Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL), Miniratna, a public sector company under Coal India Limited, was set up in 1975. At present, it has 82 mines spread in 10 areas over Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. It also markets a strong customer base that includes, cement, steel, chemicals, fertilisers, paper, brick kilns etc. in South, North and Central India. Rajiv R Mishra, chairman and managing director, WCL, is confident that the company will augment the coal production by 50% in the next five years. Excerpts:
What is the focus of WCL?
Our focus is to expedite the opening of new coal projects with outstanding success. And on possession and acquisition of land for coal mines to augment the coal production by 50% by FY 2019-20 to reach 60 million tonnes annual output with a CAGR of 8.6% as against the present level of 41 million tonnes per annum. The goal attains significance if placed with the fact that Indian coal sector has been historically growing in single digit percentage per annum.
What are your targets during FY 2015-16?
This financial year, we have planned to ramp up WCL’s coal production to 45.50 million tonnes from the level of 41.15 million tonnes in FY 2014-15, ie increase of 4.35 MT with a record growth of 10.6%. The composite volume of excavation is planned to increase by 28% in 2015-16. Total 26 projects are planned to be opened for increasing the production to 60 million tonnes, out of which three projects have been opened in 2015-16. Rest 21 are planned to be opened in balance 21 months till FY 2016-17. One project is planned to be opened every month.
Any plans for new mines?
All the mines to be opened every month in next two years have been identified; the detailed schedules, milestones and timelines have been prepared for the implementation of these projects with focus on accountability and are being closely monitored. For opening these projects 8,500 hectares of land is to be acquired. We have already acquired 6,300 hectares land and balance 2,200 hectares land will be acquired shortly.
Did you face any challenges?
We were able to win the acceptance of our most important stakeholders – project affected people (PAPs). Mutual trust and social acceptance is the key to the success of any mining company. Some long pending issues were amicably resolved and remedies were extended to the villagers/PAPs on the spot wherever possible.
What is the focus of WCL?
Our focus is to expedite the opening of new coal projects with outstanding success. And on possession and acquisition of land for coal mines to augment the coal production by 50% by FY 2019-20 to reach 60 million tonnes annual output with a CAGR of 8.6% as against the present level of 41 million tonnes per annum. The goal attains significance if placed with the fact that Indian coal sector has been historically growing in single digit percentage per annum.
What are your targets during FY 2015-16?
This financial year, we have planned to ramp up WCL’s coal production to 45.50 million tonnes from the level of 41.15 million tonnes in FY 2014-15, ie increase of 4.35 MT with a record growth of 10.6%. The composite volume of excavation is planned to increase by 28% in 2015-16. Total 26 projects are planned to be opened for increasing the production to 60 million tonnes, out of which three projects have been opened in 2015-16. Rest 21 are planned to be opened in balance 21 months till FY 2016-17. One project is planned to be opened every month.
Any plans for new mines?
All the mines to be opened every month in next two years have been identified; the detailed schedules, milestones and timelines have been prepared for the implementation of these projects with focus on accountability and are being closely monitored. For opening these projects 8,500 hectares of land is to be acquired. We have already acquired 6,300 hectares land and balance 2,200 hectares land will be acquired shortly.
Did you face any challenges?
We were able to win the acceptance of our most important stakeholders – project affected people (PAPs). Mutual trust and social acceptance is the key to the success of any mining company. Some long pending issues were amicably resolved and remedies were extended to the villagers/PAPs on the spot wherever possible.
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