MCL to integrate three mines, develop two washeries in Lakhanpur

Belpahar, Lakhanpur and Lilari mines operate separately with 28.05 mtpa combined capacity

Lakhanpur coal mines area famed for producing power grade coal is poised for a makeover with Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) aiming to integrate three mines in the region to scale up annual mining capacity to 30 million tonne per annum (mtpa).

Presently, three mines- Belpahar, Lakhanpur and Lilari operate separately with a combined capacity of 28.05 mtpa.

"Our plan is to integrate three mines of Lakhanpur area by 2019-20. This will take up total normative coal mining capacity to 30 mtpa while peak capacity would be 37.5 mtpa. Two washeries- one 20 mtpa capacity and the second of 10 mtpa would also be set up in the area. The investment would be approximately Rs 3100 crore", said M G Brahmapurkar, general manager (Lakhanpur area), MCL.

The integration of coal mines and setting up washeries would need an additional 400 acres of land.

The first washery project is expected to be operational from October next year. MCL would be supplying washed coal to consumers in the power sector. Washing coal would entail an extra expenditure of Rs 90 per tonne for MCL. The Lakhanpur area produces G13 variety of coal used by the power sector.

In 2014-15, the Lakhanpur area supplied coal to 60 consumers, mostly in the power sector and a few cement and aluminium makers.