In the past, coal was mined almost exclusively by underground mining by the bord and pillar method and SCCL initiated a modicum of mechanization in the 1950’s. The Company paid more attention to the introduction of mechanized opencast from 1974 onwards. Such efforts yielded quick results mainly due to contribution of opencast mining of shallow deposits. Unfortunately, such deposits amenable to opencast mining are sparse. Consequently, this advantage can no longer be sustained and in 2001-02 the contribution of opencast mines in total production has been only 17.064 Mt of the total production of 30.811Mt.

For obvious reasons, the focus in the future will be on the underground mechanization at greater depth. The following thrust areas have been identified by SCCL for implementing its mechanization policy:

I) Introduction of longwall technology, wherever conditions are favourable.

II) Introduction of blasting gallery method in thick seams in virgin areas as well as in areas developed by bord and pillar method

III) Development and depillaring by SDLs/LHD’s.

IV) Opencast mining of developed and depillared pillars.

V) Open cast mining - deploying shovel, dumpers and draglines.

VI) Opencast mining – in-pit crushing and conveying of both coal and overburden.

To boost coal production, some of the underground workings partly developed and depillared by conventional mining in the past have been converted into opencast mines wherever the conditions are congenial. Similarly, Semi-mechanization is being introduced by SDL/LHDs not only in new projects but also in the existing projects through reconstruction projects.

Consequent to above efforts there has been a steady increase of coal production from opencast mines and underground mechanized mines. And there has been a sea change in the production pattern from various technology mix during the terminal years of Plan periods

Due to the very nature of the mine blocks mostly dictated by faulting, the SCCL could not go in for high capacity underground mines. Reserves amenable to opencasting are very limited in SCCL, the limitation being the low seam thickness of seams, steeper gradients and increasing at higher depths (at about 600 –1200m). These two limitations are leading to closure of mines due to depletion of reserves and sustained efforts have to be made to open new mines continuously year after year even to maintain the existing production level.

Assessment up to the end of XII Plan i.e.2016-17 has been undertaken which indicate that the level of production from the present operating mines will go down from about 31.5 t in the IX Plan to about 12 Mt by the end of XII Plan (2016-17).

This is an issue of serious concern for SCCL since it does not have any reasonable opencastable reserves for the replenishment of the loss of production from the present mines. In an overall scenario, the SCCL with its limited reserves, even considering the ongoing drilling program, will not be able to exceed some 36 Mt per annum as its optimum capacity. Even at this rate by the end of XII Plan the new production to be generated will come to about 24 Mt which is as good as opening new mines equal to the present company’s capacity.

SCCL has sought advanced technology from foreign countries by transfer of technologies through bilateral collaboration routes as below

The blasting gallery (BG) method, very suitable for working thick seams, was introduced in SCCL with the assistance of Charbonageous de France International (cdF) through bilateral assistance between Government of India and the Government of France. The first unit was introduced in GDK-10 inc. in 1989.The details of BG – Units in SCCL are mentioned in table here under.

SCCL has received equipment and technical assistance from the British Government through Over seas Development Aid(ODA) for the introduction of longwall.

The first longwall face was commissioned at GDK-7 Incline in September 1983.At present, in SCCL, there are 4 long wall units of British origin installed at various mines as shown below

The British side has also provided training and technical co-operation

SCCL has also acquired two longwall units and one trunk belt conveyor from CME, China and installed at Padmavathi Khani Kothagudem and the guaranteed production of 2700 tpd has been achieved.

However, these longwall units were procured under sellers credit and not under any bi-lateral agreement between the Government of China and Government of India. Both the longwalls are functioning normally.

Ramagundam OC-II Project under German collaboration,has been approved by the Government of India, which is almost completed at a cost of Rs.807.65 crores.

In pursuance of liberalised coal mining policy of the Government of India, SCCL has identified 7 geological blocks for possible development by the private sector for captive mining. However, no proposal has been mooted to the Screening Committee constituted by the Ministry of Coal, Government of India for the purpose of allocation of blocks to any private parties. SCCL is yet to work out a joint venture concept with private parties for developing new coal mines

@ Indicated reserveces

The production growth in sccl by the end of various plan periods is brought out here under:

Year wise production achieved during ix plan and projected during X, XI,XII plan