To reduce human drudgery and to improve safety & productivity, SCCL has planned to gradually phase out Conventional Bord and Pillar method and to replace the same with Semi-Mechanisation.

The “Coal cutting machine-Gathering arm loader - Shuttle Car” system of mechanization along with belt conveyors for development of seams was successfully used by SCCL from the late 40s to the early 70s.This system of mechanization was not adaptable for depillaring operations and therefore found only limited application in development of flat seams.

Subsequently Side-Discharge-Loaders (SDL) and Load-Haul-Dumpers (LHD) which combine the operation of loading of coal at the face and transport by belt conveyors became available.SCCL introduced these machines in the years 1978 and 1979 respectively. LHDs are in use for mechanized depillaring operations since 1983.

SDLs and LHDs need gradients flatter than about 1 in 4 and 1 in 6 respectively for efficient operation and in view of the limited deposits with such gradients, application of these machines are not extended to all the underground mines.

During 2011-12, the production from SDLs & LHDs was 4.813MT & 1.760MT respectively.