Opencast mining ensures a quick build-up of production ,large quantum of production and maximum possible recovery of coal. The constraint to the application of Opencast mining is the economic limits of stripping ratio and to some extent the damage to the surface environment

Though the SCCL has operated underground coal mines for the last 100 years, it is only during the late 70s that the first Opencast miming project was initiated. The SCCL has, rightly ,given stress on underground mining activities since it does not have large deposits amenable for Opencast mining. the general stratigraph of the coal bearing strata indicates that there are multiple seams with one to twelve meters thickness with considerable partings of sand stones varying from ten to seventy meters. The gradient of seams is around 1 in 4 to 1 in 6 in favorable areas. Such deposits are amenable for Opencast projectisation, but will have a higher stripping ratio of around 5m cube tone and consequently ,making it less feasible

In order to make the Opencast proposals economically viable, where stipping ratios are high , draglines were introduced wherever conditions permitted. And also higher capacity shovels were considered. Ramagundam-OCP-I ramagundam OCP-III and Khairagura OCP’s are planned with draglines. Manugure OC-II,ramagundam OCP-II,ramagundam OCP-III,Medipalli-OCP and Gautham Khani OCP are planned with 10 Mt cube electric rope/hydraulic shovels

The obvious advantage of Opencast method attracted the attention of SCCL towards evacuation of developed pillars in the on-going mines, by Opencast work. The feasibility report for the same operation was prepared and after obtaining sanction of the Government of India in 1983, it is being implemented successfully in Yellandu Opencast project.

Another project,namely,Ramagundam-OCP-III is under construction for opencasting of two large underground mine areas. The feasibility report for opencasting Gautham Khani mine is awaiting sanction from the Government of India.

While operating Yellandu Opencast project ,an attempt was made to open out the adjoining goaf areas and extract left out coal by Opencast. The attempt is successful and along with extraction of standing pillars, the adjoining goaf areas are also being continuously worked by Yellandu Opencast project. There are similar areas amenable for Opencast working, particularly around the abandoned mines of Yellandu and SCCL in future ,proposes to plan for and extract the standing coal pillars and goaf areas at shallow depths of the old /abandoned mines