Coal mining operations resume in Assam

OUR BUREAU

DIGBOI/TINSUKIA: Coal mining operations at North Eastern Coalfields (NEC) resumed on Saturday with the Union Minister of Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi inaugurated resumption of mining operations at Tikak colliery of the NEC.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was also present on the occasion.

"Today we have resumed mining operations at Tikak colliery and it is a very important step towards the development of the region. The coal quality of NEC is superior and it is in high demand by several of India's domestic industries," Joshi said.

Mining operations at NEC were halted owing to the non-availability of land for overburden dump and certain clearances. NEC currently operates in Tikak colliery in Margherita with two opencast projects (OCPs) – Tikak OCP and Tikak Extension OCP – with a combined coal production capacity of 04 lakh tonne per annum. NEC will also start producing coal from its Tirap OCP from the upcoming fiscal 22-23. NEC has planned to produce 10 lakh tonnes of coal from FY 23-24.

"Increased production in the mines will generate more revenues for the State Government, more employment for the people and also support small business activities while catering to the energy demand," Joshi added.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma thanked Union Minister Joshi for his proactive initiatives while resuming mining operations at Tikak Colliery. The Chief Minister also lauded the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that his vision for the growth of the region and his guidance was instrumental in opening mining operations again at North Eastern Coalfields today.

Stating that with the resumption of mining operations at Tikak Colliery, the State Government has fulfilled yet another promise made to the people in the run-up to the election, Sarma said that the Assam Government is committed to maintaining a balance between development and environment. "While operationalizing Tikak Colliery, we have ensured that mining activities continue in sync with nature," Sarma added.

"Our Government has extended all cooperation to Coal India Ltd. in resolving environmental and all other issues that stalled the functioning of the North Eastern Coalfields", the Chief Minister said.

Underlining the efforts of the Coal India management, Central government and State government while the resumption of mining operations of Tikak Colliery, Sarma observed that the productive result of this coordinated effort will open up employment generation in this sector once again. "This step was very important for the socio-economic development of the region, which has received a major boost today", the Chief Minister said.

Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of India's coal production. The company has produced 606.06 million tonnes of coal in the current fiscal till March 25, 2022. The company's coal production is up by 5%, relative to the same period of the last fiscal. The company's coal offtake till date is 649.65 million tonnes, up by 15% in comparison to the same period of the last fiscal. This is also the record coal offtake by the company in any financial year.

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