to overcome rain troubles in opencast mines
Management focusing on haulage roads where big machinery will be moved; side rails constructed to prevent waterlogging; graders kept on standby to clear mud
Peddapalli: Production of coal in opencast coal mines during the monsoon is a big challenge for the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). To overcome the problem, the Singareni management is taking precautionary measures this time around.
There are 22 underground and 16 opencast coal mines across Singareni. Opencast mines play a vital role in the production of coal as 80 per cent of coal is produced in OCPs and remaining 20 per cent in underground mines.
However, production will be affected during the three months of monsoon as rainwater gets collected in quarries. As a result, there will be an effect on the overall production. Haulage roads turn muddy. Big machinery in coal benches get submerged due to water storage in OB quarries and coal benches.
So, the management is focusing more on haulage roads where the big machinery would be moved. Side rails were constructed to ensure that water does not collect on haulage roads in case of heavy rain. Graders have also been kept ready to clear mud frequently and start the operation of machinery.
There were incidents of big machinery submerged in water-filled quarries. Big motors (350 HP) have been arranged to drain out water and start production immediately. Moreover, submersible pumps will be used to drain out rainwater.
On the other hand, pontoon platforms have been arranged to avoid submergence of motors. It is not possible to draw water if motors are inundated. So, motors are being fixed on pontoon platforms. Besides completing desilting works, the rivulets and canals flowing through OCPs have already been directed into other ways.
