Kulda coal mine of MCL reaches 2021-22 production target

Sambalpur: The Kulda opencast project (OCP) of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) in the western district of Sundergarh has become the first coal mine of company to achieve its targeted 16 million tonne (MT) dry fuel production for financial year 2021-22.

MCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director OP Singh has congratulated the Team Kulda OCP of Basundhara Area for successfully achieving the production target of 16 MT set for the current fiscal.

“Kulda OCP has been very consistent in performance during the current financial year 2021-22. I congratulate Area General Manager Basundhara, the Project Officer and each member of his Team Kulda for their excellent performance,” said Singh.

The EAC (Expert Appraisal Committee) has recommended for increasing the production capacity of 16.8 MTY for Kulda OCP and 13 MTY for Garjanbahal OCP of Basundhara Area to 19.6 MTY and 15.6 MTY respectively. Garjanbahal OCP is also nearing its annual coal production target.

In view of current coal demand, the early environment clearance (EC) to increase production from Kulda OCP & Garjanbahal OCP will enable Basundhara Area to contribute 5.4 MT more coal during the current fiscal.

Despite restrictions due to COVID19 pandemic and prolonged rainy season, MCL had been successful in recording a double-digit growth in all the major parameters of coal production, despatch and overburden (OB) removal.

As of date, MCL has produced 146.4 MT coal, registering a growth of over 15% as against same period last fiscal and despatched over 157 MT dry fuel to consumers, which is 18% up from last financial year 2020-21. The company has also registered a record growth of 22% over last fiscal in OB removal, which stands at 182.5 MCuM as on February 21, 2021.