The SCCL had put up a pioneering effort in the introduction of mechanisation in coal mining industry in India. Continuous efforts have been made to replace progressively the conventional technology and to introduce modern machinery. Technology occupies the top position among the priorities of perspective plan and it certainly holds the key to the objectives and targets of the plan.

“The coal cutting machine –Gathering arm loader-shuttle car “ system of mechanisation along with belt conveyors for development of seams was successfully used by SCCL from the late 40s to the early 80s . This system of mechanisation was not adaptable for depillaring operations and therefore found only limited application in development of flat seams

Subsequently side dump 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 one in six 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.