Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Mechanisation of Underground Coal Mines

Mechanisation of Coal Mines is a continuous process. However, the degree of mechanization varies from mine to mine. In CIL, out of the 271 underground mines, 227 mines are operating under various methods such as, fully mechanized PSLW packages, Shortwall packages, CM with Mass Production Technology, Semi-mechanized bord and pillar mining with LHD & SDL and mechanized with mixed loading. Remaining mines which are not yet mechanized are in the process of mechanization. Further, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd. (SCCL) is operating 36 nos. of underground mines. Out of these, semi mechanization (SDL and LHD) and mechanization (Long Wall/Blasting gallery/Continuous Miner/Short wall) was introduced in 34 underground mines. In the remaining 2 mines Semi-mechanization / mechanization could not be introduced, because of difficult geological conditions, viz., steepness (gradient 1 in 3). This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal, Shri Pratik Prakashbapu Patil in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

The Minister further added that Government has been advising from time to time, coal companies for adopting state of the art technologies for improving coal production, productivity and safety. Coal India Ltd., (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Co. Ltd. (SCCL) keep introducing modern technologies/equipments as per the requirements from time to time.

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