In the last fiscal year, the Gevra opencast mine achieved a coal production milestone of 59 million tons, demonstrating its critical role in India’s energy landscape with sufficient coal reserves to meet the nation’s needs for the next decade.
In a significant development for India’s coal sector, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India based in Chhattisgarh, has secured prominent positions in the global rankings of largest coal mines, underscoring the country’s strides towards self-reliance in energy production.
According to a recent report by WorldAtlas.com, SECL’s Gevra and Kusmunda coal mines now hold the second and fourth spots respectively among the world’s 10 largest coal mines. Located in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh state, these mega projects collectively contribute over 100 million tons of coal annually, constituting about 10% of India’s total coal output.
Gevra opencast mine, inaugurated in 1981, boasts an impressive annual production capacity of 70 million tons. In the last fiscal year (FY 23-24), it achieved a coal production milestone of 59 million tons, demonstrating its critical role in India’s energy landscape with sufficient coal reserves to meet the nation’s needs for the next decade.
Following closely, the Kusmunda opencast mine also delivered exceptional performance by producing more than 50 million tons of coal in FY 23-24, making it the second Indian mine after Gevra to achieve this feat.
According to the Public Information Bureau, both mines are renowned for their adoption of advanced mining technologies aimed at sustainable and eco-friendly operations. SECL has deployed state-of-the-art machinery such as Surface Miners, which extract coal without the need for conventional blasting, thus reducing environmental impact.
Moreover, for overburden removal — a crucial process in mining to expose coal seams — these mines utilize some of the largest Heavy Earth Moving Machinery globally. This includes 240-ton dumpers, 42 cubic meters shovels, and innovative vertical rippers, ensuring efficient and blast-free operations.
Coal warriors
Dr. Prem Sagar Mishra, Chairman and Managing Director of SECL, expressed pride in Chhattisgarh’s achievement of housing two of the world’s largest coal mines. He acknowledged the pivotal support from the Coal Ministry, Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change, the State Government, Coal India, Indian Railways, and various stakeholders. Mishra also credited the dedication of SECL’s workforce, whom he hailed as “coal warriors,” for their relentless efforts in achieving this monumental feat.
The success of Gevra and Kusmunda mines underscores India’s strategic focus on enhancing domestic coal production to meet growing energy demands and bolstering the nation’s energy security amidst global transitions towards sustainable energy sources.
As India continues to expand its coal mining capabilities, these achievements mark a significant milestone towards achieving the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) in the energy sector.
