Opencast mining ensures a quick and 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 SCCL has been operating underground coal mines for the last 119 years, it is only during the late 70s that the first Opencast mining project was initiated. SCCL has rightly given stress on underground mining activities since it does not have large deposits amenable for Opencast mining. The general stratigraphy 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 making it less feasible.

In order to make the Opencast proposals economically viable ,where stipping ratios are high ,draglines were introduced wherever conditions permitted. Higher capacity shovels were also considered. Ramagundam-OCP-I, Ramagundam OCP-III are working with draglines. Manugur OC-II,Ramagundam OCP-II,Ramagundam OCP-III,Medipalli-OCP and Gautham Khani OCP are working with 10 m³ electric rope/hydraulic shovels.

SCCL is planning to introduce 15 cu.mt. shovels and 100 Tonne dumpers in its future OC projects.

The obvious advantage of Opencast method attracted the attention of SCCL towards evacuation of developed pillars in the on-going mines, by Opencast. The first such project was Yellandu OC, followed by RGOC III, GK OC, COC, SRP OC.

Some more projects are about to be launched to extract coal from standing coal pillars, barriers, partitions ,etc., of old/closed mines.